Downtown Archives – Charleston Livability

Appréciation for French Cuisine in Charleston

February 3, 2021June 12, 2019 by Bryan McElveen

The Lowcountry of South Carolina presents a melange of international influences: African, French, Carribbean, Dutch, and English, all contributing elements of their unique cultures, traditions, and culinary elements. Very early in Charleston’s history, (at the time, the provincial colony of Charles Town) a ship full of French Protestants rolled into Charleston Harbor, fleeing persecution from both the Roman Catholic Church and …

New Mixed Use Building May Squeeze Onto Upper King Street

September 26, 2020May 15, 2019 by Bryan McElveen

Rendering of proposed building at 725 King Street by Neil Stevenson Architects

Recognizing the importance and benefits of weaving affordable residential housing into the evolving urban landscape, a proposal to the Board of Architectural Review would have a mixed use building squeeze into the vacant lot at 725 King Street. With less than 33 street-facing feet to work with, the proposed building has an efficient design to accommodate both commercial and residential …

A Walking Tour of Huger Street

September 26, 2020March 20, 2019 by Bryan McElveen

Bryan enjoying a frozen screwdriver at Taco Boy following a walking street tour of Huger Street

Join me on a walking tour of Huger Street as it crosses multiple boroughs in the upper peninsula of historic Charleston, South Carolina. In this video I discuss the revitalization occurring in this part of downtown, and the effects on various types of homes. Beginning in the North Central borough with a latte from an acclaimed local’s favorite, Huriyali, before …

Higher Density on the Charleston Eastside

September 26, 2020January 9, 2019 by Bryan McElveen

An aerial site map of 655 East Bay Street in Charleston, SC

A new infill development will soon be taking shape on the eastern edge of the Eastside borough on the historic Charleston peninsula. In a neighborhood composed mostly of Charleston Single Houses dating to the late 1800s, a dense, cohesive core of mixed uses has traditionally been lacking. In addition to a number of sporadically placed corner stores, restaurants, and venues …

Should Second Sunday on King Street be Every Day?

September 26, 2020March 7, 2018 by Bryan McElveen

People enjoying Second Sunday on King Street

The popularity of Second Sunday on King Street has illuminated a fundamental need: for the street to be a place in itself, not just a means to move traffic.

Living on King Street

September 26, 2020December 7, 2016 by Bryan McElveen

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qWURI5sz6w[/embedyt]

A glimpse into living on King Street in historic Charleston, SC, featuring examples of above-shop condominium villas and their recent pricing.

A Living Roof in Harleston Village

September 26, 2020April 13, 2016 by Bryan McElveen

New construction is a rare sight on the historic Charleston peninsula. When the opportunity arises to build on scarce vacant land, there is also the opportunity to incorporate sustainable practices and modern technology to minimize our built environment’s impact on the natural one. In the coastal city of Charleston, perhaps the most important element of the built environment is the …

Crowdsourced Map of Charleston Street Flooding

September 26, 2020August 4, 2015 by Bryan McElveen

Crowd sourcing data can produce wonderfully useful results. In this case, a crowd-sourced map of flood-prone streets in notoriously flood-prone Charleston. We’re entering the rainy season in August, so use scrupulously.

Historic Property Lectures

September 26, 2020October 8, 2014 by Bryan McElveen

Do you own a historic property? Historic Charleston Foundation is hosting a stewardship lecture series this fall aimed at helping owners of historic homes address the unique challenges of historic ownership. The Foundation’s newest fall lecture series will examine the anatomy and craftsmanship of various features of the historic house. This series will explore the best preservation treatments for shutters, …

Designing the Upper Peninsula

September 26, 2020August 5, 2014 by Bryan McElveen

Charleston’s intentions for The Upper Peninsula Initiative are to direct population growth towards the city center in an effort to mitigate sprawl. Of the eight strategies implemented in the EcoDistricts framework, Urban Form & Pattern has the most apparent and enduring influence. The arrangement of building densities, their heights and architectural styles, as well as the natural environment and transportation infrastructures are all paramount …