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CHARLESTON AREALISTINGS

Luxury Properties and a little story about Charleston SC

Charleston is widely regarded as the most beautiful and historic city in America primarily because of its distinctive real estate and grande Southern Plantations. Since its founding in 1670, Charleston has played many pivotal roles in the course of American history. Lovingly preserved houses, churches, luxury homes, fine Charleston real estate and public buildings line the tree-shaded streets.

Historic Charleston Gas Lamps
Charleston Photography by Michael Mulligan

Broad Street is a social line of demarcation that runs from river to river across the whole peninsula. From the original settlers until today, the folks who live on the south side are referred as S.O.B.s, derived from South Of Broad. This is where the more exclusive luxury homes of Charleston were built, including those along the beautiful South and East Battery and the famous Rainbow Row.

The latter got its name from its distinctive pastel colors. One story has it that a retired dentist painted his house pink, since he looked at pink all his working life. The neighbors then chose other distinctive colors to identify their homes. At the very south end of the city is the Battery. At one time, an array of artillery along the Battery waterfront defended the city from invaders, and there were many of them, but neither pirates nor the British nor Union warships were any match for the cannons of the Battery. Originally, the Charleston peninsula was a series of ridges with low areas in between. The tidal waters once ebbed and flowed through the low areas, but over the years these ditches and tidal ponds were filled in and became more usable real estate.

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Many of the north-south roads follow those old low areas and are home to some of the most impressive luxury real estate. Rather than stumbling around the narrow and sometimes one-way streets to find things of interest, it is much easier to make your first stop the Visitors Center at 375 Meeting Street, downtown. There, you will learn more of what may interest your family in the shortest possible time. Tours, offered by many companies, leave the Visitors Center at regular 15 to 30 minute intervals. You can choose, too, from a variety of conveyances, from guided walking tour to horse drawn carriages to limousines and buses. However you decide to tour this magical city, be sure to tour at least a few of the luxury homes on the Battery. The real estate is impressive indeed. Other downtown Charleston attractions include the Old Cotton Exchange and Provost Dungeon.

Charleston Waterfront Park
Charleston Photography by Michael Mulligan

You can experience the beautiful Waterfront Park, located off East Bay Street on Concord Street. Relax on a bench or lie in the grass and observe the ships that move in and out of the port almost constantly. Charleston Harbor boasts one of the largest capacity container ports on the east coast. Farther up Concord Street you will find the exciting South Carolina Aquarium and IMAX Theatre. The Aquarium takes you on a tour of all the state's aquatic life, starting in the mountains of the upstate area, through the Piedmont, Sand Hills, marshes and finally the coastal waters. If you enjoy shopping in the past, walk though the Market, where you'll find block after block of restored shops and high-end restaurants.

Historic Charleston Stucco Home
Charleston Photography by Michael Mulligan

Also available near the market area is the Gray Line's harbor tour, which takes you down past the Battery area and into the Ashley River. Watch for dolphins between the boat and shore as you cruise out past Fort Sumter, then past Patriots Point and under the large Cooper River bridges to watch container harbor operations on the Cooper River. Today the Cooper River Bridges have been replaced by the new Ravenel Bridge which Charlestonians consider one of the world's 7 wonders.

Ravenel Bridge
Charleston Photography by Michael Mulligan

Charleston is often called a living museum and nowhere is this more clearly reflected than in the lovingly preserved historic homes, churches and commercial buildings still in use today. The most prominent style of architecture was called the single house. The name comes from the fact that these houses are a only single room wide, with a piazza or porch down the side for outside entry into rooms toward the back.

Over the years, these porches or piazzas were covered, then even closed in. It is said that in the colony's early years, taxes were assessed by the number of rooms the house was wide on its street front. This created a preference for the long, narrow houses so typical of old Charleston. The rooms were prioritized with the more important near the street. Kitchens were separated from the houses by a mandatory three-foot firebreak for, after all, kitchens were known for fires. Behind the kitchens usually are servants' quarters and stables.

Some of these properties are now being sold as luxury condominiums. The real colonial status symbol was the rich landowner who would buy two single houses and combine them to make a double house with a long hall or covered piazza in the middle. (I guess the lure of single and double-wide homes lives on today.) The entryway to these houses had what are called double open arm staircases. We were told that these rounded stairs and banisters were shaped like open arms, welcoming guests. Men were required to enter up the left stairway and ladies on the right, so the men couldn't glimpse the ladies' ankles or petticoats. Now this is luxury!

Getting back to our geography lesson, to the east of Charleston proper, is the historic community of Mount Pleasant, just minutes from Charleston and the barrier island beaches, Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. From dining on delicious seafood along picturesque Shem Creek to bargaining for locally handcrafted sweetgrass baskets, there are many things to do in Mount Pleasant.

Shem Creek In Mount Pleasant
Charleston Photography by Michael Mulligan

The biggest attraction is the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, home of the historic World War II aircraft carrier Yorktown, CVA 10. She served gallantly at Midway and in many other Pacific battles throughout the war and is the oldest aircraft carrier still in existence. Another attraction, while on the east side of the Cooper River, is the Boone Hall Plantation.

Once comprising 17,000 acres, the current plantation covers some 738 acres of choice South Carolina soil. As you enter through the gates, you will find the world famous Avenue of Oaks, which leads to the house and gardens. Boone Hall was the setting for the popular TV mini-series, North South.

On the opposite side of the historic Charleston peninsula you will find the Route 17 James Island Bridge, which takes you to the original Charles Towne Landing. More than 300 years ago, colonists established the first permanent English settlement in the Carolinas on these grounds. Today, this protected historic site and nature preserve interpret the story of the 17th Century. A reproduction sailing vessel named Adventure emphasizes the importance of the sea and trade during that period. Also on this side of Charleston you will find Magnolia Gardens, Kiawah Island with its luxury properties and other historic waterfront luxury communities including Seabrook Island which is a luxury gated community and private resort.

A trip to Charleston wouldn't be complete without a discussion of the area's historic forts, which have been at the turning points of some of the nation's most important events. Ft. Moultrie was the site of the first decisive patriot victory of the American Revolution, and Ft. Sumter was the scene of the first shots of the Civil War. Boat tours are available to visit Ft. Sumter, leaving from Patriots Point. Historic Charleston has something for everyone. From the long-gone pirates to the visitors of today, everyone falls in love with this Lowcountry paradise. By the way, the first golf club in America was started back in 1786 on this very peninsula, near the grounds of the University of Charleston. It was said that George Washington shot 18 holes during his tour of the city in 1791. Wow.

Review fine Charleston SC real estate: Beach Homes, Waterfront property in the greater Charleston SC Area including Mount Pleasant real estate, Charleston beaches, waterfront homes, private Golf course Real Estate luxury oceanfront beach real estate and luxury homes on water, lake, river or tidal creek on John's Island and other nearby waterfront communities.. Million Dollar Real Estate and Daniel Island homes for sale are featuredon our luxury real estate sites.

We are Buyer Brokers in the greater Charleston SC real estate market specializing in fine properties and Luxury Real Estate. We have accredited Luxury Home Specialists in Charleston Luxury Properties.

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CHARLESTON --- SUNDAY TIMES viewed on Wednesday November 3, 2021

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