Renovated Historic Mill Becomes Student Housing for Newberry College

by Katie Sloan

Newberry, S.C. — Property originally built in 1912 has been renovated into student housing.


Newberry, S.C.
— Newberry College and the City of Newberry have renovated the historic Oakland Mill property, originally built in 1912, into partial student housing for the college. The building is located six-tenths of a mile from campus and will contain 29 new units in two- and four-bedroom suites as well as meeting rooms, study areas and a game lounge for students. Forty percent of the building will be used for student housing, which is ready for occupation this fall. The rest of the building will contain traditional apartments that will be completed in 2013.


West Electrical Contractors, Inc. purchased the downtown Newberry building, which sits on 16 acres, last May. They worked with the town, county, school district and Newberry College to submit plans to the National Department of Interior in Washington, D.C., for approval within the guidelines of the National Preservations Act. The Mill’s transition to residential housing served as a catalyst for improving sidewalks, lighting and landscaping.


“The Oakland Mill renovation has been a collaborative effort between West Electric, the College, city government and the community to provide distinct space for students and community members alike,” says Dr. Scott Koerwer, president of Newberry College. “By bringing a historic structure into the future with updates and renovations, we’re investing in our students all while improving the community as a whole.”

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