VICTORIAN CHARM ON COLONIAL LAKE! With only a handful of homesites on desirable Colonial Lake in Historic Downtown Charleston, you'll know you've found something truly unique with this Victorian masterpiece! This home will make your heart soar and long to learn all of the rich stories it could tell! Welcome to the Benjamin Harleston Read Simons home that has won the Preservation Society's Carolopolis Award for excellence in Historic Preservation! This impressive Victorian home with over 5300 square feet was built in 1894 and is in the coveted historic neighborhood of Harleston Village, overlooking enchanting Colonial Lake. It is stunning in its grandeur and has been wonderfully maintained and updated throughout the years. The details of this unique home are exquisite and will truly delightthe future owners. After stepping through the Philip Simmons wrought iron gate, you'll immediately notice the mature and manicured landscaping that offers both privacy and an easy way to engage with your neighbors. When you reach the wide front porch, be sure to turn around to cherish the breathtaking views. Standout features within this home are gorgeous stained glass windows, decorative wood trim, a double porch on the south side, and a two-story octagonal turret capped with a bell shaped roof and an ornate finial. The breathtaking designs continue inside the home with original heart pine floors, plaster ceiling medallions, outstanding millwork, fireplaces with intricate wood and tile surrounds, high ceilings with crown molding, and so much more. In the spacious entryway, you'll find a grand staircase, fireplace and seating area. To the right is a formal living space with French doors leading to the porch and a cozy study separated by oversized pocket doors. A large formal dining room is through the door just past the stairs, and an additional generously-sized room with a full bath can be used as a main level bedroom or family room. A roomy half bath is located under the rear staircase and features marble tile flooring. The kitchen features skylights, loads of cabinets with under-cabinet lighting, a large central island, a built-in breakfast nook, and marble tile flooring. A laundry and utility room with extra storage rounds out the first floor. On the second level you'll find the generous primary suite that features dual vanities and beautiful marble tile flooring. Two full bathrooms and three more bedrooms, two of which have doors out to the porch, can also be found on the second floor. Take in the spectacular views of Colonial Lake from the seating area in the turret at the front of the home. The third level is a finished attic space with lots of character in its angled walls. There is a bedroom, full bathroom and through a set of glass French doors is an open space with endless possibilities as a home office, gym, or bonus room. Outside in the garden, there is truly a relaxing oasis! A sunny back deck steps you down to mossy brick paths, the brick patio, a tidy lawn, and lush greenery. A shed is present to store all the tools needed to employ your green thumb. You'll love entertaining with garden parties and lawn games in this gorgeous space! There is off street parking for three cars. This property is conveniently located near several amenities on the Charleston Peninsula. You'll love strolling down its historic streets as each one offers a new adventure! It is .7 miles from shopping and restaurants on King St, .8 miles from the medical district, and 1.1 miles from White Point Gardens at the battery. Off peninsula it is 10 miles from Sullivan's Island, and 12.5 miles from Charleston International Airport. This one of a kind home is absolutely not to be missed!
Single-familyProperty Type
1894Year Built
9,147 sq ftLot Size
$1,317Est. Price/Sq.Ft.
Listed by • Matt O'Neill Real Estate
Listed by • Matt O'Neill Real Estate
Bought with Scott Cheney• The Boulevard Company
Bought with Debbie Peretsman• The Boulevard Company
*Taxable value of land and structures on it ("additions") is determined regularly by local assessors and does not affect market price.
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Permits
Beds
5
Baths
4.5
Stories
2
Lot width
60 ft.
Lot depth
152 ft.
Lot size
9,120 Sq. Ft.
Year renovated
—
Sq. Ft.
5,233
Year built
1894
Style
Single Family Residential
County
Charleston County
APN
4570803090
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Aug 14, 2026.
STR
SR CAT 1
OLD CITY HEIGHTS DISTRICT - 3
AR
OLD AND HISTORIC DISTRICT
Single- and Two-family Residential District
The STR district allows single-and two-family dwellings and all uses permitted in the SR districts. The minimum lot size for a two-family dwelling is 9,000 sq ft for a maximum density of 7.3 units per acre.
Zone overlays
Residential Short Term Rental - Category 1
Old City Heights District 3
Amusement and Recreation Services Overlay Zone
Old and Historic District
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Housing-Single unit
Housing-Multiple units
Golf related
May 27, 2024 • Final
Electrical - single family/duplex dwelling - sub
Install additional electrical wiring in the kitchen and bathroom and upgrade the electrical service to 400 amps.
Bathroom
Electrical
Kitchen
May 27, 2024 • Final
Fuel gas - single family/duplex dwelling - sub
Install new gas lines.
Gas
Permit history is from public records and may be incomplete or inaccurate. Redfin and its agents make no representations about the property condition or permit status. Buyers should independently verify all information.
Property details
Parking
Parking & Garage Information
Carport Spaces: 0
Parking Features: Off Street
Interior
Interior Features
Interior Features: Ceiling - Smooth, High Ceilings, Kitchen Island, Walk-In Closet(s), Ceiling Fan(s), Eat-in Kitchen, Family, Formal Living, Entrance Foyer, Office, Pantry, Separate Dining, Study, Sun
Appliances: Built-In Electric Oven, Dishwasher, Gas Cooktop
Fireplace Features: Bedroom, Three +
Flooring: Wood
Laundry Features: Washer Hookup, Laundry Room
Bathroom Information
Bathrooms Total Decimal: 4.5
Bathrooms Total Integer: 5
Bedroom Information
Bedrooms Total: 5
Room Master Bedroom Features: Ceiling Fan(s)
Room Master Bedroom Level: Upper
Heating & Cooling
Cooling: Central Air
Exterior
Exterior Features
Exterior Features: Rain Gutters
Fencing: Wrought Iron, Fence - Metal Enclosed
Roof: Copper
Property Type
Residential
Single Family Detached
Land Information
Waterfront Features: Lake Front
Lot Information
Lot Features: 0 - .5 Acre
Property Information
Other Structures: No, Storage
Ownership: Fee Simple
Property Type: Residential
Building Information
Levels: 3 Stories
Subdivision Information
Subdivision Name: Harleston Village
Financial
Tax Information
Tax Annual Amount: 6013
Tax District: 71 - City of Charleston
Tax Legal Description: 50 RUTLEDGE
Tax Map Number: 4570803090
Utilities
Utility Information
Public Sewer
Utilities: Charleston Water Service, Dominion Energy
Location
School Information
Elementary School: Memminger
Middle Or Junior School: Simmons Pinckney
High School: Burke
Neighborhood Information
Subdivision Name: Harleston Village
MLS Area Major: 51 - Peninsula Charleston Inside of Crosstown
Public facts
Beds: 5
Baths: 4.5
Sq. Ft.: 5,233
Stories: 2.0
Lot Size: 9,120 square feet
Style: Single Family Residential
Year Built: 1894
Year Renovated: —
County: Charleston County
APN: 4570803090
Home facts updated by county records on Aug 14, 2026