CAMDEN, S.C. (WIS) – The city of Camden is breathing new life into one of its most recognizable buildings.
The iconic Clock Tower building is being transformed into a boutique hotel—part of a larger push to revitalize downtown.
The Haigler Hotel Project is a $22 million investment that will bring a three-story development with 50 rooms and a restaurant to Broad Street.
At the center of the project is the building’s most defining feature, a historic clock tower more than 100 years old, topped with a weathervane honoring King Haigler. He was a noble Catawba chief who protected early settlers and remains a symbol of Camden.
For longtime residents, the building carries plenty of history. Downtown business owner Linda Rodgers remembers when it was a theater and department store.
“I’ve been on this street growing up as a child since 1958,” Rodgers said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes.”
The building had sat vacant for years—just steps away from Rodgers’ store. Now, she said she’s eager to see downtown take on new life.
“We’re very excited. It’s just going to have a place for people to stay downtown, be able to walk downtown,” she said.
Another downtown business owner, Jonathan Bazinet, said the hotel is just the beginning of the growth and transformation.
“I think it will be a really robust improvement to downtown. I think the big thing is (to) invigorate the economy downtown,” he said. “So, when you have that kind of big investment and you have the opportunity to hopefully have most of the rooms filled every night, that will be significant to our downtown.”
Camden Mayor Vincent Sheheen said the Haigler Hotel is more than a place for visitors—it’s a spark for future growth.
“The goal is to have development here that will allow people to work downtown, live downtown, walk and enjoy downtown,” he said. “So the hotel is for the visitors who come to experience, but we’ll also be developing living in downtown.”
The hotel is expected to open in 2027.
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