Orangeburg City Hall Adaptive Reuse Project Wins 2026 SC Biz News Top Projects Award
MOA Architecture-designed civic hub recognized for design excellence, innovation, and community impact
A downtown Orangeburg corner that sat vacant for years now serves as the front door to city government — and the design team behind that transformation has been recognized for it.
MOA Architecture, Inc. and project partners have been honored with a 2026 Top Projects Award from SC Biz News for the Orangeburg City Hall Adaptive Reuse Project, one of South Carolina's most significant building and construction achievements of the past year.
The award was announced by SC Biz News, a BridgeTower Media publication, which selects honorees based on excellence in design, construction innovation, collaboration, and meaningful contribution to the state's built environment.
From vacant bank to civic hub
Located at the corner of Russell and Broughton Streets in the heart of downtown Orangeburg, the project transformed a long-vacant former First Citizens Bank building into an 18,000 square-foot, three-story modern civic center. The renovation was taken down to the existing structural frame before being rebuilt — including the addition of a new third floor — to house all of the City of Orangeburg's municipal operations under one roof.
The result is a welcoming, functional space where residents and visitors can access every city service in a single location, while preserving an architecturally significant piece of Orangeburg's downtown fabric.
The Orangeburg City Hall project demonstrates the power of thoughtful design and adaptive reuse to strengthen a community. By transforming a vacant downtown bank building into a vibrant civic space, the project preserves an important piece of Orangeburg's architectural fabric while supporting the continued revitalization of the city's historic core. We're grateful to the City of Orangeburg and our project partners for the opportunity to help create a place that will serve residents and visitors for generations.
Michael Allen, Founder and CEO of MOA Architecture.
A collaborative effort
The project brought together a multidisciplinary team committed to realizing the City's vision:
General Contractor: Mashburn Construction
Structural Engineer: MMSA
Civil Engineer: ADC Engineering
Landscape Architect: Outdoor Spatial Design
MEP Engineers: Devita
Interiors: Herald Office Solutions
"We're proud to partner with the City of Orangeburg to bring this important project to life for the community. Adaptive reuse projects are a true passion for our team, and we value the opportunity to work alongside community leaders to transform existing buildings into vibrant spaces that serve people in new and meaningful ways."
Lee Mashburn, President of Mashburn Construction
“Receiving the 2026 Top Projects Award from SC Biz News is a tremendous honor for the City of Orangeburg and a true testament to the vision, collaboration, and dedication that made the new City Hall possible. This project not only enhances how our city operates but also demonstrates the continued revitalization and promise of downtown Orangeburg."
City Administrator Sidney Evering, III
Recognized statewide
Honorees will be celebrated during an online video event on April 22 and featured in the April print edition of SC Biz News and on SCBiz.com. Projects were evaluated on criteria including degree of difficulty, creativity in design, innovative construction techniques, adaptive reuse, and sustainability efforts. All eligible projects were completed in South Carolina between January and December 2025.
The Orangeburg City Hall project is the latest example of MOA Architecture's commitment to designing civic and institutional spaces that are functional, inclusive, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.
“The 2026 Top Projects honorees are leaving a notable mark on the landscape of South Carolina. Their innovative projects feature quality design and construction in addition to creating jobs, building healthy spaces and helping businesses achieve their goals. SCBIZ is pleased to shine a spotlight on these individuals and organizations in the real estate community for their outstanding achievements.”
Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, Managing Director, BridgeTower Media / SCBIZ
View project photography and full details on the MOA Architecture website.
ABOUT CITY OF ORANGEBURG
Orangeburg, located in the heart of South Carolina, is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and strong sense of community. The home of two award-winning universities, Orangeburg has served a pivotal role in the education of the nation’s leaders in various industries. Affectionately known as “The Garden City,” the city is committed to enhancing the quality of life for its residents through progressive initiatives, investment in infrastructure, and fostering local partnerships. Visit https://www.orangeburg.sc.us/ for more information.
ABOUT MOA ARCHITECTURE, INC.
MOA Architecture, Inc. is a full-service architecture, interiors, planning, and owner's project management firm headquartered in Greenville, SC, with an office in Atlanta, GA. Beginning with stakeholder engagement and continuing through construction completion, MOA provides guidance and support through a comprehensive design process to create functional, inclusive, and sustainable built environments. For more information, visit moaarc.com.
ABOUT MASHBURN CONSTRUCTION
Mashburn Construction is a full-service construction company providing construction management, design-build, preconstruction and general contracting services. For over four decades, the company has exemplified Partnering to Deliver an Exceptional Building Experience by providing superior service and quality to clients across many markets. Headquartered in Columbia, Mashburn also has offices in Charleston, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach, SC. For more information, please visit www.MashburnConstruction.com.