79 Church Street

Description

At the storied corner of Church and Tradd Streets stands one of Charleston's most extraordinary private residences, a 17th -century home dated to 1697 by noted historian Louis Green. This rare corner property offers an increasingly elusive combination of off-street parking, a walled garden, no flood insurance requirement, no easements, a basement, attic, Tesla charger, and a private elevator, all wrapped in historic charm.Designated ''NOTABLE'' in This Is Charleston, the seminal 1944 survey of the city's most important buildings, the home is woven deeply into Charleston's artistic legacy. From 1708-1729 it was the residence and studio of Henrietta Johnston, the first known professional artist in the American colonies. Over the centuries, it has been home to several renowned artists ofthe Charleston Renaissance and beyond, including Anna Heyward Taylor, Elizabeth O'Neill Verner, and most recently, Mary Whyte, the internationally-celebrated watercolorist. Situated at the heart of Charleston's most architecturally-significant enclave - two blocks with the highest concentration of pre-Revolutionary homes in America - the house exemplifies early construction techniques, with historic stucco over brick, just as it was built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Inside, room proportions and appointments are genteel, filled with light, and featuring large nine-over-nine windows, classic wainscoting, crown molding, fireplaces, and an atmosphere that is both refined and welcoming. A gilded elevator services all floors, including the attic. A French Country kitchen, thoughtfully added in 2016, opens onto a deep and enchanting walled garden, creating a seamless connection between interior living and outdoor enjoyment. The four bedrooms are situated on the second and third floors, while the fourth-floor attic, accessible by stairs and elevator, features headroom and a dormer window, presenting an excellent opportunity for additional living space. Beneath the living room and entry hall lies a dry basement, accessed through a discreet hatch. Your future wine cellar... The private driveway accommodates two off-street parking spaces, with an iron gate providing a graceful transition between driveway and garden. Inside, the garden unfolds as a richly layered landscape framed by an ancient brick wall. The patio and pergola offer a welcoming outdoor sitting area, while a winding path leads through lush plantings accented by azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas, and Italian Cypress. At the rear of the garden, a bluestone patio provides space for al fresco dining, grilling, and relaxed gatherings under an intimate pergola, an ideal setting for entertaining on any scale. A rare offering of history, beauty, and livability, this remarkable residence is not simply a home, it is a living piece of Charleston's cultural and architectural heritage.