The Heslep-Bernardin House, located at 203 Saluda Avenue in Columbia’s Wales Garden neighborhood, is a distinctive early twentieth-century residence traditionally dated to circa 1927. Constructed by Columbia contractor John Clifford Heslep, the house represents one of the city’s most elaborate interpretations of the Spanish Mission Revival style. Heslep was a prominent local builder whose work included the Richland County Courthouse and alterations to First Presbyterian Church, and his residential designs contributed significantly to Columbia’s architectural character during the first decades of the twentieth century. The two-story dwelling is notable for its stuccoed exterior, red clay tile roof, and picturesque massing, which combine to produce the romantic Mediterranean character associated with the Spanish Revival movement.

Architectural details give the Heslep-Bernardin House an especially strong visual presence within the Wales Garden neighborhood. The façade incorporates round-headed windows and arched openings, while balconies, projecting sun decks, and a prominent square tower create an asymmetrical yet carefully balanced composition. The use of pale stucco and red terra-cotta tile reinforces the Spanish-inspired aesthetic, while the varied rooflines and outdoor living spaces reflect the period’s interest in informal, climate-responsive residential design. The house is regarded by the City of Columbia as the most elaborate Spanish Mission Revival residence in the city and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Its architectural distinction, association with John C. Heslep, and prominent setting make the Heslep-Bernardin House an important example of Columbia’s 1920s residential development and of the city’s embrace of nationally popular revival styles.