Historic houses in downtown Charleston get their appeal from their centuries-old grandeur, usually preserved in exterior brick, stucco and wood frame single homes and mansions. Yet many times, these multimillion dollar residences are more 21st century than antebellum inside, with gourmet kitchens, jetted tubs and big screen TVs.
There’s no challenging the ancestral pedigree at 39 Church St., known as the George Everleigh House. Built in 1743 by a prominent Indian trader, the two story brick home is one of the more photographed in the city. But the property, which includes a carriage house and is on the market for $4,850,000, has kept much of its roots inside as well. While graced with a modern kitchen and other creature comforts, 39 Church has its share of quirkiness. That’s not so odd in a 265-year-old house that’s been in the same family for close to half that time.
“A lot (of buyers) come looking for a big house with every amenity,” from high-end appliances to a completely manicured garden. “That’s what they come to expect,” says Weesie Newton, Realtor with Carriage Properties in Charleston who is listing the home. “This is (for) a collector, someone who understands history, is in love with Charleston and doesn’t mind idiosyncrasies.”
The house is ample at more than 5,100 square feet including the carriage house. It is of brick construction with two full stories and a third level with two bedrooms and a bath in space that was at one time an attic.
Highlights include a long second-story drawing room with a five bay windows and door opening to a front piazza. The first floor also has a drawing room with the original cypress paneling. There are wood floors throughout, and the main staircase is original. The first floor has a sizable dining room and adjacent breakfast room. One newer part is the rear of the house, which had been a porch and two small rooms but was fully enclosed as a sunroom and kitchen.
The carriage house does not have access from the main house without going through the back lawn. But Newton said the structures were connected at one time and likely could be linked again. There’s a main room with fireplace and two bedrooms upstairs in the two-level carriage house.
Connecting the two structures is the rear yard, dominated by an early garden from Loutrel Briggs, who designed many of the classic Charleston gardens in the mid 20th century.
According to Historic Charleston Foundation, 39 Church was restored with modifications in 1914. In the Feiss-Wright survey of Charleston, 39 Church was rated a building of “highest architectural design quality.” The house boasts some of the finest early Georgian interior and exterior detailing in the city and is one of the few remaining buildings that still retain the early 18th century asymmetrical floor plan.
Construction of 39 Church Street began after Eveleigh, a prosperous Indian trader, purchased the property in 1743. He transferred ownership 16 years later to John Bull of Prince William Parish. Jean Louis Polony, a Santo Domingan refugee and internationally known chemist and naturalist, bought the property in 1795. In 1875 Richard Maynard Marshall, the great-great grandfather of the current owners, purchased it.
The house retains many 18th century architectural elements that have become scarce to Charleston, such as a piazza paved with tile. All of the primary rooms are fully paneled with traditional 18th century Georgian woodwork. The property fronts Church Street with an 18th century wall. An account of the 1752 hurricane claims the original brick columns of the piazza were destroyed. The existing wood piazza, then, would be a later addition.
While 39 Church is more historic than highfalutin, it’s drawn interest. “We’ve had some good, significant showings,” Newton says.
To locate 39 Church, follow Church Street south below Broad Street to where it runs into Water Street. Jog right and then left onto the bricked paved portion of Church. The house is just below Water on the right. For all your real estate needs please visit http://www.sallyandj.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment