"BUMPA'S RESTAURANT" 
5 CUMBERLAND, STREET, CHARLESTON SC
BUILDING RENOVATION AND NEW RESTAUARANT
Owners:  Kinsale, LLC
Contractor: Crest Construction
Project Completion Date: 2019

Project Overview

The project consisted of the renovation of Circa 1840'S historic masonry warehouse building and the design and construction of a restaurant.  The warehouse building sits on what was once the doorstep of the thriving Charleston shipping industry.  The roughly three thousand five hundred square foot single story brick structure was unique in its use of large timber-frame roof trusses that allowed an expansive clear span building width.  The building likely was principally used to warehouse cotton before being loaded on ships bound for England. 

The building owner agreed with the architect's recommendation, and it was decided that the building required complete renovation of the interior and exterior.  Recent non-historic construction was completely removed allowing for the original wood trusses and roof boards to be exposed.  It has never ceased to amaze me that the original brick and wood roof deck were covered and previously concealed, but this was the case. As someone with a deep appreciation in history and of historical artifacts, this seems to me analogous to wall papering over a Michelangelo fresco.  Once the demolition of the interior non-historic construction was complete, several layers of paint had to be removed from the trusses, the underside of the of roof deck and the brick walls.  Several roof deck boards had to be replaced, however the contractor was able to find similar boards and properly stain them to match the original wood.   It was additionally decided to remove the replace the first-floor concrete slab so new plumbing and electrical could be run to accommodate the new interior layout.  The interior design concept was to limit and contain the kitchen, bathrooms and mechanical systems in a single volume located on the Southeast corner of the space freeing up views to the newly exposed roof deck and trusses.  Additionally, the underside of the roof deck and inside of the exterior bricks walls carefully washed with indirect lighting.  A new custom bar with a black granite top was designed to visually anchor the West end of the space.  Custom benches integrate with and eclectic mix of period tables, seating and lighting with furniture selections ranging from Early American to Post Industrial.   The brick on the exterior was repointed and historically accurate shutters were designed for all of the windows and doors.  A new concrete sidewalk now graces the North side of the building and landscaping frames the East end of the structure.