May 23--FLORENCE, S.C. -- Hotel Florence and Victor's Bistro developers said their new complex, which opens for business Friday, will raise standards for downtown Florence.

What was once a vacant, dilapidated building has been renovated into a modern, historical anchor for the downtown through the vision of lawyer Ben Zeigler, architect Randy Key, Chris Scott of Pearce Land Co. LLC., restaurateur Tim Norwood and hotelier Grey Raines, along with Raines' uncle and father at Raines Development Group.

Norwood and Raines said the partnership's private investment is helping push the downtown revitalization momentum forward.

"It's having that private investment downtown that's the final missing piece," Raines said. "So we hope that momentum we've been able to help create will help move things forward."

With several mandated fa�ade restoration projects happening all around Hotel Florence, property owners are preparing for additional investments in the downtown area, which will see several businesses opening in the next two months.

"We have an obligation to Florence," Norwood said. "They believe in us and we have to deliver our product to meet what their expectations are, and I believe we're going to exceed those expectations."

Norwood said it isn't just about investing roughly $1 million into a new, larger restaurant that has indoor, outdoor, private and bar seating for nearly 300 with an expanded wine list, menu and staff; it's been about creating a lively downtown, reminiscent of his youth, for a new generation.

"What I was looking for, and looking to do, is to give Grey's generation a reason to stay in Florence and live in Florence and raise your children here," Norwood said. "So many times when the kids go to college, they don't come home; this is a reason to come home. They want a vibrant downtown and have a place to be proud of."

Hotel Florence is something to be proud of, the two said, and can be seen in details throughout the building -- modern features mixing with updated original finishings and fixtures in the roughly $7 million, 49-room hotel that tie in the city's and the building's history.

"Everything we've done is focused on Florence; it's not trying to bring Charleston to Florence or bring New York to Florence," Raines said. "Yeah, we've gotten inspiration from all those places, but in the end what we wanted to create was something unique to Florence and that told the story of Florence."

Each hotel room features luxurious bedding, flat-screen TVs, well-appointed bathrooms, shutter windows and the fastest wireless and hard-line internet in any hotel in Florence, according to developers. The rooms and suites range from $129 a night to $499 for the penthouse suite. Each opens onto fresh, original hardwood landings where seating areas with local art-lined walls are connected by a central staircase and the first Otis elevator produced in Florence.

The hotel and restaurant are still in training mode and will serve private guests Thursday before opening for business Friday. Victor's will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 6:30 a.m. until 10 or 11 p.m., with the bar staying open later.

Raines said the hotel and restaurant will maintain high standards even as it evolves over the days and months.

"I think we have (set the standard)," Raines said. "Not only do we now have the nicest restaurant in Florence with the coolest atmosphere and a great menu, but we have built the nicest hotel in Florence with every amenity you can think of and every service, and the service is what's going to set the standard."

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