downtown neighborhoods Archives - Matt Anderson Properties

South of Broad

Broad Street Charleston, SC

Made famous by its historic architecture, the southern tip of Charleston’s downtown peninsula is home to a neighborhood known as South Of Broad. It is a special neighborhood tucked away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, but is just a short, beautiful walk away from everything the city has to offer. Located – as the name describes – South of Broad Street and stretching to the Battery, this coveted neighborhood boasts some of Charleston’s most expensive addresses. Some of the Oak and Palm trees are as old the architecture and the community takes great pride in preserving the neighborhood’s rich culture and history. Many of the homes have been passed down through families from generation to generation while a handful of properties have become historic landmarks open for public tours.

With residences dating back to the early 1700’s, a walk around South Of Broad is a like walking through pages of a history book. 71 Church Street (The Robert Brewton House), for example, is the oldest known home dating back to 1721. Today, the home is open for public tours 6 days a week!

Some of South of Broad’s defining characteristics include its cobblestoned streets, hidden alley ways and enchanting gardens. Both the architecture and landscape architecture in this famous Charleston neighborhood are thoughtfully designed and meticulously preserved. Each Spring and Fall, South Of Broad hosts its popular Home and Garden Tour so non-residents and tourists alike can get an inside look at the beauty within the homes! If you have ever seen photos or paintings of Charleston’s iconic, pastel colored homes by the water, you’ve had a glimpse of South Of Broad. The famous Lowcountry icon is known as Rainbow Row and some of the homes welcome visitors during the South Of Broad Home and Garden Tour!

South Of Broad doesn’t just boast beautiful homes and gardens, however. Walking along the Battery and overlooking the Charleston Harbor is a must-see experience and Waterfront Park is absolutely gorgeous year-round. Colonial Lake sits just north of Broad Street and is a great spot for a picnic or a jog.

[idx-listings tract=”South of Broad” count=”10″orderby=“DateAdded” showlargerphotos=”true”]

Golf communities in Charleston, SC:

[get_posts tag=”golf-communities” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”]

Deep water properties in Charleston, SC:

[get_posts tag=”deep-water” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”]

Feb 06

Wraggborough: The Garden District

Wraggborough Charleston, SC

Wraggborough

Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, SC – is a thriving neighborhood with beautiful, tree-lined streets and historic, thoughtfully-renovated homes. Wraggborough is unique because it boasts more green space than any other neighborhood in downtown Charleston, yet it is still just a 1-5 minute walk to all the restaurants, shops and nightlife that famous King Street has to offer.

History

Today’s Wraggborough in downtown Charleston, SC was once part of the extensive, peninsula land ownership of Joseph Wragg. When he divided his property among his heirs in 1758, it was his eldest son – John Wragg – who received the 79 acres that would eventually become Wraggborough. He died in 1796 without having children so in 1801, his siblings hired surveyor Joseph Purcell to lay streets on his portion of the land. These streets were named after each sibling: John, Judith, Mary, Ann, Charlotte, Elizabeth and Henrietta. One street remained and the Wragg family named it Chapel Street with the intention of building a chapel on the small square that sits at the intersection of Elizabeth, Chapel and John Streets. In 1801 – the same year the streets were laid – the Wragg family dedicated Wragg Mall and Wragg Square to the public and these remain today as open greens.

Location

Nestled in a prime location of peninsular Charleston, SC, Wraggborough is bound by Mary Street, King Street, Calhoun Street and the Cooper River, and includes:

· John Street

· Judith Street

· Mary Street

· Ann Street

· Charlotte Street

· Elizabeth Street

· Henrietta Street

· Chapel Street

While Wraggborough boasts its own charming green spaces – Wragg Mall and Wragg Square – it is within a 1-5 minute walk to the expansive and energetic Marion Square and all that upper King Street has to offer. Walk to neighborhood hot spots including Hall’s Chophouse, The Grocery, Cocktail Club and The Macintosh. Listen to live music while relaxing at local coffee shops, and shop at one of the many clothing or furniture boutiques that lines King Street.

Amenities

· Restaurants – Basil, Fish, Halls Chop House, The Macintosh, Monza Pizza, O-Ku, The Ordinary, Starz, Virginia’s on King

· Green Spaces – Marion Square, Wragg Mall, Wragg Square

Places to See

The Charleston Museum – Located between Wragg Mall and Wragg Square (360 Meeting Street), this is America’s first museum! Founded in 1773 by the Charleston Library Society and opened to the public in 1824, The Charleston Museum is regarded as one of the finest museums in America. Its focus now is to document the natural and cultural history of Charleston and the Lowcountry coastal region.

Aiken-Rhett House Museum – Located on 48 Elizabeth Street, this historic home was built in 1820 and was opened as a museum in 1975. For 142 years, this classic Charleston double remained in the hands of family descendants until being sold to The Charleston Museum. Now under the care of the Historic Charleston Foundation, the property is open to the public and offers guided, audio tours of the home and grounds.

Education

Wraggborough homes are zoned for Memminger Elementary School (K-6) and Burke High School (7-12). Within just a few miles of Wraggborough are a number of independent and parochial schools. Porter Gaud (co-education) and Ashley Hall (all girls) are two college-preparatory, independent schools for grades K-12, while Charleston Day School and Mason Preparatory School are co-educational, independent schools for grades K-8. All are located just minutes from this thriving neighborhood.

Fun Fact

Some Charlestonians also refer to Wraggborough as Mazyck-Wraggborough. Some even separate the neighborhoods completely into Mazyckborough and Wraggborough. In 1786, the same surveyor who would lay the streets for the Wragg family 10 years later, laid out a small portion of the neighborhood for Alexander Mazyck. This area is bounded by Chapel Street, Elizabeth Street and Calhoun Street.

Real Estate listing in Wraggborough downtown Charleston:

[idx-listings linkid=”383597″ count=”10″ showlargerphotos=”true”]

Golf communities in Charleston, SC:

[get_posts tag=”golf-communities” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”]

Deep water properties in Charleston, SC:

[get_posts tag=”deep-water” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”]

Nov 08

Downtown Charleston Continues Revitalization

Downtown Charleston

Downtown Charleston seems to be changing everyday. For visitors–and residents who haven’t been downtown in the last few months–the landscape of the peninsula is rapidly changing with much of the new construction and revitalization efforts centering on Upper King Street.

One exciting new real estate venture on the peninsula is the Gathering at Morris Square, which is a planned development of townhomes between Smith Street and Morris Street. Overseen by the same group that designed Mount Pleasant’s award-winning I’on neighborhood, the Gathering at Morris Square will have thirty-three different units; each includes classic Charleston architecture and detailing while including a more modern sensibility and amenities. The neighborhood was built around two existing parks, which ensures that residents have plenty of access to green space while living in the middle of all that downtown has to offer. In addition, the Gathering is located just four blocks off of the Upper King design district, so residents will be able to walk to local bakeries, stores, and restaurants. Three bedroom/ two-and-a-half bath townhomes begin around $450,000.

The Gathering is not the only new construction to come to the downtown area. The East Central Lofts, clearly visible from I-26 and the Cooper River Bridge, are situated on 274 Huger Street; they opened earlier this year. The Lofts include retail space on the bottom floor, in-house recreation courts, and an enclosed courtyard exclusively for residents. Another multi-family housing project, 400 Meeting Street, boasts new apartments aimed directly at Charleston’s large student population. Located just down the street from the Charleston School of Law, these apartments are an attractive options for College of Charleston, MUSC and CSOL students alike.

The peninsula can also look forward to two new hotel options in the coming years: The Spectator, at 67 State Street, and The Restoration on King, at 79 Wentworth Street. The Spectator will be convenient to the Market and all of the shopping and dining no East Bay, and will have around 40 rooms. Restoration on King will include a parking lot underneath the rooms for the ease of visiting guests.

Another new construction project has begun at the corner of King and Spring Streets; this mixed-use venture will include a Hyatt hotel, a parking garage, restaurants, and office space. Wildly popular restaurant The Ordinary (which is owned by the same dynamic duo as fellow downtown restaurant FIG) has already occupied a portion of this space. The entire project should be completed in 2015.

As each of these new projects is completed, the landscape of downtown Charleston will continue to evolve. If you’re interested in being a part of these exciting opportunities, contact Matt Anderson Properties for the latest real estate news.

Apr 01

Five Loaves Cafe Charleston South Carolina

Featured Neighborhood: Cannonborough Elliotborough

By Matt Anderson Properties Downtown Below the Crosstown, Featured Neighborhoods

Cannonborough Elliotborough Neighborhood Map Charleston South Carolina

Information provided by Matt Anderson Properties

Cannonborough

The neighborhood of Cannonborough runs east on Spring Street to Coming Street, south from Coming to Morris Street, west from Morris to Smith, south to Calhoun, and then west along Calhoun to the Ashley River. This area was acquired by Daniel Cannon sometime between 1762 and 1800, and was a marshy area lined with streams. Cannon, a carpenter, used the area to build two lumber mills near the Ashely River, one on Cannon Street and the other on Boundary Street. By the early 1800s, the marshes had been filled in and construction had begun on the main stately homes in the area. Most of these houses were found on what was then known as Pinckney Street (now Rutledge Avenue) because this area had the highest ground in the neighborhood. Jonathan Lucas eventually expanded Cannonborough to its current size, which includes Calhoun Street as the southernmost border. Lucas also oversaw the addition of rice and sawmills in the more low-lying areas.

Coming Street Image by Hannah Lane Photography

While Cannonborough is still a thriving area, the sawmills, rice mills and lumber yards of the past have been overtaken by state-of-the-art medical facilities, small businesses and refurbished historical homes. Cannonborough is most known for the Medical University of South Carolina campus, which resides almost wholly within the Cannonborough borders. Directly next door to the MUSC campus is Roper Hospital, one of the Charleston area’s best hospitals. Residents of Cannonborough are only minutes away from the best healthcare in the state, and it is no surprise that many of the homes in this area house medical students, residents, and physicians, and their families.

Five Loaves Cafe, an amazing local restaurant located in the heart of the Cannonbourough Elliotbourough District. Photo by HannahLane Photography .

Cannonborough also has many excellent shops, cafes and businesses throughout the neighborhood, especially along Spring Street, where the Spring-Cannon Corridor Plan is currently being put into place. This plan aims to increase the profile of the businesses currently on Spring and Cannon Streets, as well as making Cannonborough (and the neighboring Elliotborough) a draw for residents and visitors alike. Among the businesses along Spring Street in Cannonborough are Five Loaves Café, which specializes in gourmet sandwiches, soups and pastas, and Sugar Bakeshop, which offers homemade cakes, pastries, cupcakes and cookies to patrons.

Real Estate for Sale in Cannonborough

[idx-listings tract=”Cannonborough” orderby=”DateAdded” orderdir=”DESC” count=”16″ showlargerphotos=”true”]

Search For More Real Estate in Cannonborough

Sources:

Elliotborough

While Elliotborough is often lumped in with the larger, neighboring Cannonborough (as Cannon-Elliotborough or Cannonborough-Elliotborough), this small but promising area is poised to be the next up and coming area in the Charleston Peninsula Midtown. Bordered by Line Street, Coming Street, Spring Street and Rutledge Avenue, this neighborhood was surveyed by the Elliot (sometimes seen as “Elliott”) family in the 1770s. When Elliotborough began to grow, it eventually met Cannonborough to the west; now, the two neighborhoods often pool their resources to bring new residents, visitors and shoppers to the area.

Hominy Girll is also located in the heart of the Canonbourough Elliotbourough District. Photo by Hannah Lane Photography.

Recently, a major revitalization of Elliotborough has begun as a direct result of the Spring-Cannon Corridor Plan of 1998. This plan aims to support existing businesses as well as provide foot traffic for new ones; restoration and beautification of the historic homes in the area has also been a push through the Plan. The City of Charleston has also designated the area as a tax-increment area, which allows for a portion of the taxes paid in Elliotborough to go directly back into the neighborhood.

Karpeles Manuscript Museum photo by Hannah Lane Photography

All of this interest in Elliotborough has definitely paid off in the last decade. The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum (founded 1983) on Spring Street is the largest private collection of manuscripts in the world, and includes handwritten, original editions of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Einstein’s “E=mc²” equation. Among the newer businesses in Elliotborough are Xioa Bao Biscuit, which offers authentic cuisine from Vietnam, Thailand and other Asian countries, and Trattoria Lucca, an acclaimed Italian restaurant owned by the five-star rated chef at the now-defunct Woodlands restaurant and Inn in Summerville. Wildflour Pastry, at 73 Spring Street, offers gourmet sticky buns, coffee and baked goods to those who’ve found this gem.

Elliotborough has a long history in the Charleston community, but it looks as if the brightest chapter in this quaint Midtown neighborhood is just about to unfold.

Elliotborough Real Estate for Sale

[idx-listings tract=”Elliotborough” orderby=”DateAdded” orderdir=”DESC” count=”25″ showlargerphotos=”true”]

Search for More Real Estate in the Charleston Neighborhood of Elliotborough

Sources:

Search for Other Charleston Area Property

<h6><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Golf communities in Charleston, SC:</span></h6>
[get_posts tag=”golf-communities” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”] <h6><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Deep water properties in Charleston, SC:</span></h6>
[get_posts tag=”deep-water” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”]

Mar 29

Radcliffeborough Downtown Charleston- Featured Neighborhood

Featured Charleston Area Neighborhood: Radcliffeborough

Radcliffeborough

Information provided by Matt Anderson Properties

Located in midtown Charleston, the Radcliffeborough neighborhood is one of the peninsula’s most conveniently positioned residential areas to everything that downtown Charleston has to offer. Bordered by Morris Street to the north, King Street to the east, Rutledge Avenue to the west and Calhoun Street to the south, Radcliffeborough residents are only steps away from shopping and dining on King Street, cultural events at the College of Charleston, and the Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square.

This area was originally bought by Thomas Radcliffe, who oversaw the first survey of the suburb in 1786. After he was tragically lost at sea in 1806, his widow, Lucretia, took up the task of seeing Radcliffe’s vision through. Over time, this suburb grew into a hub of learning, as the College of Charleston grew steadily after its founding in 1770; Radcliffeborough actually borders the entrance to the College, and the famous Cistern at the heart of campus is only steps away from Radcliffeborough.

Now, students from College of Charleston have been joined by those at the Medical University of South Carolina, and the Charleston School of Law, and Radcliffeborough is a highly sought after area for undergraduate, law and professional students, and their families. Amongst the single family homes can be found several residence halls for the College of Charleston, as well as the stunning Ashley Hall campus, which provides a quality education for girls in kindergarten through twelfth grade. This focus on educational institutions is no more evident than in the Starbucks on the edge of Radcliffeborough (only one of two on the peninsula), where students of all ages and skill levels can be found quietly studying or meeting with professors.

St. Patricks Catholic Church photo by Hannahlane Photography

This portion of the Holy City has several churches that call the neighborhood home, including Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, the Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul’s (Episcopalian), and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. The appeal of this neighborhood mirrors the make-up of the churchgoers: there are long-time residents to Charleston side-by-side with students, young families and professionals, all of whom have been drawn to this beautiful and centrally located neighborhood in the heart of Charleston.

Sources:

Real Estate listings in Radcliffeborough downtown Charleston:

[idx-listings tract=”Radcliffeborough” orderby=”DateAdded” orderdir=”DESC” count=”25″ showlargerphotos=”true”]

See More Real Estate for Sale in Radcliffeborough

Golf communities in Charleston, SC:

[get_posts tag=”golf-communities” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”]

Deep water properties in Charleston, SC:

[get_posts tag=”deep-water” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”]

Mar 01

Ansonborough Charleston SC – Featured Neighborhood

Ansonborough

The Ansonborough community on the Charleston peninsula is one that most visitors to the area drive through on the way to the shopping district. But a quick pause in this area reveals the grace and beauty of the peninsula’s first suburb. Running from Meeting Street to the west, Market Street to the south, Concord Street to the east and John Street to the North, Ansonborough is home to thriving businesses, stunning homes, and tucked-away churches.

Aiken-Rhett House. Photo by Hannah Lane Photography

The original plot of land was deeded to immigrant Isaac Mazyk in 1696, who then sold the property to Thomas Gadsden. In 1726, Gadsden sold (or traded in a card game, depending on the version of the story you hear) the property to its namesake, Captain George Anson. Anson, who worked diligently to protect the Charleston coastline from pirates until the mid-1700s, helped shape this neighborhood into roughly the land area that we know it today. While the original area of Ansonborough was slightly more compact than the neighborhood today, it absorbed smaller, surrounding communities as Charleston grew.Most homes in the area were destroyed in the 1838 fire—one exception was the Aiken-Rhett House on Hasell Street—but Charleston rallied behind Ansonborough, and ultimately enough funds were raised to rebuilt the stately brick homes. After the Reconstruction, this area fell into disrepair, and remained so until the Historic Charleston Foundation took an interest in returning Ansonborough to its former glory in 1959. Through the efforts of the Foundation, over one hundred homes were saved and restored, a movement that paved the way for a complete revitalization of the community.

South Carolina Aquarium. Photo by Hannah Lane Photography

Now, the Ansonborough area is a hidden gem on Charleston’s peninsula. Many of its homes are only a few blocks from the restaurants and shops of Meeting and East Bay, but its location still ensures that residents and visitors alike remain secluded on its shady streets from the hustle and bustle of the main thoroughfares. This area has plenty to do and see within its borders, including Liberty Square—home of the South Carolina Aquarium, Spiritline Cruises and Fort Sumter Boat Tours. Ansonborough also has several historic homes available for touring, including the Manigault House (an excellent example of the Federal architectural style) and the Aiken-Rhett House. Aside from housing one of the few grocery stores on the peninsula (Harris Teeter), this neighborhood borders the shopping and dining on Market Street, so entertainment is always just a quick walk away.

Sources:

“History of Ansonborough and Nearby Neighborhoods.” Charleston County Public Library. http://www.ccpl.org/content.asp?id=15841&catID=6062&action=detail&parentID=6046

“Joseph Manigault House.” Charleston Museum. http://www.charlestonmuseum.org/joseph-manigault-house

“Map of Ansonborough, Charleston, SC.” Google Maps. https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&gbv=2&q=ansonborough+charleston+sc&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x88fe7a70e4a8cbad:0xb96ba761616c3a0,Ansonborough,+Charleston,+SC&gl=us&ei=p7IiUYeiNYL28wSLtYHQCg&ved=0CCwQ8gEoATAB

[idx-listings tract=”Ansonborough” orderby=”DateAdded” orderdir=”DESC” count=”25″ showlargerphotos=”true”]

Golf communities in Charleston, SC:

[get_posts tag=”golf-communities” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”]

Deep water properties in Charleston, SC:

[get_posts tag=”deep-water” numberposts=”10″ fields=”post_title”]

Jan 31

History of the American Theater – Upper King Street

If you’re shopping or dining on Upper King Street, you may pass the American Theater Chances are, there won’t be any movies advertised on its marquee or any “coming attraction” posters leading to the ticket booth. While this beautiful Art Deco building was once one of dozens of theaters lining King Street, the American Theater is now the only one left of its kind, the rest renovated or bulldozed to make way for new construction.

The American Theater and its Art Deco facade stands out against the more neoclassical architecture of the surrounding buildings on Upper King. Architect Augustus E. Constantine built the American during the early World War II years. Constantine, an immigrant from Greece, made his home in the South after graduating from Georgia Tech. He was heavily influenced by the architecture of his native country, and combined elements of Hellenic architecture with the modern Art Deco look of the time. While he was quite influential in contributing to the style of Charleston in the 40s and 50s, only a handful of his creations remain other than the American Theater Other notable Constantine building designs include the Chase Furniture building and 299 King Street (which currently houses the Quiksilver store).

The American opened in 1942, and was named in honor of the military men and women serving abroad during the Second World War. The first offering? The 1942 release of Joan of Ozark, starring Judy Canova and Joe E. Brown. It featured Art Deco details, including vaulted, gilded ceilings and milk glass chandeliers. The Theater remained open until 1977, when (along with the rest of Upper King) business tapered off and profits dropped sharply. In the late 1990s, the property was reopened as a dinner theater venue, where patrons could order food from roaming servers before and during the movie. Many contemporary movie goers will recognize the American Theater as one setting in the 2003 Nick Cassavetes’ movie, The Notebook, which stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. When Noah (Gosling) takes Allie (McAdams) out on a date, the two see a movie at the American with friends.

The venue was revised again in 2003 when it was converted to a rental property, where business meetings, private movie screenings and private events could take place. Today, the American continues its service to the Upper King area as an exclusive meeting space and premier wedding venue.

Sources:

“American Theater.” Cinema Treasures. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/283

“American Theater.” Patrick Properties Group. http://www.pphgcharleston.com/venues/view/american_theater

“Joan of Ozark.” Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034918/

Morris, George J. “Charleston’s Greek Heritage.” Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, 2008.

Walker, Kristin B. “Master Preservationist Program-Day Six. Preservation Law, Upper King St and a Challenge for Local Architects.” Charleston Inside Out blog. http://charlestoninsideout.net/master-preservationist-program-day-six-preservation-law-upper-king-st-and-a-challenge-for-local-architects. 2 March 2011.

[idx-listings community=”Chs-Peninsula Chas. Inside Of Crosstown” orderby=”DateAdded” orderdir=”DESC” count=”25″ showlargerphotos=”true”]

Jan 17

Upper King Street Revitalization

http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/mystery-software-company-coming-to-charleston/Content?oid=3632485. 24 Oct 2011.

King Street Charleston, SC

Considering the rise in business concentration and popularity of the area with shoppers, it’s not surprising that other businesses and investors want to bring their own additions to Upper King Street. Exciting things are in store for this retail and commercial corridor on the Charleston peninsula, as local officials and planners create a multi-use area for shoppers, diners, business people and visitors.

In early 2012, longtime Charleston major Joe Riley announced a massive future project for the continued revitalization of Upper King Street. This new vision for the area will include a 200-unit apartment complex, a hotel and commercial buildings, as well as additional retail stores and restaurants. Also on the table are plans for another parking garage and a possible switch in the traffic patterns to allow for more ease of movement on and around King Street. The main aim of these projects: to attract the foot traffic that Lower King and East Bay see on a daily basis.

An important addition to the new face of Upper King is the computer software company, “People Matter,” whose national headquarters relocation to 466 King Street will bring in over 250 jobs. Locals hope that the 18 million dollar project will encourage other technological-based companies to come to the area, and PeopleMatter CEO Nate DaPore has even spoken out in the belief that Charleston could become “Silicon Harbor” with the addition of other major tech companies. Another major anchor in the Upper King revitalization will be a 238-room hotel and 20,000 square foot retail and commercial area being developed by CC&T Real Estate Services. This complex will allow for new restaurants and retail shops, as well as office space above the ground floor stores. This massive project will run from Cannon Street to Spring Street along Upper King, and hopes to be to the area what the Charleston Place (formerly the Charleston Omni Hotel) was to Lower King.

The construction phases of the aforementioned projects should occur through 2013 with most ending by early 2014, which means that the place to watch in Charleston right now is Upper King Street.

Sources:

Bainum, Stephanie. “Upper King to Get Makeover.” ABC News4 Charleston website. http://www.abcnews4.com/story/16602460/upper-king-street-to-get-makeover. 25 Jan 2012.

Bowers, Paul. “Software Company People Matter Moving to Upper King.” Charleston City Paper.

Jan 13

A Brief History of Upper King Street