Home For Sale
$6,200,000
Harleston Village -
The first recorded sale of 81 Rutledge Avenue, then known as 6 Rutledge Street, was in 1775.Estate OverviewThree buildings on 79 & 81 Rutledge AvenueMain building (built in 1826) - a grand residence ideal for entertaining, featuring large rooms and piazzasOriginal house (pre-1775) - now divided into:Four-bedroom long-term rentalTwo-bedroom short-term rentalThird building - former carriage house with three stories, now used for storageAmple parking availablePrime location - Walking distance to MUSC, King Street, Colonial Lake, Broad Street, and the College of CharlestonProperty Description
" Carriage house (third building)
" Originally housed carriages, a community room for servants, and seven small bedrooms
" Middle house (original house)
" Built before 1775, constructed using wooden pegs
" Now divided into rental units
" Main house
" Built in 1826 by Dr. J. Glover with 18-36 inch thick brick walls
" Formerly served as the Italian consulate
" Original painted ceilings deteriorated, but gold leaf cornices in the living and dining rooms remain
" Cornices were custom-made in France to fit windows, mirrors, and French doors
Historical Significance
" First recorded sale in 1775 - included the building now used as rental property
" 1826 - Mansion built by Dr. Joseph Glover (1740-1840), a respected physician and advocate for urban greenery
" Later ownership
" Arthur Gordon Rose (1794-1880) - President of the Bank of Charleston
" Early 1900s - Used as a school for girls, later purchased by the Benjamin Moise family
" 1906 - Bought by Giovanni Sottile, Italian Consul, who added Italianate details
" Hosted King Victor Emanuel of Italy
" 1991 - Passed to Carmelina Sottile Thompson
" 1999 - Purchased by the current owners
Architectural & Preservation Details
" Mid-19th & early 20th century - Italianate embellishments and ironwork added
" Front doors feature ornate grille work, similar to those at 1 Broad Street (possibly linked to banker Arthur G. Rose)
" Hand-carved vestibule door with fruit relief, made in England
" Kitchen renovated in 2023 - New cabinets and appliances
" Original floor plan remains intact - Owners prioritize historic integrity
" Structural enhancements
" Air conditioners added to rooms without them
" Sump pump system installed to prevent flooding
" Survived earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and war
Gardens & Atmosphere
" Ideal for entertaining - Hosted numerous parties, charity events, and musical gatherings
" Lush gardens with over 80-year-old sago palms
" Other plantings include loquats, pomegranates, camellias, hydrangeas, and azaleas, cared for by the current owner
This historic Charleston estate offers a blend of grandeur, history, and tranquility, preserving its architectural and cultural heritage.
Marshall Walker Real Estate.