Spacious Penthouse In the Heart of Historic Charleston, South Carolina

Listing of the Day


Location: Charleston, South Carolina

Price: $16.5 million

This duplex penthouse sits right at the edge of Charleston’s storied historic district, with fantastic views across the city, the harbor and out to the ocean.

"People are speechless—even Charlestonians are speechless—when they see this apartment," said co-listing agent Leighton Candler of Corcoran. "It’s like you’re a bird flying over historic Charleston—it’s a 360-degree view because there is so little that’s tall in Charleston."

"I’m Southern, from Atlanta, and I’ve been coming down to Charleston for years and I’ve never seen anything like this—and who knew it existed?" Ms. Candler said. "If there were more apartments like this, everybody would move to Charleston."

The condominium—Apt. 801 at 18 Broad St.—encompasses the top two floors of the 1911 People’s Building, Charleston’s first skyscraper. It boasts 72 elegant arched windows, Turkish limestone floors, soaring ceilings, fireplaces, a private roof deck and deluxe custom fixtures.

More:One of Kiawah Island’s Priciest Homes Sells for $15.25 Million

"It’s like the loft space in SoHo that everyone wants—and that doesn’t exist," Ms. Candler said.

The contemporary open floor plan features a grand salon and living room, paneled formal dining room, gourmet kitchen with double islands, family room, library, and a 1,500-square-foot master suite.

The second level has a pair of guest bedroom suites, a den, billiards room, a second kitchen, and multiple French doors and windows to integrate the outside space.

"If you want to be in the historic district, normally you have to be in a house," Ms. Candler said. "People say—you mean I can buy in Charleston and not have to take care of a house and garden?"

Local businesswoman Terri Henning bought the eighth-floor apartment in 2002 and spent four years renovating and rebuilding it to incorporate a former standalone ninth floor apartment on the roof into one giant duplex.

She also added a quite large rooftop deck with elaborate landscaping, pavers, an outdoor shower and dedicated living spaces to enjoy sunrises and sunsets.

"We’ve had some of the best parties on this roof that I’ve ever attended—and it’s not because I’m a great hostess," Ms. Henning said.

For the last decade, she has hosted a black-tie, sit-down dinner for 70 on the final night of the Charleston Food + Wine Festival, all cooked in her kitchen and often by celebrity chefs.

"It’s the best view of one of the most beautiful cities," Ms. Henning said. "I also love that I can lock it and leave and not worry about it."

"Terri travels a lot and she has set it up as one of the grandest pied-a-terres I’ve ever seen," Ms. Candler said.

The apartment’s luxurious and stylish Art Deco furnishings may be included, too. "I would consider selling it furnished," Ms. Henning said. "It’s now 1930s and ‘40s French, timeless stuff that really goes with the apartment."

Along with fine antiques, Ms. Henning also collects cars—"European vintage racers, mostly from the 1950s," she said. She’s also got a 1954 Jaguar XK120 originally owned by Clark Gable and she recently sold Natalie Wood’s Mercedes—"and I miss it every day," she said.

"I’ve loved living here, and now I think it’s time for something else," Ms. Henning said. "I want something on the water, maybe with a boat."

More:Charleston Chef Mike Lata Creates a Kitchen in a 1740s Dutch Colonial

Stats

The 8,363-square-foot, 15-room condo has three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and one partial bath. There is also a 3,169-square-foot private roof.

Amenities

Along with the spacious rooftop deck, the apartment comes with three deeded off-street parking spaces, "which is rare in Charleston," Ms. Henning said. There is also a private elevator entrance.

Design pedigree

The apartment at 18 Broad St.was designed by Monique Gibson andfeatured inArchitectural Digest in 2008.

More:Chelsea Plantation in South Carolina Asks $32.775 Million

Neighborhood notes

The apartment is in the heart of downtown Charleston. "I’m within walking distance of at least two dozen very fine restaurants, many art galleries and at least a dozen fine hotels," Ms. Henning said.

"I love being able to walk out my door and enjoy a great meal or a delicious cocktail—and feel very, very safe," she said.

Agents: Leighton Candler of Corcoran and Leslie Turner of Hudson Phillips Charleston Properties

View the full listing

Write to Listing of the Day