Charleston Town House

Our clients lived on one of the nearby beaches and wanted a small residence in the city for the winter months. They owned the existing property as well as the adjacent small historic house and 4-unit residential building. All properties were being used as rentals. The location is in the historic section of Charleston on one of its most beautiful streets. Across the street is an older home with wrought-iron fencing by Phillip Simmons, the noted Charleston African American craftsman.

The existing property was renovated many times in the past and most recently converted into a two-unit rental. It was not landmarked or architecturally distinguished. Our team quickly determined it was not financially feasible to renovate and was better to demolish and build a new house. The local zoning board allowed an as-of-right replacement structure of the same volume and height (plus whatever FEMA required for elevation above flood plain). Our team successfully secured permission to demolish the existing house from the City of Charleston Architectural Review Board.

The new house is proposed as a modern interpretation of a traditional Charleston infill row house, many of which are on this street. It is a simple two-story structure, raised above the flood plain and clad in a bright colored stucco with contemporary wrought iron detailing that is an homage to the Simmons work across the street. A high dramatic recess marks the entry. Interiors, despite the small footprint, are modern, open, and light filled. The rear yard of all three properties are reconfigured to accommodate required parking while allowing for a lush rear garden for the new house.