Clemson’s first downtown hotel coming to life

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A boutique hotel is rising from the ground in a tight spot on Clemson’s College Avenue.

Mashburn Construction broke ground on Shepherd Hotel in November. Since then, Mashburn crews have been working on site to construct the 67-room hotel, according to a news release. The building will be located at 389 College Ave., the site of a former bank building on the town’s main street.

Mashburn was selected to construct the hotel because of the general contractors’ experience working within and around a complicated site, according to the news release. The project has no area for laydown and equipment. Additionally, the building is located only eight inches from the property line.

A key part of the hotel staff will be students from ClemsonLife, a program for young people with intellectual disabilities who want a college experience.

The Shepherd will be the first hotel in downtown Clemson and the first of its kind in the country to partner with a college program that engages those with intellectual and developmental challenges, according to the release.

The 50,738-square-foot hotel, its lobby restaurant, terrace bar and rooftop event space are scheduled to open in the summer of 2021.