It can take a long time to understand where all of Charleston’s condo buildings are, what they look like and how much condos cost.  I pulled together a map to help you navigate – and you’ll find luxury penthouse condos with water views at $4,000,000 and loft-style condos starting at $175,000.  There’s also a list below.

I’ve been inside one or more condos in 95% of these buildings – so if you have a question about the style or interiors – just ask!


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$280k-1.2m, Bee Street Lofts

Overlooking the Ashley River and the James Island Connector, these newly constructed condo buildings range in price from $280,000 to $1,200,000

Cigar Factory
Lofts built out of an old Cigar Factory – overlooking the Cooper River Bridge and the port. Construction is currently suspended for financing but I’ll keep you posted.

$364k-1.5m, Fort Sumter House
Fort Sumter House in Charleston is a former hotel built in the 1920s. Located at 1 King Street, across from historic White Point Gardens, the building has a commanding view of Charleston Harbor, the Battery and the Ashley River. Current prices range from $364,000-$1,549,000.

$550k, King St Lofts
These lofts are located in the burgeoning design and restaurant district of Upper King St. A 2BR is currently on the market for $550,000.

$524k-724k, 21 George St Condos
21 George St condos were built in 2006 and consist of 52 condos with balconies and garage parking. This is the ’sister’ building to 76 Society St. Current prices range from $524,000 to $724,000.

$563k-775k, 76 Society Street Condos
Slightly more upscale than its ’sister’ condos at 21 George St, 76 Society St has a total of 13 condos and garage parking. Current price ranges are $563,000-$775,000.

$385k-500k, 32 Vendue Range Condos
With 1 and 2BR flats, 32 Vendue Range condos are currently listed for $385,000-$500,000.

$849k-3m, One Vendue Range
Located right on Waterfront Park, One Vendue Range features four primarily brick buildings with coast stone and stucco accents, two private garden verandas, a shared roof deck and garage parking. Current prices range from $849,000-$3,000,000

$998k-2.2m, Concord & Cumberland
Built in 2007, some of these condos have views of Waterfront Park and the Charleston Harbor. Prices range from $998,000-$2,175,000.

$896k-$4.45m, Anson House Condominiums
Built in 2009, Anson House offers luxury living near the water. Prices range from $896,000 – $4,450,000 for the penthouse.

$1.15m-$2.45m, Laurens Place Condominiums
Built in 2000, most of the condos have views of the Charleston Harbor. Current prices range from $1,150,000-$2,450,000

$334k-2.2m, Dockside Condominiums
The tallest building on the Charleston Peninsula, Dockside has magnificent views of the Charleston Harbor. Built in 1979, these condos range from $334,000-$2,175,000

$359k-769k. 33 Calhoun Condos
33 Calhoun was built in 2006 and is comprised of two buildings with one large garage underneath. Prices range from $359,900-$769,500.

$298k and up, Baker House Condominiums
Once a tuberculosis hospital, the Baker House is located right on Colonial Lake and features a variety of condos 1-3BR. The larger ones rarely come on the market, but you can currently buy a ground floor 2BR for $298,000.

$210k-260k, 63 Rutledge Condos
Also known as the Berkeley Court Apartments, these condos are located right on Colonial Lake. While many of the condo still not not have central AC and heat, they are comparatively affordable for the location. Current prices range from $210,000 for a studio to $258,000 for a 1BR.

$247k-277k, Ashley House Condos
Built in 1975, this high-rise is popular with medical students given its proximity to MUSC, affordability and great views. Current prices range from $247,000-$277,000

$549k-775k, Crafts House
The Crafts house was a former school and was converted to condos with 12 ft ceilings and large windows. It sits on a large landscaped lot that is fully gated and secure. This building is pet-friendly! Current prices are $549,000-$795,000.

$895k-$1.9m, Davidson Lofts
This gorgeous modern lofts sit above Pottery Barn and most are currently being rented. Each has an outdoor roofdeck. When they were for sale, prices ranged from $895,000-$1,875,000.

$375k-1.15m, 4 Beaufain St
These 1 and 2BR lofts with exposed bricks are located right on King St over Banana Republic. The building is generally quiet and well run. Current prices range from $375,000-$1,145,000.

$495k-695k, Chisolm Lofts
The old Murray Vocational School and its Gym at 3 Chisolm Street was converted to condominiums in 2000. Many are in a loft style and most boast very high ceilings with lots of windows. Current prices range from $495,000-$695,000.

$430k-$1.25m, Bristol Condominiums
Located on the Ashley River with a marina, pool and various other amenities, The Bristol currently has condos for sale from $430,000 to $1,245,000.

$3M and up, Factor’s Walk
Located at 5 Middle Atlantic Wharf, these luxury condos in a four-story building are right on Waterfront Park. The Historic Factor’s Walk Townhomes are also part of the regime. One of the condos is currently on the market for $3,050,000.

$175k-375k, One Cool Blow
An environmentally friendly mixed-used development in a loft style with exposed duct work and concrete floors. 1-3BR condos are available and current prices range from $175,000-$375,000

$169k-249k, Francis Street Lofts
Located in a circa 1937 converted Baptist church, these ultra-modern lofts are single and multi-level. Current prices range from $169,000-$249,000.

$140k-280k, San Souci Condos
Brick townhomes and condos right on the Ashley River in a complex with a pool. Current prices range from $140,000-$280,000

$259k-$425k Bordeleaux
Built in 1967, these condos are located on lush grounds with a pool right on the Ashley River. Current prices range from $259,000-$425,000

The Charleston Trident Realtors Association just posted this great video giving an overview of Charleston’s 2009 Real Estate market. So click play and enjoy!

For those of you who might be from other places and don’t know about a Lowcountry oyster roast, they are a marvelous winter tradition.  Actually, you can have an oyster roast with our local abundant supply in any month that has an “R” in it but for some reason they taste better when there’s a bit of a chill in the air.  Couple with cocktail or hot sauce, perhaps a saltine cracker or two and a cold beer, these steamed oysters are heaven.

The end of January brings about the annual Boone Hall Oyster Roast.  This year a whole bunch of us from Dunes Properties volunteered to serve up the succulent bivalves to the 11,000 hungry attendees.  We wore black plastic aprons and gloves, and handed out steaming hot buckets of oysters hot off the press.  Here’s a picture of the roasters getting ready to roast.  You can see the beautiful oaks and the river in the background.

Ready to Roast!

Hop over to our company blog to see more pictures of the Oyster Roast in action!

Happy 2010 to all of you and your families!  I hope it has treated you well thus far and that you are well into your exciting plans and resolutions for the New Year.  It’s been a busy (and somewhat frigid) start to 2010 and the general feeling around town is positive.  I am excited to work with you this year!  If you know anyone who wants to visit Charleston or move here, please pass my name along to them.  You know I love to show people my favorite town.  In this January issue, you’ll find a new section called “Best Deals”.  Be sure to check the latest on my blog Charleston InsideOut.

Kindest regards,

Kristin Walker


February Events

Having just wrapped up Restaurant Week in Charleston – where you can have three courses for $30 at most of the great restaurants in Downtown Charleston, we are looking forward to February, which is the start of our Festival Season (which runs through July).  The season kicks off with the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition from February 12-14 and for the more musically inclined – check out the Southern Comfort Blues Bash, a 10 day celebration of Blues music from February 5-16.

Charleston in the News

Charleston Top City for New Business

From Portfolio.com, Charleston has been ranked #4 in the US as a top place to start a new business.

Charleston forges ahead on the Union Pier Plan
Union Pier is the area on the waterfront between the SC Aquarium area and Waterfront park.  With the coming of additional cruise ships to Charleston, this area and its renovation is among the hot topics with the locals.

Real Estate News

Charleston one of top 5 markets expected to rebound in 2010
December 28, 2009 – From SmartMoney Magazine, Charleston has been listed as 1 of 5 real estate markets expected to fare well in 2010.

Charleston County Foreclosures up 10% in December
January 14
Great news in the article above. But then there’s the ever-threatening bad
news.  We have no idea how foreclosures are going to affect the 2010 market – though
I can say they will be bad for sellers, but great for buyers.
Currently, in Downtown Charleston, the only properties on the auction
docket are condos, though what will happen this spring remains to be
seen.

Downtown Charleston Market Statistics for December

This link will open as a PDF! What I find most remarkable is the change in sales – up 450% over last December.  It’s hard not to go up when you’ve hit rock bottom.

Best Deals in Downtown
While there aren’t always properties
available that I consider to be a ‘good deal’, I thought I’d start this
section to post them when I find them.

Best 1-2 Bedroom Condo under $300,000

This condo sold in 2005 for $395,000, and since it
came back on the market has been reduced $200,000.  It’s hard to get a
great 1BR under $300k, much less a 2BR in a fantastic location.

2825328 – Details: 55 ASHLEY AVE, #3, CHARLESTON, SC – $298,000

Best 2 Bedroom Condo above $300,000

Even today, pricing for a new construction 2BR condo
in the heart of Downtown will run you at least $550,000 and on up.
This top floor condo at 76 Society St is coming up for auction very
soon with a bid price of $511,704.  Other comparable condos in this
building sold in the past two years for an average of $787,000.

2900948 – Details: 76 SOCIETY ST, #44, CHARLESTON, SC – $775,000

Best Rental Property

This single home plus carriage house has monthly
income of $2850 and is in a great location, convenient to all the
schools and King St.  It IS a short sale however so negotiating with
the banks might take some time.

2810155 – Details: 19 DUNCAN ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $350,000

Sold Downtown December 21, 2009 – January 21, 2010 (and another 55 are currently under contract)

Please note that if you’d like details for other areas, just let me know and I’d be happy to pull them for you.

2926321 – Details: 33 PITT ST, #1, CHARLESTON, SC – $174,000 2910734 – Details: 80 SOCIETY ST, #A, CHARLESTON, SC – $228,000
2917606 – Details: 33 PITT ST, #3, CHARLESTON, SC – $250,000 (My listing!)

2904223 – Details: 63 GADSDEN ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $250,000

2926058 – Details: 30 MARY ST, #3, CHARLESTON, SC – $252,000

2924535 – Details: 150 BEE ST, #608, CHARLESTON, SC – $329,900

2927389 – Details: 48 RADCLIFFE ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $352,500

2822111 – Details: 67 LEGARE ST, #103, CHARLESTON, SC – $375,000

2930489 – Details: 330 CONCORD ST, #18C, CHARLESTON, SC – $465,000

2736022 – Details: 6 WENTWORTH ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $820,000

2917015 – Details: 330 CONCORD ST, #17C, CHARLESTON, SC – $850,000

2905328 – Details: 106 KING ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $865,000

2913497 – Details: 61 TRADD ST, #1/2, CHARLESTON, SC – $900,000

2826418 – Details: 32 TRADD ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $975,000

2815479 – Details: 7 STOLLS ALY, CHARLESTON, SC – $1,200,000

2834215 – Details: 50 LAURENS ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $1,225,000

2915290 – Details: 32 PRIOLEAU ST, #J, CHARLESTON, SC – $1,480,000

2922790 – Details: 3 LEGARE ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $1,500,000

2910269 – Details: 85 TRADD ST, CHARLESTON, SC – $1,565,000

Or Click Here to go view all listings at once.

Thank you for our enjoyable exchanges.  Until next time…..Kristin

While I am lucky enough to help clients Pedal to Properties in Downtown Charleston, my wonderful colleague Adam Killermann shows real estate by bike at Folly Beach. It’s a great way to find your new home – so slow down! Enjoy the ride….

Disclaimer: I do live in Harleston Village and love every bit of it – but that’s not why I think (even KNOW) Harleston Village is the most family-friendly neighborhood in Downtown Charleston.  While each of the neighborhoods has its own distinct beauty and character (for descriptions check out my previous post), Harleston Village wins hands down because of its proximity to anything a family might want and the nature of its homes is just what a family would look for in a safe urban setting.  So here’s my list below – those of you who live here already, what did I forget?

  • Homes are priced from $500,000 all the way up to around $3,000,000 (versus starting at around $850,000 in the other neighborhoods south of Calhoun St)
  • Most homes have a fenced in yard or courtyard providing for kid-friendly playdates – outside!
  • Schools – You are walking distance to many of Downtown Charleston’s private and public schools.  Your little girl can even ride her Barbie Bike if she wants! (Yes, one of my friend’s 5 yr old does it gleefully).  Check out Ashley Hall, Mason Prep, Charleston Day School, and Memminger.
  • Grocery – If you run out of eggs or milk or Goldfish crackers (or just don’t feel like making dinner), you don’t have to mess with the carseat – you can walk to any one of the numerous corner stores in or near Harleston Village.  Check out Queen St Grocery, Bull St Gourmet, Burbages, Wentworth Station, Sergeant Jasper and more….Speaking of dinner, most restaurants Downtown deliver via Charleston Restaurant Runners.
  • Restaurants – And parents, if you want a night out – walk to Vickery’s for casual fare (and of course all the great restaurants King St has to offer) or dine in splendor at Circa 1886, one of Charleston’s AAA four diamond restaurants.
  • Parks – You can walk to some of the greatest parks in Downtown – some of them could be right outside your door.  Colonial Lake has stroller-friendly sidewalks and is about a half a mile around – great for walking with other Moms and Dads.  Moultrie Playground next to Colonial Lake has a fenced in playground, a baseball field, free tennis courts and a basketball court, good reasons to encourage your kids to put down that video game.  And the Horse Lot down the street is a wide open grassy space just for running around.
  • Fishing – You can fish.  Yes that’s right – you can teach your child to fish right Downtown.  Try Colonial Lake or even better, try the lake just off Halsey Blvd across from the Mason Preparatory School. If you really want to get serious, the City Marina is right around the corner and the Battery is too.

So I guess you can see here the theme is WALKING.  Charleston in general is one of this country’s most walkable towns, and Harleston Village as a neighborhood is one of the best of them.  Life experienced while walking is a lively, yet intimate one.  It creates happiness and lets your family experience growing up together in a whole new way.  Harleston Village provides for that kind of life in a beautiful and family-friendly setting, so why not give it a try??

2BR/2BA right on the lake!  Starting Feb 1 it is available unfurnished ($2200/month) or furnished ($2500/month).  Short term month-to-month leases are fine with us – just has to be a minimum of 30 days.   Hardwood floors, W/D, a view, great neighbors…it’s the works!

Here’s the post on Craigslist.

Living Room

First of all, this magazine of our surrounds, Charleston Magazine, is something to be proud of and look forward to.  Every issue succeeds in opening my eyes and my heart anew to this town.  The photography, writing and topics never fail to set my soul a-flutter.

Secondly, this January 2010 issue has to be my favorite of all time.  It features “Odes to the Lowcountry” – a collection of odes written by a variety of locals – both natives and those ‘from Off’.

Charleston Magazine January 2010 Cover

Read this one:  “Jazz – The protocol and improvisation of being Charleston” – written by Jack McCray, one of our town’s Jazz greats, whom inspired me to write a previous post.

Or try this one: “Secret Places – Finding wonder and welcome in Charleston’s hidden alleys” and create your own Charleston adventure.

Or a “Sensual Feast – the indoctrination of a Lowcountry voluptuary” and feel the extraordinary proximity of culture and nature in Charleston.

And if after all that – you want to write your own Lowcountry Ode, you can do that too.  You know all too well, that this town encourages, no – requires expression of all its magnificent wonders.

Update 1/12 – Wow.  Already under contract with multiple offers after only 6 days of being on the market.

While my area of specialty is Peninsular Charleston, my secondary area of focus is other neighborhoods and areas that are walkable/bikeable.  As such, I am well acquainted with Byrnes Down, a great neighborhood walking distance to the Avondale and South Windermere, only 5 minutes from downtown.  This little cutie at 4 Yeadon Ave came on the market recently and it’s a 2BR/1BA fixer upper (aka handyman special).  It is bank-owned and sold ‘as is’ but I think it’s got potential, don’t you?  Check out my video.

Here’s the link to the MLS listing.

According to the numbers at a macro level, Charleston’s median home price is generally sited to be somewhere between $180,000 and $250,000. However, as those of us who live here know, the median home price can vary significantly, neighborhood to neighborhood and block to block. The reality is that the median home prices for the various areas, range from $92,000-$1,762,500. That’s a huge difference!!

So here’s the real deal. Please note, these are median ASKING prices of homes currently on the market, and I only included areas within half-an-hour drive from Downtown Charleston – what most of us consider to be the ‘metro area’. The general rule is, the closer you are to the ocean or waterways the higher prices are – though you can find pockets of affordability in those areas.

Click each yellow home icon to see the area name and median asking price.


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