ARK Development of Raleigh, N.C., has facilitated the acquisition of the Cambria Hotel Columbia Downtown the Vista. ARK Hospitality of Dallas, Texas, was retained to operate the South Carolina hotel and its restaurant and bar, Park and Lady. The third-party assignment expands ARK Hospitality’s portfolio of full-service hotels.
The 144-key hotel opened in 2022 and was acquired for $30 million. The full capital stack for the acquisition was secured within 45 days. The transaction is ARK Development’s fifth deal of 2026 and its first in the Carolinas.
“This Cambria’s current team and location position it to lead the market in performance while creating opportunities for positive community impact,” said Ed Denning, president of ARK Development. “Alongside serving guests visiting the area, we look forward to engaging with the local community—an important part of the value we seek to create for ARK and our partners.”
The hotel is in the Vista, a retail and entertainment district serving downtown Columbia. The University of South Carolina and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center are within walking distance, as are the South Carolina State Capitol and surrounding government agency offices.
The hotel is also near Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army’s largest and most active Basic Combat Training center, which positions it to serve service members and their families.
ARK Development is working to complete its sixth deal of 2026 before year-end. It also anticipates a possible soft opening of a seventh project, a historic renovation
