Lofts at King Mill, Chairman’s Award
The rehabilitation of the historic John P. King Mill in Augusta has transformed a deteriorated 1884 textile complex into a vibrant mixed-use community, while honoring its rich industrial past. Located between the Savannah River and the Augusta Canal, the 400,000 square foot site now houses 245 residential lofts and 15,000 square feet of commercial space. The project preserved original design elements—including brick facades, corbel details, wood subflooring, ceiling structures, and the original elevator core—while replacing missing components like windows and mechanical systems with historically sensitive alternatives.
Over 1,000 new windows were installed to match the original design, flooding the spacious lofts with natural light. Each mill building now serves a unique residential or community purpose, from apartments to co-working and fitness spaces. Significant effort was made to remove non-historic additions and stabilize damaged foundations. Community engagement, particularly from descendants of mill workers, has reinforced the project’s legacy. Supported by historic tax credits and the Augusta Downtown Development Authority, King Mill’s revitalization is a model of adaptive reuse that celebrates history while sparking neighborhood renewal.
The Chairman’s Award is presented at the sole discretion of the Georgia Trust Chairman of the Board of Trustees to recognize extraordinary efforts contributing to the preservation of Georgia’s historic resources.
