The Lantern Hotel Columbia
Raines Transforms a Historic Firehouse into a Boutique Hotel with a Purpose-Driven Mission
Raines, a leading hospitality management, development, and investment company, is proud to announce the official opening of The Lantern Columbia. Located in the heart of Columbia, SC's Vista neighborhood, the 59-key upscale boutique hotel marks a transformative moment for the city, breathing new life into the historic Columbia Central Fire Station while pioneering a groundbreaking model of inclusive employment.
Photo by Raines
A signature property in Raines' Woven portfolio of unique lifestyle hotels, The Lantern Columbia is an upscale accommodation, but even more so, it is a purpose-driven destination. 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 meaningful career pathways and gainful employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A Historic Landmark Reimagined
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. Across three historic buildings, mid-century modern interiors with a hearty dose of local inspiration, create a welcoming respite from city life.
At the heart of the property is Ladder 13, a signature restaurant serving spirited cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired fare with bold Lowcountry spirit. The F&B program is crafted by Kevin Johnson, a James Beard Award nominee with strong ties to the University of South Carolina and known for his celebrated restaurants, The Grocery in downtown Charleston and Lola Rose in Mount Pleasant.
Leadership with a Mission
Leading the team at The Lantern is general manager Rick Hayduk, a 35-year hospitality veteran with a specialized background in mission-driven leadership. Hayduk previously served as the opening GM for The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson, SC, where he worked with the ClemsonLIFE program to create an innovative employment model in which just about 30% of the staff were comprised of individuals with disabilities. Under his leadership, the hotel achieved a top 1% guest satisfaction ranking among 100,000 Expedia hotels, proving that purposeful employment and exceptional hospitality can coexist and elevate one another.
For Raines, the opening of The Lantern is a milestone that goes far beyond adding another property to its portfolio.