Around Charleston
1 - $30M Healthcare Innovation Fund - MUSC has launched two new venture funds totaling $30 million aimed at accelerating healthcare innovation and stimulating economic development across the state. READ MORE
2 - Families on the Fly - TSA is rolling out a new program aimed at making family travel easier with dedicated family TSA lines, discounted TSA Pre-check, and more. And Charleston is one of the first airports to get it! LEARN MORE
3 - Charleston Grill Closing - After 36 years, the Charleston Grill is closing its doors, but plans are to reopen a fresh new concept as part of the major renovation of Charleston Place Hotel. READ MORE
4 - Restaurant Fights Back in ShrimpGate - Saltwater Cowboys on Shem Creek is fighting back over being named in the “ShrimpGate” scandal over the word “local” being a vague term. SHRIMPGATE SAGA
Historic Home of the Week
17 Wentworth - Circa 1840 Charleston Single in the historic Ansonborough neighborhood with attached kitchen house turned apartment, and conditioned basement space.
4 Bed | 4 Bath | 4756 sqft | $2,995,000
@the.bill.olson This Circa 1840 Charleston Single in the Ansonborough neighborhood has a basement, and to be honest, it gave me the creeps the first time ... See more
After 9 Months of Silence, We Have A Restoration Hardware Update
I know this isn’t the big update everyone has been waiting for…but it shows that the project is still moving forward. They are presenting their exterior lighting plan to the Board of Architectural Review at the August 13th meeting.
Purpose & Style
Accent lighting to highlight historic architectural details.
All fixtures: 2700K warm white, dimmable LEDs to match building character.
Lighting Details
Street Level (Pilasters):
FX1 fixtures with glare shields & hex cell louvers.
Provides a dim, ambient glow without affecting pedestrians.
Levels 2 & 3 (Windows):
Linear LED on windowsills to illuminate frames.
Creates a subtle façade glow.
Control System & Scenes
Centralized time-clock controlled preset scenes:
Scene 1 – Retail Day (7:00 am): Interior on, exterior off.
Scene 2 – Retail Night (15 min before sunset): Interior dims, exterior on at preset dimmed levels.
Scene 3 – Overnight (10:30 pm): All exterior lights off.
While this isn’t a huge update that most were hoping for, it does give us the first glimpse of their conceptual design in the meeting’s presentation slides, bringing new life into a long vacant building.
Proposed Private Dock Downtown
An application was submitted to the SC Dept of Environmental Services to construct a private dock where Broad Street meets Lockwood
The dock would be gated with a code only for owners and their guests.
The application didn’t specifically say who the “owners” are, but the property is owned by The Beach Company, which also owns and is developing the luxury rentals across Lockwood, The Charles
SCDES does not hold public input meetings…unless there is enough requests. (more on this below)
Dock Specifics
142-foot boardwalk, 40-foot ramp connecting to a 50-foot floating dock
33-foot covered pierhead
Has the public spoken?
The Historic Charleston Foundation, the Preservation Society of Charleston, and the Charleston Neighborhood Association began to campaign for residents to request a public hearing.
In less than a week, over 500 public comments were submitted to the SCDES in regards to the project (source: HCF)
The fate of the project has yet to be determined, and I will be sure to keep you updated.
I bring this project up this week because it is a true showing of how much people care about this city that we call home. While the window for this project comments has closed, remember you can make your voice heard locally by attending any public committee meeting or submitting a comment online or via email.
Each city/county handles public comments differently, so contact them or look at their website to find out how.
1022 Stono River Dr, Charleston, SC 29412
3 beds | 2.5 baths | 1585 sqft
$609,000
If you've been looking for a James Island home that checks all the boxes, 1022 Stono River Drive might be the one. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on a quiet, dead end street in Riverland Crossing and gives you an easy, open concept layout with space to spread out. Step inside and you'll notice how the living room flows right into the dining area and kitchen. The vaulted ceiling and gas fireplace make it feel comfortable, and the kitchen with stainless steel appliances is ready for your next meal or gathering. Off the back, a fully conditioned sunroom offers a spot you can enjoy year-round, whether it's morning coffee, a reading nook, or a place to sit and watch the game. The primary bedroom is on the first floor, with two more bedrooms upstairs. Outside, the fenced backyard feels private and includes a workshop with full power, perfect for hobbies, storage, or even a home gym.
One of the best parts about this location is the access to the Riverland Drive multi-use path. From your front door, you are less than a half mile walk or bike ride straight into the James Island County Park, with its trails, dog park, climbing wall, and waterpark. And when you're ready for a beach day or night out, Folly Beach and downtown Charleston are both just minutes away.
Homes like this don't come up often. With its open concept layout, flexible spaces, and unbeatable access to parks, beaches, and downtown, 1022 Stono River Drive offers a lifestyle that's hard to match on James Island. Schedule a showing and see how easily this house could feel like home.
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Goodbye Summer, Hello Traffic
For some of us, kids go back to school this week. For others in the area, they went back to school last week. But one thing is for sure…summer is over. It’s back to a normal routine for parents, and more traffic for everyone. But that also means cooler weather is around the corner, something I am for sure looking forward to after these last few weeks. BUT…it’s still too early for pumpkin spice anything. I said what I said. So enjoy the cooling weather, drive safely with the added traffic and buses on the roads, and I’ll see you back in the newsletter next week, and over on Instagram every day! Shoot me a DM and say hi over there, I love hearing from you guys!
-Bill Olson
If you're looking 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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