Sep. 4—The transformation of a former textile factory in Warrenville and its property into an apartment community is about to get officially underway.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Warren Mill Lofts project will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at 512 Trestle Pass.

Plans call for the preservation and renovation of the 190,677-square-foot Warren Mill and the addition of new structures on its 11.11-acre tract.

In all, there will be 205 luxury apartments — 139 "restored" units and 66 new construction units featuring one, two and three bedrooms, according to a recent news release.

Among the amenities will be a swimming pool, work-from-home spaces, a clubhouse and lounge, a fitness center and courtyards.

"The character of the original mill will be thoughtfully preserved, with distinctive design elements that include towering spaces, exposed beams and industrial accents," the release states.

In addition, exposed brick will showcase "the building's history, connecting the past with the present in a seamless fusion of architectural styles," according to the release. "The project's commitment to maintaining historical integrity is reflected in the preservation of iconic landmarks, such as two water towers and a one-of-a-kind smokestack that pay tribute to the mill's storied past."

Warren Mill, which has four floors, was built in the 1890s and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Charles Warren operated the factory as a cotton mill, according to a defunct newspaper known as the Aiken County Rambler.

The Graniteville Company later purchased the factory.

When it closed for good in 1982, Warren Mill was producing heavyweight denim.

Piedmont Private Equity LLC and Camden Management Partners, both based in Georgia, are spearheading the Warren Mill Lofts project.

"We are excited to celebrate this groundbreaking event as we take a significant step towards bringing Warren Mill Lofts to life," said Piedmont Private Equity's managing partner, Walter M. Hall III in a prepared statement. "This project represents a harmonious blend of historical significance and contemporary living, and we look forward to welcoming media representatives and esteemed guests to the event."

John Gumpert is Camden Management Partners' president.

BetschAssociates of Greenville is the architect.

RKW Residential will oversee the management and leasing of the Warren Mill Lofts apartments.

The company has corporate offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Miami, Florida, along with several regional offices.

Resident move-ins are expected to begin next year in the fall at Warren Mill Lofts.

"In the last two days, I have talked to probably 30 members of the community from all walks of life — pastors of local churches, ladies from sewing circles, people whose grandparents have worked for the mill and local businesses that have identified themselves as neighbors to our new mill property," said Piedmont Private Equity Director of Investment Relations Brice Hall on Aug. 31. "It's been overwhelming. Everybody is excited. We've done lots of real estate projects, but we've never had a community respond like this."

Warren Mill Invesco LLC purchased Warren Mill for $1.6 million in 2021 from Warren Mill LLC. At the time, Reggie Barner, a former CEO of the Aiken Housing Authority, was the registered agent for Warren Mill LLC.

In May of this year, the ownership of Warren Mill changed from Warren Mill Invesco LLC to Warren Mill Lofts LLC, according to Aiken County land records.