Downtown Charleston house dating to U.S. origins available for lease

George Washington was president when 22 King Street was built in the bustling city of Charleston. The year: 1789. Such properties are showpieces that change hands – when they do – for millions of dollars. But in this case, the property can be yours, at least as a residence, for $5,000 per month. Daniel Ravenel Real Estate is leasing the 3,700-square-foot, three-story house. For another $500 a month, the house will come furnished. “You can get a chance to live in a piece of history,” says Casey Murphey, Realtor with Daniel Ravenel Real Estate who is listing the property. She says the house has a number of unusual features for a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home that’s 220 years old. On the main floor, “It has large French doors (with) easy access to the side slate patio and surrounding gardens” –- designed by local landscape architect Sheila Wertimer. “You usually don’t get that space.” The first level, which has the most living space, is comprised of a large family room, dining room and eat-in kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances including gas range, built-in microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator. Also, the historic home, which has been extensively renovated and upgraded, showcases a second-floor master suite with “sybaritic” –- a master bath the size of a typical bedroom with double sinks, designer bathtub, walk-in shower and water closet, Murphey says. There’s also a laundry room on the second floor that connects to an office bay, similar to a study. The third floor has what is essentially two master suites each with large bathrooms. Murphey says she is seeking a year’s lease. Possible tenants could be a couple from out of town who want to try out downtown Charleston before they buy, someone who is building a home that has been delayed and needs a place to stay for awhile or an executive who will be in the area for several months or more and requires a place to entertain, she says. “It’s a cool house,” Murphey says.

Buregoning townhome neighborhood west of the Ashley offers new floor plans at moderate costs

Don’t look for a swimming pool or clubhouse at Ashley Park Townhomes off Glenn McConnell Parkway. The three-year-old community near West Ashley High School decided against a slew of amenities. But the tradeoff is its competitive prices. Ashley Park can charge a moderate rate for its attractive two- and three-level dwellings as well as keep homeowners association fees at a minimum. At the same time, the dozens of dwellings -– Ashley Park when completed will have 350 units -– are right off main drag Glenn McConnell Parkway and a few minutes from major shopping centers, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital and Interstate 526, among other places. “They (amenities) are so close by,” says Kimberly J. Byrd, sales and marketing manager with Manor House Builders of South Carolina. “You can go to Folly Beach, the new West Ashley recreation park.” Launched in Hagerstown, Md., Manor House Builders is constructing the townhomes, which are 1,341-1,554 square feet and currently priced from $159,900 to $179,900. Newly introduced models are the Fuller and the Pierpont. Existing plans are the Accabee II and the Westpenny II. The developer is East Bay Co., located in Charleston. Manor House and Easy Bay Co. are affiliated. "Ashley Park Townhomes is a neighborhood rooted in the community," says Hilton Smith III of Manor House Builders. "We are also uniquely situated next to West Ashley High School and offer affordable living for teachers and others in the community that may be struggling through these tough economic times." The target market at Ashley Park are young professionals, Byrd says, including “a lot of people who need quick access to I-526. They may work downtown or in Mount Pleasant.” About 180 townhomes are complete. “We don’t build a massive amount of inventory,” Byrd says. But a sales model and 15 townhomes currently are ready, will be complete by August or are available for sale to be built in the future. “People like to look, touch and feel,” she says. Townhome features include nine-foot ceilings on the first floor; Berber or plush carpeting; brushed chrome door hardware; 42-inch maple cabinets, self-cleaning oven, microwave and dishwasher in the kitchen; cultured marble vanity tops in bathrooms; fiberglass soaker tub and shower combination in the master bath; and a small patio in the back. Each bedroom has its own bath. “That’s very convenient when you have guests coming in,” Byrd said. Yards are landscaped with sod in the front, side and back. The townhomes have energy-efficient wall and attic insulation, heating and air systems and electric water heaters. The units all come with a garage. “It’s got a lot of storage space,” Byrd says. Numerous extras are available such as stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors. Buyers also can build backyard fences for privacy: Byrd says that’s a popular choice. Not installing amenities has kept the HOA dues down. They are $145 a quarter, or less than $50 a month. “A lot of young professionals don’t use amenities,” she says. Many buyers choose extras, which average an additional $10,000. “The option price is really good. They want the crown molding, granite countertops, hardwoods,” Byrd says.

Carol’s Home gets countrywide exposure

A national magazine has profiled the local “Carol’s Home” project in an article on heroic feats by people and groups nationwide. The “Heroes Among Us” feature is in the latest issue of People Magazine, now available at newsstands.Carol’s Home A national magazine has profiled the local “Carol’s Home” project in an article on heroic feats by people and groups nationwide. The “Heroes Among Us” feature is in the latest issue of People Magazine, now available at newsstands. The profile highlights a group of local home builders and contractors for their generous donations to build a new home for a woman left handicapped after a brutal attack, says the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association. Some association staff and participating members are featured. The association broke ground April 25, 2008, on the home for Carol Armstrong, attacked by a stranger in 2002 as she was locking up a medical building she had just finished cleaning in North Charleston. The beating left her permanently confined to a wheelchair with limited movement of her arms and partially blind. In January, crews completed work on the new Summerville home, which is equipped for handicapped accessibility. More than 50 Charleston area companies worked for free on the project to help give Armstrong and her family a new start. The association got involved after learning Armstrong was living in a home where she was confined to one room because of her new disabilities. The house had small doorways and wall-to-wall carpet. Immediately, the association’s board took action and agreed to help the Armstrong family. To read more about the “Carol’s Home” project visit