Notes from Bryan

Sandlapper Journal

A collection of observations on Charleston, real estate, history, planning, technology, and other subjects that pique my interests.
sand•lap•per
noun
An early regional name for a South Carolinian, especially one from the state’s sandhills and coastal regions.
  • Brick building partially covered in dense green ivy and kudzu vines, with a small doorway and paved path in front.
    April 11, 2020

    Invasive Plants – A Charleston Field Guide

    A homeowner’s guide to invasive plants in the Charleston Lowcountry. Learn to identify common invasive vines, trees, grasses, and aquatic plants before they become costly problems.
  • A Charleston Single house with four storeys, a red roof, brick fence, and green palmetto trees.
    February 24, 2015

    The Charleston Single House

    The Charleston Single House, unique to Charleston, SC, features a narrow, side-facing layout influenced by Caribbean architecture. Key design elements include side piazzas and central hallways. This style maximizes lot use, improves ventilation, and offers fire…
  • A distance view of several large homes with double porches as viewed from near a large live oak tree surrounded by shrubs.
    January 13, 2025

    2024 Charleston Real Estate Market Report

    The 2024 Charleston Real Estate Market Report with local analysis of home prices, inventory, sales trends, and what the year’s shifting market meant for buyers and sellers.
  • November 22, 2023

    Stamps and Coins

    The postage stamps, ranging from the Charleston Sesquicentennial in 1930 to the Poinsettia Day stamp in 2013, vividly depict significant events, landmarks, and cultural elements that define South Carolina.
  • Large homes positioned close together along the seawall of The Battery with palmetto trees and other greenery around them. The view is from the small beach in front of The Battery with a small bit of water that is lightly reflecting the homes above it.
    June 23, 2023

    Homes on The Battery

    Explore homes on the Battery in Charleston – including historic residences along East Battery Street, Murray Boulevard, and South Battery Street. Learn the difference between the High Battery and Low Battery, view current listings and recent…
  • An upward view of one tower of the Ravenel Bridge with lights shining on the tower and cables against a dark blue sky.
    June 8, 2022

    Bridges of Charleston County

    Charleston's bridges do more than move traffic from one peninsula or island to another – they shape commuting patterns, development pressure, evacuation routes, waterfront access, and the daily rhythm of life across the Lowcountry.
  • A wooden fence with the signage "West Ashley Greenway" with wild green shrubbery in the background.
    March 25, 2022

    West Ashley Greenway

    The West Ashley Greenway accommodates walkers, joggers, cyclists, and naturalists through more than ten miles of linear park, connecting a number of neighborhoods and business centers. Its path parallels that of Savannah Highway.
  • An artist's rendering of the proposed Gateway Walk Park and Liberty Center, a bricked walkway with outdoor cafe and people walking among many native plantings and trees
    September 1, 2021

    Liberty Center

    A proposed a plan to revamp the street level at 151 Meeting Street by activating its covered walkway flanked by stone pillars, which is already continuous with the city sidewalk beyond it.
  • A proposed development plan map for the Central Village of Goose Creek
    June 8, 2021

    A Walkable Goose Creek

  • A photo of astronaut Dr. Ron McNair standing next to a model of the Space Shuttle with an American flag behind him
    January 28, 2021

    Astronaut Ron McNair

    McNair's story is a testament to the transformative power of education, a beacon of hope for young minds across South Carolina, and a constant reminder that even in the face of adversity, the sky is not…
  • FEMA flood zone map showing X, AE, and VE on Sullivan's Island.
    August 12, 2020

    New Flood Zone Maps

    Updated flood zone maps for Charleston County will take effect in January 20211. The maps are based on more accurate data and methods that reflect the flood risks from storm surge, rainfall, and tidal forces2. The…