L Simmons Residential Home

Pros

• The projecting bays across the front facade are impressive.
• The house preserves its colonial fabric despite the 1840 alterations.
• Its history as a 1760 colonial double house adds remarkable character.
• It was Charleston's most expensive residence sale at the time, underscoring its extraordinary value.
• It remains a private residence that invites admiration from the street.

Review

From the sidewalk, the house makes a striking impression that invites closer study. The front facade is punctuated by impressive projecting bays that push outward in a way that gives the building depth and presence. It's a face that commands immediate attention, even for a passing observer who may not know the deeper story hidden behind those architectural gestures. The overall effect is one of polished grandeur, a curbside moment that feels crafted to endure and to be seen.

What makes the scene all the more intriguing is the revelation embedded in its history. One would never guess, by its current appearance, that the house was actually built in 1760 as a colonial double house. The exterior presents a unity that masks two distinct centuries of architectural evolution. The projecting bays contribute to a modern read of the structure, while the bones beneath hint at a far older origin, a reminder that Charleston's streets are layered with time and memory.

The house's story continues with an important alteration in 1840. At that point, the appearance was updated to reflect the fashions of the mid-19th century, yet the underlying colonial fabric remained intact. The exterior we see today is the result of those deliberate changes, a careful balance between preserving an older core and integrating a newer aesthetic. The colonial essence persists, even as the building's silhouette was reshaped to align with its era's tastes.

Inside, the preservation of the colonial fabric is noted as a guiding thread through the property's transformation. The phrase "the colonial fabric of the house is still preserved" suggests that important elements - whether structural, spatial, or material - still bear witness to the 18th-century origins. It's as if the later 19th-century updates were added like chapters in a book, each new page turning while the original voice remains audible beneath the surface. The result is a home that feels both aged and alive, with its earliest chapters intact despite subsequent revisions.

When the house changed hands in the late 2000s, it carried a status that extended beyond its architectural charm. It was, at the time, the most expensive house ever sold in Charleston, a testament to its rarity, scale, and the prestige of owning a residence with such a storied past. The record-setting sale underscored not just the property's financial value but also its cultural heft: a home that embodies centuries of urban life, wealth, and refinement in one storied package.

Today, the residence remains a private home, not a public monument. The owners invite admiration from the street, a respectful boundary that preserves the sense of privacy required by its living occupants. The house's exterior continues to speak loudly - its projecting bays, its historical layers, and its careful maintenance - while the interiors stay out of view, tucked away behind doors that are not meant to be opened for public inspection. It's a sphere of history that invites contemplation from a respectful distance.

In the end, the house stands as a layered chronicle of Charleston itself. The impressive projecting bays announce a bold street presence, while the building's origin as a 1760 colonial double house and its 1840 transformation tell a tale of continuity and change. The insistence on preserving the colonial fabric ensures that, even as the city around it has evolved, the core stories remain legible. As a private residence, it preserves its mysteries for those who walk by, offering a quiet invitation to reflect on centuries of architectural and social history housed within a single, enduring fa?ade.

This part of Charleston, South Carolina offers a mix of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors considering the area for living. The proximity to places of worship such as the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity provides a sense of community and spiritual support. Nearby cafes and restaurants offer options for dining out, while pharmacies and medical facilities like MUSC Health University Family Medicine and Roper St Francis Foundation ensure easy access to healthcare services. Parks like Hampton Park Dog Run and Brittlebank Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities, and transportation options are available at the Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed for convenience. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded environment that caters to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient location to live in Charleston.

Places of Worship

• Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity (0.3 miles)

Cafes

• Sightsee (0.4 miles)
• The Daily (0.5 miles)
• Babas on Cannon (0.7 miles)
• Off Track Ice Cream (1.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Leon's Oyster Shop (0.4 miles)
• Recovery Room Tavern (0.5 miles)
• High Wire Distilling (0.5 miles)
• Malagon (0.7 miles)
• Felix Cocktails et Cuisine (0.7 miles)
• The Ordinary (0.7 miles)
• Prohibition (0.8 miles)

Parks

• Hampton Park Dog Run (0.5 miles)
• Brittlebank Park (0.7 miles)
• Gadsdenboro Park (1.6 miles)
• Joe Riley Waterfront Park (2.1 miles)
• Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park (2.9 miles)
• Medway Park (3.4 miles)
• I'on Village (4.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Rutledge Tower Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Low Country Diagnostics Compounding Lab (1.6 miles)

Physicians

• MUSC Health University Family Medicine - Peninsula (0.7 miles)
• Kratz John M MD (0.8 miles)
• MUSC Radiology (0.8 miles)
• Eyecare Physicians & Surgeons (0.8 miles)
• Anesthesia Associates PA (0.8 miles)
• Thomas Karl Byrne, MD (0.9 miles)
• Kmetz, Emily C, Md - Musc Dermatology (0.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Medical University of South Carolina (0.8 miles)
• Roper St Francis Foundation (0.8 miles)
• MUSC Ashley River Tower (0.8 miles)
• Musc Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Emergency Department, Roper Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Buxton Surgical Pavilion (0.9 miles)
• Roper Hospital Ambulatory Surgery & Pain Management (2.8 miles)

Transportation

• Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed (1 miles)