Around Charleston
1 - Resolution met in ShrimpGate - Mount Pleasant Seafood has reached a resolution with the South Carolina Shrimpers and reaffirmed their commitment to honest labeling. READ MORE
2 - Double the flights to Bermuda - BermudAir announced they are moving to twice-weekly flights from Charleston to Bermuda from August - October. Use promo code CHS25 for 25% off select flights in August! SEE DETAILS
3 - Charleston Dethroned - The most recent Travel + Leisure rankings have Charleston out of the #1 spot we’ve held for the past 12 years and dropping all the way down to #3! SEE WHO BEAT US
4 - Give me something to break! - iSmash is opening their first South Carolina location on James Island in the Food Lion shopping center on Folly Rd. BREAK STUFF
Historic Home of the Week
42 S Battery - Built Circa 1802, 59 years before the Civil War, this Charleston Single has incredible personality and style both inside and out. The gardens were designed by famed Charleston landscape architect Loutrel Briggs
4 Bed | 5 Bath | 4637 sqft | $6,980,000
@the.bill.olson This home was built 59 years BEFORE the Civil War and is less than a block from White Point Gardens in South of Broad. Listing Courtesy of... See more
Courier Square Phase 3 Will Transform Upper King & The Lowline
This past week, Courier Square Phase 3 went before the Board of Architectural Review - Large in a marathon of a meeting lasting over 5 hours.
The project was brought up for discussion across 5 agenda items, starting with the site master plan and then buildings 1-4.
Master Plan for a Mixed-Use Urban Gateway
📍134 Columbus Street
Final phase of Courier Square, anchoring Upper King and the Lowline.
Seeks conceptual approval for site-wide layout and vision.
Design Goals from PUD:
Diverse building shapes, materials, and rooflines.
Taller buildings are placed at corners and gateways.
Human-scale public spaces, pedestrian connectivity, and shaded walkways.
Lowline is treated as an active frontage.
Project Features:
48,000 sq ft of public space + 28,000 sq ft of Lowline improvements.
Public squares, widened sidewalks, and a central gathering space.
Four new buildings, each with a unique use and character.
Public & City Feedback:
Preservation Society of Charleston urged more street-level access
Historic Charleston Foundation praised design and density.
City staff supported massing and pedestrian focus.
🗳️ Vote: Conceptual approval passed 5–0
10-Story Hotel & Residential Building with Rooftop Amenities (Building 1)
📍South End, Lowline to King Street
Key Uses:
Hotel (floors 1–4), residential (floors 5–7), rooftop bar/pool.
Design Elements:
Traditional materials with modern form.
Features like step-out balconies, 15-ft setbacks, octagon corner element.
Inspired by Broad Street detailing and historic motifs.
Concerns Raised:
PSC: Continuous facade on Columbus, tower too dominant.
HCF: Tower needs erosion of mass and architectural refinement.
City & Board Comments:
Staff supported overall massing but requested a restudy of the tower top.
The board wanted a physical model at the next review.
🗳️ Vote: Conceptual approval passed 3–2
Civic "Meeting House" with Rooftop Bar & Landmark Arches (Building 2)
📍King Street Public Realm Anchor
Uses:
Two-story hospitality building with rooftop bar.
Retail/restaurant below, event space above.
Architectural Highlights:
Giant arched openings, open-air terrace, porch entry.
Modeled after Charleston landmark buildings like Market Hall.
Designed as a civic gateway into the project.
Public Comments:
The Preservation Society of Charleston supported the concept but pushed for more public space and design tweaks.
City & Board Response:
Staff supported unique scale and placement.
The board praised proportions and pedestrian friendliness.
🗳️ Vote: Conceptual approval passed 4–1
12-Story Residential & Retail Tower Anchoring Courier Square (Building 3)
📍King Street to Line Street, wrapping Watson’s Alley
Uses:
Largest mixed-use building with retail, restaurant, and residential.
12-story tower (Courier Tower) and multiple frontages.
Design Storylines:
“Classic King” Market Hall with transparent base.
“Courier Tower” with civic loggia and skyline cap.
“Lowline Landmark” with shaded loggia and skyline dissolution.
Brick, cast stone, and hidden parking throughout.
Public Feedback:
HCF: Recommended refining tower and enhancing skyline integration.
PSC: Supported variety and activation at ground level.
City & Board Response:
Praised articulation and public realm interaction.
The board liked King Street design but noted skyline transition issues.
🗳️ Vote: Conceptual approval passed 3–2
Office & Retail Cornerpiece with Iconic Glass & Brick Facade (Building 4)
📍Corner of King & Line Streets
Program:
Five-story office building with ground-level retail.
Double-height lobby, integrated parking access.
Design Features:
Chamfered civic corner visible from Septima Clark Parkway.
Brick arches below, glass/metal "dematerialized" upper stories.
Strong vertical elements with softened upper edges.
Community Concerns:
PSC worried about height next to a 2.5-story historic neighbor.
Suggested height reduction and deeper terraces.
City & Board Discussion:
Staff supported the massing and detailing approach.
Board debated corner feature, render accuracy, and cohesion.
🗳️ Vote: Conceptual approval passed 3–2
Due to the scale of this project, the decisions made here and the important decisions made as this project progresses could set new precedents for future projects, both large and small.
Check out the FULL presentation with sketches and renderings on the BAR-L agenda HERE. Forewarned, it’s a large presentation and could take a while to load.
192 Historic Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
4 beds | 2.5 baths | 1979 sqft
$950,000
This home is where charm, comfort, and thoughtful upgrades come together in one of Mount Pleasant's most desirable neighborhoods, Belle Hall. Inside, you will find a traditional floor plan with modern flair. The open-concept living space is perfect for both relaxing and entertaining. The kitchen features GE appliances, a custom espresso bar, and stylish finishes that make everyday routines feel like a treat. Step outside to your fenced-in backyard and covered patio, where spending time outdoors becomes seamless and flows right from the kitchen. Upstairs, the spacious primary suite is immaculate, complete with a large walk-in closet, double barn doors, and a beautifully designed en-suite bath. The Integrated tub-and-shower with modern, open-concept design will make your jaw drop. Two additional bedrooms are equally impressive, with elegant chandeliers and a guest bath finished with gold Moen hardware. The front room over the garage can be used as a flex space, office, playroom, or media center. This home is as functional as it is beautiful.
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I’m on TikTok now, too!
You may have noticed a new addition to the historic home of the week section of a full tour of the home on TikTok. Well, I’m excited to start down this new adventure of touring some of the historic and unique homes around Charleston over there. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I’ll be posting a home tour and talking about the house, its features, and its history. So if you’re on TikTok, head on over there and give me a follow and join me as I tour some of the historic properties of Charleston
-Bill Olson
If you're loo to buy or sell a home in Charleston, Bill Olson & Pirate Properties can help you. We’re fast, friendly, knowledgeable, and fun to work with. We’ve helped hundreds of clients in real estate. Click below and start viewing what's available in Charleston today, calculate your home’s value, or schedule a no-obligation, no-pressure discovery call.
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