Tomorrow, the Board of Architectural Review-Large (BAR-L) will review two major proposals that represent very different approaches to new construction in Charleston. Through our advocacy, the PSC upholds projects that represent high-quality design developed through stakeholder input, while standing against projects that detract from our city’s unique character. We will employ both strategies on the contrasting, large-scale proposals described below:
635 KING STREET – COURIER SQUARE PHASE II
Top: 635 King project site located on upper King Street adjacent to the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood; Left: Rendering of the proposed King Street elevation; Right: Detail of King Street central façade. Source: BAR-L 06.22.22 Image Overview
Up for its first review by the BAR-L is a mixed-use residential building at 635 King Street, known as Building 1 of Courier Square Phase II. The project team, led by the architects at Sottile and Sottile, hosted a multi-day design charette earlier this year to provide community members the opportunity to share their vision for the building. The result is a unique design rooted in historic, architectural precedents, and composed of high-quality materials and intricate details.
This project demonstrates the benefit of facilitating collaborative stakeholder review to inform designs reflective of community values and Charleston’s distinct character. As large-scale development continues on the upper peninsula, the PSC encourages creative approaches like this to achieve a diverse collection of unique buildings, rather than a repetitive urban landscape.
578 MEETING STREET – REGIS MILK SITE
Top: Site map of 578 Meeting, between Stuart and Johnson Streets; Left: Rendering of the proposed building from the corner of Meeting & Johnson Streets; Right: Rendering of the Meeting Street elevation, with the historic Regis Milk façade at center. Source: BAR-L 06.22.22 Image Overview
After being denied twice last year, the multifamily complex proposed for 578 Meeting Street is back for another shot at conceptual approval. While some aspects of the design have improved, the structure continues to seek additional height and span almost an entire city block after the Board gave specific direction to significantly restudy the height and massing. We are concerned by the overwhelming scale of the building’s footprint and the introduction of a skybridge on the Meeting Street elevation, which is a foreign, incompatible feature with negative impact to the historic Regis Milk façade below.
PUBLIC MEETING INFO
- The BAR-L will meet in-person on Wednesday, June 22, at 4:30 PM at 2 George Street (Gaillard Center) in the 1st floor Public Meeting Room
- The meeting will also be live streamed and recorded on the City of Charleston’s YouTube channel.
- View the agenda here and image overview here and email PSC Staff with any questions at advocacy@preservationsociety.org.