Lowering Build Costs At The Design Stage
We are now nearing completion of our new “eco home ” build on 118 Line St in Charleston. We expect utility bills less than $50.00 per month which is as close to the goal of “off grid ” as anyone has yet to achieve downtown. It is the nature of an experimental project that we learn […]
A Classic Renovation & Modern Pool House in a West Ashley Neighborhood
Think “West Ashley, ” and most of us will picture brick bungalows and ranch homes mixed with the vista of retail and restuarants that line Savannah Highway or Hwy 61. A desirable area for the first time homebuyer, if you take the time to get to know West Ashley you will find some real gems […]
A Charleston Renovation: Kiawah Island Beach Cottage Conversion
Kiawah Island, the most prestigious and luxurious of the sea islands, is known for its multi-million dollar mansions owned as second, third, or fourth homes which often stand empty for much of the year. However, these headline grabbing homes are not the whole story, and there is still a vibrant market for high-end residences of more modest […]
Paint Colors that Reflect Historic Charleston and the Lowcountry
Rainbow Row on East Bay was named for the patently obvious. With each terraced home a vibrant color and each selected seemingly at random by the owner, it has all the appearance of an impressionists rainbow. Charleston SC celebrates its hospitable, sunny climate with a burst of color on every street and down every lane […]
Construction: Downtown Charleston SC Micro Home Takes Shape
Late last summer we wrote a blog about building small houses in town. We have a suitable plot on Ashe Street, though the process of entitlement has been quite long with the need to explain what we are trying to achieve and to include input from both the city of Charleston and the neighborhood. Yesterday […]
A Downtown Renovation: Enhancing Livability When Street Noise Intrudes
We have a problem with one of our build projects in downtown Charleston. Located at 1 Todd Street, it’s right up against the Crosstown (Septima Clark Parkway) and you can hear everything that drives past. From the rumble of a truck to the “beep beep ” horn of a scooter, it’s all there in your […]
A Sunny Climate & Solar Power: How To Harness this Energy in Charleston
By Chris Leigh-Jones with Sean Hayes, Guest Contributor, Palmetto Solar Something for nothing is always a good suggestion and in a state as sunny as South Carolina, solar power would seem a way of achieving that end. We met last week with Sean Hayes of Palmetto Solar to discuss how the industry works and just […]
Downtown Charleston, SC: Having Vision for an Affordable Restoration Project
Let’s be honest, for most of us looking to live in a downtown historic district, it is getting close to un-affordable. Even the days of getting what would be, in other cities, known as a “tear down, ” will cost a bit more than you probably want to spend – and even then, due to […]
When a 1-Bedroom, 1-Bath Becomes a 2-Bedroom, 2- Bath: South of Broad
Spencer Hamilton is a man who loves detail. As a Project Manager with Luxury Simplified Construction he has honed his talents on more than one historic renovation project in Charleston. He excels at working with old properties where plans need so much more interpretation than when building from new. Add to that walls that are often […]
Construction Guide: Roofing materials for Homebuilding in Charleston
Part III in our series “Construction Guide for Homebuyers “ What is your roof made from? The choices range from asphalt shingles to wood shakes and clay tiles, from steel or aluminum panels, to rubber look-a-like slate or to authentic slate, and to fired clay tile. All acceptable roof materials will perform to Building Code […]
