Chester SC revitalization: Developer aims to bring new life to vacant buildings

Gordon Rago
·3 min read

A decade ago, Kuester Commercial Real Estate began investing in downtown Fort Mill, S.C.

The first project was called The Greens at Fort Mill, a 64-unit, new apartment complex just off Main Street. From there, Shaw Kuester renovated two older buildings, bringing restaurants, a brewery and office space. Shaw took over operations of the company started by his father and grandfather in the 1970s in Charlotte.

Smaller markets like Fort Mill and Rock Hill have been benefiting from Charlotte’s massive growth, Kuester said, and he wanted his firm to be near the action. The formula aimed to bring more people to Fort Mill’s downtown by building apartments and attracting retail.

Now, Kuester is bringing that same playbook to Chester, about 30 miles down the road.

His firm has two historic buildings under contract. The plan is to redevelop both with apartments and retail, including a coffee shop.

Like many communities near Charlotte, Chester County has seen a wave of investment in the past decade. The trend is only accelerating coming out of the pandemic, as people and companies flock south for cheaper land prices and more taxpayer incentives.

In Chester County, Kuester was closely watching as companies like E. & J. Gallo — the world’s largest privately-held winery — opened an East Coast operation two years ago. Other recent announcements include a $1.3 billion investment from Albemarle Corp. to build a lithium hydroxide processing plant, mostly to be used for electric vehicles.

Kuester also paid attention to how home builders were investing in the county, building two subdivisions with 600 homes plus others being planned.

“The industry that’s coming back is the single biggest driver to Chester County,” Kuester said. “That’s what’s bringing new people and new homes.”

Shaw Kuester’s commercial real estate company began investing in Fort Mill, S.C. about a decade ago with by renovating historic properties for new uses. He’s taking that same playbook in Chester.
Shaw Kuester’s commercial real estate company began investing in Fort Mill, S.C. about a decade ago with by renovating historic properties for new uses. He’s taking that same playbook in Chester.

What Kuester is planning in SC

Kuester’s first project in Chester will be the 11,000-square-foot Schlosburg’s building.

The retail store dates back to the 1920s. The building has been home to an array of businesses over the years but has been shuttered for an extended period of time.

In December, Kuester plans to update the facade to its original 1920 look — thanks to a photo from the historical museum in town. The ground floor will have two commercial tenants, one of which will be a coffee shop, he said. The total project cost will be about $3.3 million.

Shaw Kuester’s firm plans to renovate the Schlosburg building on Gadsden Street in downtown Chester, South Carolina, with apartments and retail. He hopes it will attract new commercial and residential investment.
Shaw Kuester’s firm plans to renovate the Schlosburg building on Gadsden Street in downtown Chester, South Carolina, with apartments and retail. He hopes it will attract new commercial and residential investment.

The second floor will have about 10 apartments, ranging from 450- to 900-square-foot one- and two-bedroom units, he told Chester County Council members in July.

Up a few blocks, Kuester also is under contract to buy the Kimbrell’s building. This one is a bit older, dating back to the 1870s. As a history buff, Kuester loves that right out front of the building sits the Aaron Burr rock.

The former vice president famously killed his political rival, Alexander Hamilton, in a duel in 1804. The rock’s inscription reads that in 1806, while passing through Chester as a prisoner, Burr dismounted on the rock to “appeal in vain to the citizens for help.”

The Aaron Burr rock outside the Kimbrell’s building in downtown Chester, S.C. The rock’s inscription reads that in 1806, while passing through Chester as a prisoner, Burr dismounted on the rock to “appeal in vain to the citizens for help.”
The Aaron Burr rock outside the Kimbrell’s building in downtown Chester, S.C. The rock’s inscription reads that in 1806, while passing through Chester as a prisoner, Burr dismounted on the rock to “appeal in vain to the citizens for help.”

Kuester wants to bring the building back to life after sitting vacant.

He plans to restore the facade back to its original storefront. It will be renovated with about 15 apartments and a retail tenant downstairs. And he plans to invest about $4 million.

It’s all about bringing a mix of uses.

“That will get people walking in downtown,” Kuester said.

Shaw Kuester stands inside the 1920s Schlosburg’s building in downtown Chester, S.C. Kuester’s commercial real estate company is under contract to purchase and renovate the building with new apartments and retail, including a coffee shop. He credits the county’s economic development wins for investment.
Shaw Kuester stands inside the 1920s Schlosburg’s building in downtown Chester, S.C. Kuester’s commercial real estate company is under contract to purchase and renovate the building with new apartments and retail, including a coffee shop. He credits the county’s economic development wins for investment.