WINNSBORO – A landmark of Winnsboro’s history is opening an exciting new era. The former Fairfield Inn, at 601 S. Congress St., is being transformed into Hotel Everett, a luxury boutique hotel, and Carlisle’s, a fine dining restaurant. Both are expected to open by the end of January, and 2026 bookings for weddings, corporate events and other gatherings are now available.

The Capstone Property Group purchased the property last year, along with a neighboring apartment building, and is completely renovating and restoring the hotel and grounds to the splendor of their turn-of-the-twentieth-century ambiance.

Opulent features like restored transom windows, period-significant doors, gas-lit fireplaces, rich wallpapers, Chesterfield sofas and other elegant furnishings bring a new spirit to the historic hotel.

Designed in the Italianate Revival style, the hotel was built in 1861 as a private home, became the Fairfield Inn in 1923, and was converted to a country club in 1956. The renovations included a full electrical update, HVAC and plumbing replacement.

“A lot of work was needed in there,” said Webb Yongue, Vice President of Capstone. “It’s come together even better than we originally imagined. We bought a significant number of antiques, mostly from R.H. Lee in Ridgeway. Since we used historic tax credits, it was very important to maintain the historic quality.”

At Hotel Everett, fine dining will return to Winnsboro for the first time in years with Carlisle’s, which will feature an upscale Southern menu of steaks, seafood and a Sunday brunch. It will be open for dinner from Wednesday through Saturday, and reservations are suggested.

“Chef Michael Rogers is from Charleston, and worked at some very nice restaurants there,” Yongue said. “He’s created a wonderful menu. It’s very high service oriented, so if a guest requests a gluten-free or vegetarian option, our chef can make something for them.”

There will be two dining rooms, Yongue said — a smaller one with a unique wallpaper of mythical animals such as unicorns, and a larger one painted in blue tones. Outdoor seating is also available. And a lounge – with antique sofas, a baby grand piano and live music on the weekends – is the perfect cozy setting for drinks and appetizers.

Behind the hotel, a picturesque stone bridge over a brook is framed by surrounding acres of oaks, pines and natural rock outcroppings.

“We’ve created a perfect outdoor space for wedding ceremonies and receptions, with a lovely view over the landscape,” Yongue said. “There’s a large outdoor fireplace and a concrete pad with string lights. We can put up a tent for events and accommodate groups of 100-150 people.

“Guest rooms in the main house are large, with 12-foot ceilings, beautiful bathrooms and showers with all-new custom tile. The rooms themselves are gorgeous, perfect for a wedding party,” he said.

“Hotel guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast service in the solarium. And for weddings and other events, we’ll have a full commercial kitchen on site for catering.”

Yongue said the last of the kitchen equipment will arrive in January.

“That’s really the only thing stopping us from opening the restaurant. The second floor of the house is pretty much finished, all painted. It looks beautiful.

“With all the industry here in Winnsboro and Fairfield County, there are not many available accommodations. People have had to go to Blythewood or Columbia,” he said. “So it’s great that Hotel Everett is right downtown, walkable from downtown Winnsboro.”

There are already several event reservations on the books, according to Yongue, and he said that gift certificates have been selling well over the holidays.

“There’s a nice buzz around town,” Yongue said. “People are excited. And we’re excited about creating something special for Winnsboro.”