Rendering
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG) today announced it will operate the forthcoming Haigler Hotel and its signature restaurant, a new boutique destination currently under construction in downtown Camden, South Carolina.
Attached to Camden’s historic clock tower building, the Haigler Hotel is slated to open in early 2027, marking a significant transformation of one of the city’s most iconic structures. Construction is officially underway following a groundbreaking ceremony in 2025, marking the start of a long-anticipated transformation.
The approximately 50-room boutique hotel will thoughtfully restore and repurpose the Clock Tower Complex, blending refined design with the equestrian heritage that honors Camden’s longstanding identity. The project’s vision is to create a welcoming destination for visitors and locals alike, enhancing Camden’s appeal as an idyllic weekend getaway. At the center of the project is the building’s most defining feature – a historic clock tower more than 100 years old, topped with an 1826 weathervane honoring King Haigler, a Catawba chief who protected early settlers and remains a symbol of Camden’s history and presiding spirit.
The project’s design and construction team includes architect Wentz Chesson and interior designer Daliana Shafner of Integrated Building Design, along with CPI Construction, the same firm behind The George Hotel in Georgetown, South Carolina. The project is being developed by Kershaw Hospitality LLC, led by Ben Zeigler and Philip Woollcott.
“The Haigler Hotel represents a beautiful intersection of history, hospitality, and place,” said Steve Palmer, Founder and Chief Vision Officer of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group. “We’re honored to bring our passion for boutique hotels and restaurants to Camden and help shape a gathering place that reflects the city’s enduring spirit and equestrian legacy.”
More than a hotel, The Haigler will also introduce a signature restaurant designed to serve as a social hub for the Camden community.
The restaurant will blend Southern sophistication with Americana charm, offering elevated but approachable classics with seasonal ingredients and local influences. The space evokes a refined, yet welcoming feel with warm wood tones, leather seating, brass accents, and subtle equestrian nods throughout. In addition to the restaurant, a cozy coffee bar will provide visitors with a casual morning retreat, rounding out the property’s sense of approachable luxury and genuine hospitality.
Construction crews have begun restoring the building’s exterior with new brickwork that complements the architectural style of the original Clock Tower. The hotel will also include flexible event space for weddings, conferences, and community gatherings.
“We’re not recreating the past, but reimagining it,” said Zeigler. “The Haigler will nod to the 19th-century opera house that once stood here while introducing modern design touches that fit Camden today.”
The Haigler will offer a sense of refined Southern charm, with its own regional influence reflected in textures, tones, and design details throughout the property.