Master Preservationist Program-Day One. Charting Charleston’s Past

In our first day of the Master Preservationist Program we spent our classroom session taking a look at Charleston’s maps since 1685. As I am very much a map person, my eyes were glued to the screen with rapt attention and I furiously took notes. Then the second half we visited 54 Tradd St and the Heyward-Washington House. Skip to...

The City Market becomes more Local

For years I’ve dreamt about the City Market becoming more than just a tourist destination selling schlocky knock-off purses, jewelry and kids clothes. I’ve envisioned a market more like Seattle’s Pike Place or New York’s Grand Central Market – with flowers and baked goods and local artisans. Much progress has been made in that direction as for the past...

I Used to Live in a House of Ill Repute

One of the best things about living in downtown Charleston is that not only are you surrounded by history all the time, but you also live in it too. Sometimes the locale can be of honorable historic significance, other times – not so much. One of my earlier homes in Charleston was a former brothel on Fulton St, next to...

So What is That Thing? The Old Brick Facade Behind Harris Teeter

If you live here or visited Charleston, you have probably biked or driven past this strange looking brick facade in ruins, right behind the Harris Teeter grocery store. What is it? you mutter to yourself…why is it still standing there all by itself? Photo by Leroy Burnell – Post and Courier That beautiful facade is the remnants of one of...

Loving Where We Live

One of our favorite local columnists, Ken Berger, penned this article this morning and I had to post it. It perfectly captures the feeling of living in Charleston. Read it and weep happy tears… Loving where we live By Ken Burger The Post and Courier Tuesday, May 25, 2010 As the afternoon sun sinks slowly behind the western edge of...

Classic 1930s Bungalow at 462 Huger St Charleston, SC in Hampton Park Terrace

I am so happy to represent this classic 1930s bungalow in Hampton Park Terrace, just one block from Hampton Park and a short bike ride to great shops and restaurants. 462 Huger St is a 3BR/2BA home with an enormous back yard and the kind of detailed style you find in homes of this era – plus all the modern...

Historic King Street in 1915

A friend of mine unearthed this great photo yesterday and I had to post it. Check out the trolley lines and the lights across the street. It’s amazing how much it looks the same, yet completely different. I do love it without cars and the sidewalks seem wider. Thanks to the site Shorpy for having this photo – they get...

Are you looking for a home with some Craftsman Style in Charleston? Here are five to see.

If you love the Craftsman style and want to live on the Charleston Peninsula, Wagener Terrace and North Central are chock-a-block full of cottages to be had. Most of the homes in these neighborhoods were built between 1940 and 1960 so you can get the charm of historic details with the solidity of older construction. 2917492 – Details: 858 RUTLEDGE...

My love of Charleston – from 13 years ago…

The other night, I was sitting on my piazza with a friend and just for kicks, we were going through our old diaries. I found an entry dated 10/8/1996, written a month and a half after I had left Charleston post-college, moved back to Atlanta and was contemplating what to do with my life. It rang so true still today,...

A grand Charleston estate for sale – The Sword Gate House

On this blog, I try to post properties which I consider to be special, unique or a deal you cannot miss. You will rarely see mention of something just because I or my company represents it. The Sword Gate House at 32 Legare, a grand Charleston estate for sale, meets the criteria for what I mention to you. This home...

Charleston is not Disneyworld

Resorts, hotels, golf courses, dining and entertainment, shopping galore and recreation for all!!! This is the call of two places that share much in common. Both are major tourist attractions, both see 100s of thousands of visitors a year, both are beautiful and cheerful and set your eyes agog with the veritable rainbow of colors lining their streets. But Disneyworld...

Architecture