CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — A 1918 industrial constructing in downtown Charleston might be adaptively reused and was residences after preservation advocates pushed to protect it.
The Preservation Society of Charleston and the Historic Charleston Foundation advocated to adaptively reuse the historic constructing positioned at 280 Meeting Street, which additionally options an iconic Fifties storefront. The website at the moment homes three outlets, together with The Bicycle Shoppe, 319 Men and Theatre 99, however will quickly be was ‘Meeting Street Residences.’
The architectural board conceptually accredited the proposal on the assembly on Wednesday. Their circumstances embrace restudying the cornice and parapet on the third-story addition to cut back its prominence.
Now getting used for residential use, this new proposal comes after the group efficiently advocated for the City of Charleston Board of Architectural Review to reject the demolition of the constructing late final yr.
“The community really rallied to save this building,” Anna-Catherine Alexander, a preservation advocate with the Preservation Society of Charleston, mentioned. “There were two key takeaways that came from that meeting. One is that this building contributes to the unique architectural and historical character of Charleston, and two, there is incredible potential for adaptive reuse.”
The new proposal by Bello Garris Architects contains restoring the entrance elevation to its mid-century look by reopening the massive upper-story home windows and including a third-floor addition and rear accent construction to help multi-family residential use.
Advocates say that though they need there weren’t a vertical addition, the basic type and character of the constructing will nonetheless be maintained.
“Preservation projects can be very complex, but plain and simple, the best way to preserve a building is to use it,” Alexander mentioned.
Alexander says the constructing has been in a position to retain particulars from when it was initially constructed due to its adaptive reuse through the years. Those particulars embrace minimal ornamentation, clear traces, expansive openings and large-scale home windows.
“This building is an anchor to the streetscape of Meeting Street,” Alexander mentioned. “The streetscape is changing quickly and so to see something that is familiar maintained is a win for preservation.”
Both the architect and developer say they’re happy with the result of the assembly and can proceed working with town to construct in a method that honors the constructing’s historical past.
“We’re thrilled that the Board of Architectural Review approved this project,” Alexander mentioned. “This outcome is what the community asked for and so we’re thrilled to see that response from the design team.”
Copyright 2026 WCSC. All rights reserved.
