Tag: downtown Charleston

It’s no coincidence that Charleston has been named America’s Best City by Travel + Leisure for the past five years. With its urban amenities, quaint Southern style, and fascinating history, Charleston is a city that appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Downtown Charleston has a variety of neighborhoods that each present its own unique charm. From the famous and historic South of Broad neighborhood to the lively neighborhood of Harleston Village, you can easily find your own slice of Lowcountry living in the Holy City.

Ansonborough

Considered Charleston’s first suburb, Ansonborough is a historic neighborhood filled with elegant architecture and rich history. Although many tourists and commuters pass through the neighborhood as they head to the shopping district, Ansonborough is full of historic buildings and stunning views that beg to be admired.

Ansonborough is said to be named after Captain George Anson, who fiercely defended Charleston’s coastline from pirates. The neighborhood was first laid out in 1745-1746 and prospered until a fire destroyed the area in 1838.

Ansonborough was rebuilt, along with many of its now historic homes, including the William Rhett House—the oldest private residence in Charleston. Many of the buildings were rebuilt in a Greek architectural style, with grand columns and piazzas.

Today, Ansonborough has a reputation for its dedication to the arts. From ballet to opera to comedy, there is always some art form that is on display. This thriving neighborhood is also mere minutes away from shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.

What’s to Love: Ansonborough may be located in a bustling area, but the homes in this neighborhood are hidden under the shade of large oaks and palmetto trees. This diverse area includes both luxury condominiums and townhomes, as well as historic homes which are highly-sought after.

King Street Historic District

The King Street Historic District is a highly-sought after neighborhood — for good reason! You will find it all in this diverse, downtown area including dining, nightlife, shopping, and history.

This neighborhood is divided into three distinct areas: Upper King Street, which runs north of Calhoun Street, Middle King Street, which is known for being Charleston’s Fashion District, and Lower King Street, which is the Antiques District.

Although housing mostly includes condos and lofts above the storefronts in the commercial district, you will find historic homes in the King Street Historic District as well. Parking can be difficult in this area, so many residents don’t bother with cars and enjoy walking where they need to go.

What’s to Love: If you love being in the center of it all, you will enjoy living in the King Street Historic District. Young professionals are attracted to the area due to the modern amenities and upscale dining opportunities. You can’t go wrong with oyster bars, swanky cocktail clubs and local microbrews.

South of Broad

One of Charleston’s most notable neighborhoods, South of Broad is known for its famous historic homes such as Rainbow Row and the mansions overlooking The Battery. Located below Broad Street, this neighborhood offers history buffs the chance to step back in time and live in an area where horse-drawn carriages transported visitors across cobblestone streets.

With its elegant architecture and easy access to the Charleston Harbor, South of Broad is guaranteed to give you stunning views. It’s not surprising that so many people choose this neighborhood as their vacation home.

What’s to Love: It’s difficult to explore Charleston’s rich history in just one visit. By choosing to live South of Broad, you can take your time and uncover the Holy City’s fascinating history at your own pace. Even the locals haven’t experienced Charleston to its fullest, and you will learn something new with every outing.

Cannonborough/Elliotborough

Once two separate boroughs, the Cannonborough/Elliotborough was named after Daniel Cannon, a carpenter and mechanic who ran several mills in the area, and Colonel Barnard Elliot, a prominent member of the Provincial Congress. Considered a gateway to the Charleston Peninsula, it has transformed over the past decade, now considered as an up-and-coming neighborhood.

Today, Cannonborough/Elliotborough is home to a diverse mix of families and college students. Growth has exploded over the past decade, and commercial revitalization is taking over Spring Street and Cannon Street, leading to many unique and young businesses.

What’s to Love: You will find some great hole-in-the-wall places to eat in Cannonborough/Elliotborogh. Sugar, a bakeshop located on Cannon Street, is mere blocks away from Upper King Street and uses locally-sourced ingredients in their sweet treats. Trattoria Lucca has also made a name for itself as one of the best authentic Italian Restaurants around the region.

Besides the food, you will love how affordable the neighborhood, especially considering that it is located in downtown Charleston. Plus, the area has plenty of notable schools for families, both public and private.

French Quarter

Bordered by the Cooper River to the east, Broad Street to the south, Meeting Street to the west, and Market Street to the north, the French Quarter is “walled” within Charleston and is steeped in rich history. As you may have guessed, this neighborhood was named after the large number of French merchants who settled the area to escape religious persecution.

The French Quarter is distinguished by its Classic Revival style architecture, beautiful cobblestone streets, quaint theatres, and art galleries. Notable historic buildings include Pink House, the oldest stone house in Charleston (built in 1712) as well as one of the oldest buildings in South Carolina. You can explore Charleston’s rich military history at the Powder Magazine, the only remaining government building from the original Lords Proprietors.

This charming neighborhood is also home to Charleston’s Waterfront Park, which features plenty of fountains for the kids to splash around in and offers spectacular views of the Cooper River and Charleston Harbor.

What’s to Love: Along with its beautiful scenery and rich history, the French Quarter offers a place to live in relaxed luxury. One minute, you are strolling through the cobblestone streets and courtyard gardens, and the next minute, you are surrounded by modern amenities, including fashionable retail stores and fantastic dining opportunities.

This hidden gem of Charleston doesn’t have many single-family homes available, but there are plenty of condominiums in the French Quarter, some of which offer stunning views of the water.

Harleston Village

This thriving and diverse neighborhood has something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are searching for a historic home with Southern charm or a modern townhouse, you can find a healthy mix of both in this neighborhood.

Developed in the 18^th century, Harleston Village is nestled along the Ashley River and bordered by Calhoun Street, Broad Street, and King Street. Residents enjoy being within walking distance to shopping and fine dining opportunities, as well as Colonial Lake, a pedestrian-friendly area where many locals go for morning jogs.

Although this neighborhood boasts its fair share of historic buildings and antebellum homes, it attracts many modern professionals and families due to its proximity to prominent schools. Harleston Village is home to Mason Preparatory and Charleston Day, which are two of Charleston’s most prestigious private schools. It is also near the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina.

What’s to Love: Harleston Village offers many rewards for families, young professionals, and students. The neighborhood schools are top-notch and while there are a large number of modern amenities, you will still spot historic homes with elegant Georgian and Italian architecture throughout the neighborhood.

Radcliffeborough

Just north of Harleston Village is Radcliffeborough, a small yet vibrant neighborhood which, like Harleston Village, houses its fair share of doctors, students, and families. This dynamic neighborhood is home to Ashley Hall, the prestigious private school for girls, and is in close proximity to the Medical University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston.

Built in 1815, Radcliffeborough was originally farm land purchased by Thomas Radcliffe in 1786. Although Radcliffe was lost at sea in 1806, his wife, Lucretia, continued to develop the land.

Mrs. Radcliffe gave a large donation of land to the Third Episcopal Church, which was built in 1811. Now called the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, the beautiful church was nicknamed “The Planter’s Church” because it was largely used by the many rice planters in the area.

Many newly constructed homes share the same block with massive antebellum mansions, creating a unique neighborhood of history and modern amenities. Homes are generally more affordable in this neighborhood, compared to other downtown areas above Calhoun Street.

What’s to Love: Residents of Radcliffeborough enjoy strolling down to beautiful Marion Square, one of Charleston’s most beloved parks and home to the Charleston Farmer’s Market. Residents are also close to Upper King Street, which boasts some of Charleston’s best dining and nightlife.

Mazyck-Wraggborough

Often called the Garden District, the Mazyck-Wraggborough neighborhood has more public green space than any other area on the Charleston Peninsula. This peaceful area is situated between Calhoun, Mary, East Bay, and Meeting Streets, named after John Wragg, who inherited the land in from his father in the 18^th century.

Many of the streets are named after the Wragg descendants, such as Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Ann Street. The Wragg family later donated green spaces for public use, including the historic parks, Wragg Square and Wragg Mall.

Mazyck-Wraggborough was once a neighborhood for people who wanted to escape the busy city life, but much has changed since the 1800s. Today, the neighborhood attracts professionals, families, and students who want to live within walking distance of the finest Charleston eateries, the College of Charleston, entertainment, and easy access to Ravenel Bridge.

What’s to Love: Mazyck-Wraggborough residents enjoy the multiple parks and green spaces in the neighborhood. In addition to Wragg Square and Wragg Mall, the neighborhood is located near popular Marion Square, where residents can attend festivals or enjoy the balmy weather.

Final Words

The neighborhoods in downtown Charleston are so unique and diverse that it can be difficult to choose which one is best suited for you. Whether you are searching for a nice place to raise a family, a lively urban hub, or a place surrounded by natural splendor, the neighborhoods of downtown Charleston offer generous options that will suit even the most discerning palettes.

67 Warren Street, Downtown Charleston

This Luxurious Queen Anne style home, built in 1878, has undergone a massive renovation throughout the entirety of the home. This charming property features a completely redesigned kitchen, updated bathrooms, fireplaces, HVAC, ceiling fans, electrical wiring, plumbing, new decks, new painting and much more. The main house features a formal living room, formal traditional dining room, as well as a den and a third floor bonus room. The rear of the home consists of TWO Income-Generating, One bed/One bath apartments, both with kitchens, separate entrances & shared washer/dryer. This home ALSO includes an unfinished basement, uncommon in downtown Charleston. This prime location is walking distance to Upper King Street, MUSC, CofC, and Colonial Lake. Off-street parking for 3 cars. Contact Frank Taylor for more information.

This is a unique rental investment opportunity, or condominium conversion, in historic, downtown Charleston. Adjacent to the prestigious Wentworth Mansion, this Harleston Village property is a short walk to dining and shopping along King Street, as well as College of Charleston, and the Medical University of South Carolina. These rentals are fantastic for young professionals, medical students, or small families.

With a total of 16 bedrooms and rare 16 off-street parking spaces, these have the potential to produce more than $275,000 in annual gross revenues. There are 3 separate, adjacent fee-simple properties that allow for multiple objectives. Extensive renovations have been done over the past three years.  Listing includes 135.5, 137, & 139 Wentworth Street. The single family house is circa 1847 (form tax records) but the age is unknown on multi-unit properties.

If you are interested in this investment opportunity, or any other properties on the Charleston peninsula, stop by The Real Estate Studio or contact Chris Anderson.

Hampton Park via Instagram user @tracimagnus

Wagener Terrace is where downtown locals love to live. Away from the bustle of the more touristy parts of downtown, Wagener Terrace is an oasis filled with wide sidewalks, Spanish moss-covered live oaks, quiet living, and friendly neighbors, the latter of which range from families to young professionals. Still on the Charleston peninsula, Wagener Terrace is biking distance to the city’s theaters, antiques, shopping, and nightlife.

photo taken by @leahsuarez

But there’s still plenty of fun to be had within walking distance inside this serene pocket of the peninsula. These are just a few of our favorite things to do in and around Wagener Terrace:

Play:  The biggest highlight to living in this area has to be the accessibility to Hampton Park, which is below Wagener Terrace in the Hampton Park Terrace neighborhood. The largest park on the peninsula, Hampton Park is 60 acres of green space where locals jog, bike, walk dogs, picnic, and play. Weddings are held in the park’s picturesque gazebo, books are read by the fountain, and there are plans for an abandoned concessions stand at the park to be restored by the neighboring Park Cafe.

photo taken by: @theparkcafechs

Eat:  Speaking of Park Cafe, the bright, airy, and simplistic Rutledge Avenue restaurant is a neighborhood favorite for quality farm-to-table food, wine, and coffee. Just up the street, you’ll find Rutledge Cab Co., another popular local eatery and bar that’s half-owned by actor and Charleston local Bill Murray and features live local music each week. Very close to Wagener Terrace and Hampton Park Terrace is a trendy new spot called NoMo, where you’ll find tons of live music and great wings at Home Team BBQ, a killer brisket at Lewis’ Barbecue, a bar menu and brunch you won’t forget at Edmund’s Oast, and duck-fat fries, taxidermy, and good times at the Tattooed Moose.

photo taken by @tattooedmoose

Drink:  Also close to Hampton Park is Moe’s Crosstown Tavern, a buzzing local dive bar with great grub and a casual, unpretentious atmosphere. For a local craft beer, head straight to Wagener Terrace’s own Cooper River Brewing Co. on Mechanic Street, where you can get anything from a glass of Nitro Stout to a growler of IPA. If you’re in the mood for the lighter stuff, check out Huriyali Gardens, a vibrant wee juice haven on Huger Street with nutrient-rich, organic foods and juices and an adjacent garden that will make you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a magical hidden gem.

photo taken by @cherry_bryd

Dance:  If you’re in the mood for a boogie, head down to the nearby Faculty Lounge on Huger Street. Not only can you find a reason to dance on weekend nights, the Faculty Lounge also features a quality cocktail menu and a chic, local vibe every single evening.

photo taken by @russelldpowell

Shop:  Locals can bike to Food Lion on King Street, the only large-scale grocery store near the neighborhood. As far as any other types of shopping — be it organic foods or clothes or antiques — there are plenty of great spots a short drive away in either the Historic District or over the Ravenel Bridge in Mt. Pleasant.

If this sounds like your kind of neighborhood, stop by the Real Estate Studio and see what adorable bungalows are for sale!

There are so many fantastic restaurants in downtown Charleston and plenty of places to read about them! We don’t pretend to be culinary experts, and this is by no means a complete list of great downtown eateries. We do, however, have to find a place to lunch everyday near our downtown office, The Real Estate Studio. We thought a short series of some of our favorite spots would be fun to compile.

The Watch Rooftop Kitchen and Spirits sits on the top floor of the newly renovated The Restoration Hotel located at 79 Wentworth Street.  Enjoy 360 degree views of the Holy City while sipping a handcrafted cocktail or enjoying a skillfully prepared meal by Executive Chef Chad Anderson.  We had to try the cauliflower soup since it was actually recommended to us in the elevator ride to the 7th floor, and it was worthy of the praise. We also ordered the pimento cheese burger with house made pickles and it was the perfect size to split, especially the rich (and delicious) soup.  The food was great, but the real star here are the amazing views from every angle. We can’t wait for warmer happy hours on the deck and sunset vistas.

The steeple of Grace Episcopal is beautifully framed

You can even see the Ravenel Bridge from the corner of the deck

The Grand Bohemian Hotel brings bohemian elegance mixed with southern charm to the corner of Meeting and Wentworth Streets.  Dine on American cuisine while enjoying spectacular views of Historic Charleston from the 4th floor restaurant and bar Eleve.  The quirky interior boasts a super glam style, with mismatched chandeliers and brightly colored chairs and beautiful, luxurious finishes. The interior is flanked by two vibrant bars on either end, you can also take your drink outside while enjoying the fresh air on the funky rooftop terrace.  Afraid of heights?  Maison Cafe, on the first floor, is an adorable place to grab a quick lunch, delicious pastry, or a hot cup of coffee. It’s not quite as glamorous as it’s upstairs neighbor, but the food is great and the decor is clean and colorful.

The Rooftop Bar at Elevé with comfy seating and great views

One of two gorgeous bars in Elevé

Barony Tavern, at 68 Wentworth Street serves eclectic American cuisine created by Executive Chef and owner Robert Carter in a sophisticated hunting lodge inspired setting.  Some of the art was created by local artists and many of the taxidermy pieces came from a good friend of Carter himself.  Each piece brings a unique personality and flair to classic fine dining.  Barony Tavern is open for lunch, dinner, and of course cocktails. You owe it to yourself to try the toasted farro salad, and the grilled cheese (with pimento cheese and pepper jelly) is decadent and delicious. There’s even a fox wearing a monocle and bow tie, who oversees the action at the bar.  Bonus!

The handsome bar at Barony Tavern

Barony’s back dining room is warm and inviting

The HARLESTON row residences are located in historic Harleston Village, a vibrant and convenient neighborhood of Downtown Charleston. Just a few blocks to King Street shopping and restaurants, nearby parks, the City Marina, schools, tons of services and our highly-acclaimed hospitals, HARLESTON row is an urban dweller’s perfection.  Each of the six residences offers three bedrooms, three full baths and 1605 square feet of bright, contemporary space. A living roof with ample deck space for outdoor enjoyment, and a two-car garage make HARLESTON row one of the most unique offerings in all of Historic Charleston. Each of the rowhomes is fee-simple, with one shared wall, and a common driveway, ingress and egress.

All of the rowhomes have their exterior framing complete and Anderson Impact Resistant Windows in place.  Insulation is up, this is the last step before drywall can be put placed and interior features can be set.  A combination of batt and spray foam were used to insulate and sound proof the walls.  Estimated completion timeframe is February 2016.

Five of the six rowhomes are already under contract, that leaves one remaining-64A.  This spectacular home is listed for $789,000.  For more information contact the listing agent: Kristin B. Walker

With all there is to do in Charleston, South Carolina, it’s easy sometimes to just keep from getting overwhelmed and stay home. It can be exhausting deciding from your upteenth favorite restaurants, landmarks, stores, parks, activities, and more! But when the family comes visiting, you have to do some choosing.

When we loaded up the car with my sister and her two teenage sons, I started seeing Charleston through fresh eyes as we drove around. The beautiful points of the Ravenel Bridge among the fluffy clouds and blue sky, the excitement of seeing pelicans roosting or their vertical dive into the water for food, and witnessing a pod of dolphins swimming their way through the wake of a boat. I forget how clear the air is and that you can see for miles from nearly any point. Everywhere we went I remember saying “There’s the Sullivan’s Island lighthouse, the flags from Fort Sumter, the Ravenel Bridge, the spire from St. Philip’s Church downtown,” etc.

There is a view from almost every corner of something you want to take a photo of. There is so much American history (my sister put it so eloquently “Man, a lot of stuff happened in Charleston”) and  a feeling of “anything can happen here!” And the simplest, best, and free pleasure here is the beach. The beach kept us all, children and adults, entertained for hours three sunny days straight.

For a week straight I was overwhelmed with awe over all that is contained in this city that is really fairly small. The picture perfect beauty, the different characters walking the streets in the footsteps of history, and just all that Charleston ecompasses. The palmetto trees, the wildlife, the water, and the marshes. So much is here that is not found elsewhere. I guess you can say the same about almost every city, that there is something about it that makes it wonderful. But it’s more than wonderful. Charleston is magical. A gateway where the past, the present and future coexist and inspire.

After a week of eating copious amounts of awesome food, lounging on the beach, driving around  scoping out Army Wives filming locations, going on ghost tours, wandering around the alleys of downtown, visiting historical landmarks and more we were beat. But as my sister and the boys got into their car after a final goodbye, my husband and I thought to ourselves “We really need to do [all of that] more often.” But not after a week of long recuperative naps!

Flower box on Queen St. dowtown

Waterfront Park downtown Charleston  (beautiful on even a stormy day)

Pitt Street bridge park in Mt. Pleasant

-Rebecca Narkiewicz

On Logan Street between Broad and Queen in Harleston Village, just a few doors down from the Queen Street Grocery, this imaginative and generous man put this out in front of his home. Just one more reason I love living in this Harleston Village neighborhood.

I’ve actually learned that the Little Free Library is a worldwide project! This one at 65 Logan is the only one in Charleston so far, though there are several others in South Carolina.  You can find more information here. It’s pretty inspiring.

-Kristin Walker

kwalker@dunesproperties.com | (843) 412-3333

Here is an excerpt from the informative and entertaining blog of Kristin Walker, one of our Charleston Peninsula experts.  She does her research and she knows her stuff!

“In the past few months I have noticed a selection of homes and condos on the Charleston Peninsula come on the market, then go under contract in 45 days or less. These are not just bank-owned ones which are obviously priced to sell – rather they include a wide variety of styles, price ranges and locations.  So what does this tell me and you?  That all the places that have been sitting on the market for a VERY LONG TIME, have been sitting there for a reason – undesirable price, location or condition (or any combination thereof).  And more importantly, that when something comes up that is beautiful, well-priced and/or in high demand (or any combination thereof), it goes quickly.  So does this answer the burning question on everyone’s minds?

Have we hit the bottom of the real estate market in Charleston?

The answer is: It all depends.  If you consider the bottom only related to prices, then no, we haven’t hit the bottom yet.  If you factor in activity and competition as well, then I’d say the bottom was last winter.”

Want to see the list of properties that recently went under contract in 45 days or less?  Go to her Kristin’s Blog to check them out!

Perhaps you’ve seen this logo on the doors or windows of area businesses.

Have you ever wondered what it means? Lowcountry Local First is a group that advocates and promotes the benefits of a local living economy by strengthening community support of local independent businesses and farms.  Put simply, area businesses and residents are encouraged to “Shop local and buy local.”

As proud members and supports of Lowcountry Local First, the Dunes Properties Real Estate Studio hosted the Lowcountry Local First membership meeting last week.  The theme for the meeting was  “Show Your Local Love”  in honor of Valentine’s Day and the love was being spread around for sure!

Much lauded and nationally praised  O-Ku  provided various selections of their signature sushi while ICE BOX catering dished out their local love beverages.  Mount Pleasant’s very own YesUmay cookies were also a huge hit!  To keep with the valentines theme, LLF held their version of speed dating…. speed networking.

As a member ourself, it was an absolute pleasure to host LLF and all their guests.  For more information on how to make the shift to a local lifestyle, please visit www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org or find them on Facebook .

Check out the great fun courtesy of Lowcountry Local First’s Facebook page- thanks for sharing the photos!