Splurge vs. Steal Resort Edition: Charleston, SC

This week we zero in on one of the country’s oldest and most beloved port cities, South Carolina’s own Charleston. Originally founded as “Charles Town” to honor King Charles II of England, the historic town was recently voted America’s No.  1 Small City for the fifth year in a row!

From its cobblestone streets and pastel antebellum houses, to its elegant French Quarter and Battery districts, Charleston is a town filled with character and seaside charm. Whether it’s island hopping you’re after, or a desire to savor the heirloom culinary fare, there is something for everyone – including fabulous second homes for vacationers, or those looking to relocate or retire. Here we showcase the city’s hottest real estate in our latest Splurge vs. Steal featuring two Charleston properties that are equally refined and ideally located, but with very different price points.

Splurge: English Manor Style Lakefront With a Pool in Desirable Crescent Neighborhood for $4.695 Million

Feast your eyes on this incredible lakefront manor in Charleston’s highly desirable Crescent neighborhood! Prized for its convenient location less than 10 miles from the beach and just three miles from downtown Charleston, the Crescent neighborhood offers a variety of stately homes with a prime position along the Intracoastal Waterway – many featuring marsh and waterway views, and some with their own docks and private pools. Our splurge is no exception.

We adore its grand stone exterior reminiscent of an English Manor. It affords five bedrooms, five-full-and-three-half bathrooms with 8,260 square feet of exquisite luxury living and entertaining. The property description reads, “Completed in 2007, every minor detail of this home was painstakingly planned, from the extensive mahogany moulding and trim, to the outdoor kitchen and pool cabana, to the bright and airy home gym.”

The master suite is a head-turner, offering a cozy fireplace and private balcony, met by a well-appointed spa-like bath with dual powder rooms, heated floors, and towel warming drawers.

Additional custom touches include reclaimed antique heart pine floors and beams, Belgian leaded-glass windows, hand-cut stone exterior finishes, Crestron home automation system, a spectacular resort pool and loggia with outdoor kitchen, plus a three-stop private elevator. It also comes complete with a whole-house filtration system, whole-house generator, six Rinnai hot water heaters, and five HVAC systems – a must for those balmy Charleston summers. But those views! Nothing beats relaxing beneath the shade of mature trees, surrounded by waterfront views and blooming flowerbeds. To sum it up, this Charleston splurge is “the ultimate retreat for those who value the exceptional.”

13 Johnson Rd, Charleston, SC is currently listed for $4,695,000 by Dan Ravenel of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty. 

 

Steal: Renovated 1870 “South of Broad” Single Residence with Secluded English Garden for $1.35 Million

Our steal may have fewer beds and baths that our splurge, but it is a truly historic estate! Built in 1870, this historic gem is nestled in an ideal location, “South of Broad.” What is “South of Broad” you ask? Only the most desirable and distinctive address in all of Charleston! For centuries, this historic peninsula has been home to the Charleston elite, from grand old houses where George Washington slept, to mansions where Teddy Roosevelt socialized.

Located on the quiet end of historic Tradd Street, this single family home has been beautifully renovated and expanded several times over, while keeping its architectural integrity intact.

We learn from the description that it is home to many notable features including “Double Screened Piazzas, and a lovely walled English garden and fountain designed by renowned Charleston Landscape Architect Robert Chesnut.” Outside the copper lanterns were designed by the late John Gantt, who designed many of Downtown Charleston’s gas lights. It also affords off-street parking, and essential storm windows.

The impressive gourmet kitchen really caught our eye with its exposed brick and farm sink. It comes fully-equipped with a dual fuel antique replica Elvira stove, Fisher Paykal dishwasher drawers, SubZero fridge, Edgestar 55-bottle wine cooler, and gorgeous butcher block island. And when it’s time to unwind, the bedroom suites could not be more inviting.

Two gracious bedrooms, two-full-and-one-half bathrooms, and incredible spaces to entertain, round out the light and bright floor plan. For added space, the listing agent suggests turning the upper level office/study into a third bedroom and says, “If you are looking for a reasonably priced, fully upgraded Charleston single house — don’t miss seeing this!” We couldn’t agree more.

165 Tradd Street, Charleston, SC is currently listed for $1,350,000 by Middleton  Rutledge of Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty.

Which one could you fall head over heels for, the Splurge or the Steal? We would love to hear in the comments!