Blog

Union Pier Part Two
By Eleanor Smythe

South Carolina Ports Authority delays development plans for one year!


After much hue and cry from Charleston residents and many nonprofits, the opposition 
against the proposed Union Pier development plan was too much for the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA).

On June 16th, the SCPA in conjunction with the City of Charleston and the Mayor held a press conference to announce a halt to all development plans for the Union Pier property for one year.
Going forward, the SCPA will review and reconstruct the current plan to redevelop Union Pier and their cruise
 ship port of call in historic do...

History of Broad Street

By Eleanor Smythe

. This South of Broad article will feature Broad Street, a main artery that includes twelve blocks between Lockwood Boulevard and East Bay Street. The South of Broad neighborhood has a rich history, from the original walled city to the expansion of Murray Boulevard.

Despite natural disasters and economic downturns, Charleston has preserved Broad Street and
its rich colonial history, stunning 18th and 19th  century architecture, and pedestrian orientation. 

During the 1700s, the eastern portion of Broad Street was occupied solely by merchants and
craftsmen until the "Four Corners of Law" (Federal Courthouse and Post Office circa 1896, the Count...

Recurring Monthly

2nd Sundays on King - Visitors and locals alike are invited to shop, dine and enjoy Charleston's “Main Street” on a vehicle-free, pedestrian-only afternoon from 1 pm to 5 pm. More Details

Cars on Kiawah - Held the 3rd Saturday of every month on the Village Green at Freshfields, Sea Island’s Cars & Coffee offers the opportunity to see some unique, antique and other cool styles of cars. More Details

Dancing on the Cooper - Summertime calls for live music and dancing on the Mount Pleasant Pier! Local bands perform a variety of live music, including beach/shag, Cuban salsa, funk/soul, rock, jazz, country, Motown, and the greatest hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s. More Detail...

History of 3 Chisolm Street

The building at 3 Chisolm is one of Charleston’s great historical landmarks with a rich history. Opened in 1923 and located South of Broad in the heart of downtown Charleston, this Neoclassical building is across the street from a park fondly referred to as the “Horse Lot” and just steps away from Colonial Lake and The Battery. The building was listed on The National Register of Historic Places in 2002. Historic Charleston Foundation holds an easement on the property.  It is a fine example of an adaptive reuse project, as it was converted into condos in the early 2000's.

3 Chisolm Street was the original location of Andrew B. Murray Vocational School, one...

The lack of existing inventory continues to impact home sales in the Charleston area. Generally we have only 2.6 months supply of homes which is a sharp reduction from our historical average of 5-6 months available supply. This of course impacts competition for available properties especially if they are in good areas and are nicely finished. 

Nationally home prices are down .9% but here in Charleston County the median sales price is up over 7.2% Closed sales are down 29 % but this, in our opinion, is due entirely to the lack of inventory. 

We expect prices in our area to continue to rise with low inventory and strong demand continuing.

Written By Eleanor Smythe

Ansonborough (and Anson Street, of course) was named for Captain George Anson, a British Naval officer assigned at age 26 with his own command to defend Charles Town and its environs from pirates. He served in this capacity from 1724 to 1735. In 1726, Anson purchased approximately 64 acres of land that later became known as Ansonborough. Legend has it that Anson won the money for the land in a card game. Anson went on to a successful career in the British Navy, becoming the First Lord of the Admiralty in 1751 and Admiral of the Fleet in 1761. He married Lady Elizabeth Yorke in England, and while they had no children, Captain Anson's name lives on through Ans...

Recurring Monthly

2nd Sundays on King - Visitors and locals alike are invited to shop, dine and enjoy Charleston's “Main Street” on a vehicle-free, pedestrian-only afternoon from 1 pm to 5 pm. More Details

Cars on Kiawah - Held the 3rd Saturday of every month on the Village Green at Freshfields, Sea Island’s Cars & Coffee offers the opportunity to see some unique, antique and other cool styles of cars. More Details

Recurring Weekly

Charleston Farmers Market - The Charleston Farmers Market is held each Saturday from 8 am - 2 pm from April to the end of November in Marion Square. Locals and tourists enjoy strolling through the Charleston Farmers Market, which has been voted "Best Outd...

Maison Real Estate, is pleased to announce the addition of four new agents to the team; Debbie O’Lunney, Elizabeth Dixon, and Savannah Walker all add a wide array of skills and experience.

“We are excited to officially welcome these three highly skilled, hardworking and talented women to our team as we enter a new phase of considerable growth. Their comprehensive experience will be integral to our continued success,” said Leslie Turner & Mary Lou Wertz, Co-Founders, Maison Real Estate.

Debbie O’Lunney

Debbie brings a dynamic approach and an arsenal of tools to real estate from both of her prior careers. With a strong work ethic, organizational skills, clear communication, team-cente...

Union Pier Update

Written By Eleanor Smythe 

Union Pier represents the most significant redevelopment opportunity for downtown Charleston in decades. The roughly 70-acre Union Pier site extending from Laurens Street to Waterfront Park lies at a critical juncture between the Cooper River and downtown. The main principles in the South Carolina Port Authority (SPA) master plan encompasses the 70- acres with different parcels for different uses. The total pier, marsh, wetland and open water area is 27.81 acres, or 43.36% of the total. There will be a mixed-use development portion with a suggested 270,000-square-feet of office space, space for 600 rooms of hotel accommodations and 1,600 ...

This historic 1718 masonry over brick home on iconic Tradd Street in the heart of the South of Broad neighborhood has stood the test of time. Surviving intact through multiple earthquakes, hurricanes and The Civil War, this home has been lovingly cared for and meticulously renovated to keep all the historic and architectural details, while creating a home for modern living. 

Read the entire article here.

The State and 26 other McClatchy publications has picked up the story about 40 Tradd Street. 

Read The State article here.

The New York Post is the latest publication to make a big deal about this big deal of a home. Constructed in 1718, it is one of only 71 Pre-Revolutionary homes in the city. Full of original architectural details but beautifully updated for modern living this home is a jewel.

Read the article here.

Mary Lou Wertz's listing at 40 Tradd Street is one of the oldest homes in the city. Built in 1718 it is considered a "first period" home. The history is fascinating and the home has been lovingly and painstakingly preserved.

Read the entire article here.

40 Tradd Street is old, even by Charleston Standards! Listed by Mary Lou Wertz, this circa 1718 masonry over brick home is one of only 71 Pre-Revolutionary homes in the city. Beautifully maintained to preserve the 300 year old history but renovated for a modern lifestyle this South of Broad home has survived the earthquake of 1886 and the multiple hurricanes including the famous one of 1752. 

Known as one of the most photographed homes of the city it has been featured twice in Southern Living as well as the the movie The Patriot. 

To read the entire article click here

Luxury comes in all sizes. Leslie Turners jewelbox listing at 3 Chisolm Street Unit 104 was recently featured by the Post & Courier in their article about luxury listings in downtown Charleston. 

Read the entire article here.

Post and Courier reports on Maison's 2022 sales on Johns Island, the highest transactions on the island for the year, and the most expensive homes ever sold there, excluding the 9-acre Fenwick Plantation sale in 2018.

5051 Chisolm Road the custom designed Georgian style home set on 14 acres and known as Black Pond sold for $5 million and was listed by Mary Lou Wertz and Olga Page. Designed for multi-generational living this home had multiple kitchens, living areas and an over the top back yard with deep water dock, entertainer's kitchen, and infinity pool and spa overlooking New Cut Creek.

3072 Bohicket Road, 13 acres on Bohicket Creek with a deep water dock sold for $5.5 million. Liste...