FLORENCE, South Carolina—Raines announced the official opening of The Lantern Columbia, a 59-key boutique hotel in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Lantern Columbia is part of Raines’ Woven portfolio of lifestyle hotels. Through a strategic partnership with the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and the CarolinaLIFE program, the hotel provides career pathways and gainful employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“The Lantern Columbia represents the future of what we call ‘intentional hospitality,’” said David Tart, Raines managing partner. “We’ve taken a cherished local landmark and transformed it into a space that serves both guests and the community in truly remarkable ways. The collaboration between seasoned hospitality veterans, future hospitality leaders, and the students from CarolinaLIFE creates an atmosphere of genuine warmth that is unlike anything else in the market.”
A Reimagined Landmark
Situated steps from the State Capitol and the University of South Carolina, the property’s adaptive reuse efforts were led by Raines Development, with architecture by Garvin Design Group and construction by Mashburn Construction. The design honors the building’s legacy as a firehouse while introducing modern, boutique luxury.
The property includes Ladder 13, a signature restaurant serving cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired offerings with Lowcountry style. The F&B program is crafted by Kevin Johnson, who is known for his restaurants, The Grocery in downtown Charleston and Lola Rose in Mount Pleasant.
Leadership
Leading the team at The Lantern is general manager Rick Hayduk, a 35-year hospitality veteran. Hayduk previously served as the opening general manager for The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson, SC, where he worked with the ClemsonLIFE program to create an employment model in which about 30 percent of the staff were comprised of individuals with disabilities.
“The Lantern Columbia’s guest experience is defined by the unique culture we are building within these historic walls,” Hayduk said. “Having our team made up of local hospitality professionals, local individuals with disabilities, USC’s Hotel, Retail, and Sports Management students, and CarolinaLIFE students is a first, anywhere. We think it will portray the best of Columbia. Our ambition is to have guests of The Lantern and the patrons of Ladder 13 leave inspired, aside from having an incredible stay or dining experience.”
For Raines, the opening of The Lantern is a particularly meaningful milestone.
“This project is personal proof that high-end hospitality and meaningful community impact are not mutually exclusive,” said Grey Raines, Raines managing partner. “Seeing the historic Central Fire Station revitalized is incredible, but seeing our team—comprised of seasoned professionals and eager students from the HRSM and CarolinaLIFE programs—working side-by-side is the true achievement. We’re opening minds to what inclusive leadership looks like, right here in the Columbia community.”
