The Aiken Design Review Board gave its approval for exterior design changes at The Laureate Hotel on Aug. 4. This 87-room building will rise next to the historic Farmers & Merchants Bank building in downtown Aiken. Chad Ingram wanted to revise the Certificate of Appropriateness that officials issued back in January 2025. Architect McDonald Law explained how the redesign avoids a tricky renovation of the Park Avenue façade. Meeting spaces, a restaurant, a bar, and a workout room will sit inside the bank building.