Around Charleston
1 - BLU is now PINK - Blu Beach Bar and Grill on Folly Rd closed for 2 days and reopened doused in pink paint and named Pinky’s on the Beach with new food and drink menus. CHECK OUT PINKY’S
2 - $50m Anonymous Donation - MUSC reported it received the largest donation in its history, $50m, from an anonymous donor. READ MORE
3 - Public Pet Microchip Scanners - Pet Helpers has installed its first community pet microchip scanner to speed up the return of lost pets so they can avoid spending a night in the shelter. CHECK IT OUT
Historic Home of the Week
176 Smith St. - Circa 1852 Charleston Single in the heart of the Cannonborough-Elliottborough neighborhood, just blocks away from MUSC & CofC. Perfectly updated with approved plans to expand the home.
2 Bed | 1.5 Bath | 1344 sqft | $1,185,000
Historic Charleston Foundation Files Appeal
657 King Street Hotel Proposal
In mid-May 2025, developers asked BAR-L for conceptual approval of a six-story hotel:Five stories visible on King Street, with a recessed sixth-floor penthouse
Parcel straddles both Height District 4 (street) and Height District 6 (interior)
Why HCF Is Concerned
Historic Charleston Foundation argues this design sidesteps split-zoning intent.City staff leaned on Sec. 54-103(c) (meant only for mapping “uncertainty”)
Zoning Map clearly shows the zoning boundary straight through the porject, no confusion to resolve
Charleston uses split zoning to balance street-level scale with interior density.
Height District 4 along primary streets preserves human-scale façades
Height District 6 farther back allows taller construction
Zoning Ordinance at a Glance
Key points from Sec. 54-103 govern height districts and appeals:(a) Boundaries follow lot lines, streets, centerlines, etc.
(b) Mapped lines run parallel at measured offsets
(c) If a lot is truly “split” and uncertain, lower limits prevail (within 50 ft)
(d) Board of Zoning Appeals makes final calls on disputes
What’s at Stake
Ignoring split zoning risks a wave of out-of-scale buildings along our historic corridors.Erodes the human-scale charm of King & Meeting Streets
Diminishes public right-of-way and Charleston’s character
HCF’s Legal Move
On June 13, 2025, HCF filed an appeal in the Ninth Judicial Circuit to overturn BAR’s decision.Asserts the Board misinterpreted the ordinance by letting the taller district “control” the whole lot
Seeks a court ruling to reinforce the boundary-based height limits
Key Quote
❝“The BAR’s action on 657 King Street essentially flies in the face of the height ordinance that codified that work.”
Winslow Hastie, HCF President & CEOWhat do you think the outcome should be?
Roper St. Francis Breaks Ground on New Hospital
Site & Date
Groundbreaking took place June 11 at the corner of Lacrosse Road and Mall Drive, near the I-26/I-526 interchange
Scope & Investment
$1.2 billion project spanning 27 acres, roughly the size of 20 football fields
Economic & Job Impact
Expected to drive $2.5 billion in regional economic growth and create 3,600 related jobs
Leadership & Vision
Over 350 Roper Hospital teammates, elected officials, and community leaders attended the ceremony
“We’re not just erecting walls and hallways,” said President & CEO Joseph DeLeon—“we’re building the next chapter of a nearly 2-century-old story…”
Campus Features
Full-service, 24-hour emergency department equipped for trauma and critical care
Multiple state-of-the-art operating rooms, including hybrid suites
Comfort-focused inpatient units and an outpatient medical office building
Vegetated green belt to link all campus facilities
Enhanced security systems with weapons-recognition technology
On-site café featuring rotating menus from local chefs
Design & Build Highlights
Clinicians logged over 550 hours in hands-on design sessions using mockups, VR tours, and 3D renderings
Facilities engineered to withstand floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes
Materials stats: enough concrete to fill 15.2 Olympic pools; steel weighing 1.4× the Eiffel Tower; foundation piles stretching King Street 12.5× over
204 Bellerive Lane, Summervile, SC 29483
6 beds | 4.5 baths | 3800 sqft
$769,000
Golf‐Course Lot: Positioned right on the tee box of Pine Forest Country Club for serene fairway views.
Dual Primary Suites: One on the main level and one upstairs, each with multiple closets and walk-ins.
Six Bedrooms: Plenty of room for family, guests, or a home office.
4.5 Baths: Four full baths (including a garden tub/shower) plus a convenient powder room.
~3,800 Sq Ft: Spacious two‐story layout with formal and informal gathering spaces.
Gourmet Eat‐In Kitchen: Center island, built-in electric oven and cooktop, pantry and seamless flow into the great room.
Great Room with Fireplace: High (9'+) vaulted ceilings, abundant windows, and cozy gas-log fireplace.
Finished Room over Garage (FROG): Ideal for a mother-in-law suite, bonus room or media space.
Recent Upgrades: New hardwood flooring, carpet, tile, and a modern paint palette throughout.
Outdoor Living: Front porch, rear deck, iron fencing, and direct access to golf-course amenities.
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In honor of the longest day of the year…
I’m going to write the shortest outro/thank you for my newsletter. Not much to say this week, other than to stay hydrated out there, and we’re getting ready to onboard 4-5 new clients by July. Both buyers and sellers. So if you’re considering a move between now and the beginning of next year, reply to this email and let’s schedule a call to see if we’re a good fit to work together.
-Bill Olson
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