The ante-bellum William Thompson House (circa 1843) was built in the Greek Revival style of solid brick with a stucco finish. It is located in the heart of Ansonborough, Charleston's most charming and walkable-to- everything neighborhood. This meticulously maintained property consists of two, separately metered dwellings, a 2 BR, 2 & a half bath Main house (53 Anson) and a 1 BR, 1 Ba Guest cottage (55 Anson) that was created out of the original kitchen house. Behind the two residences there is very private, brick walled Charleston garden with accent lighting, fountain, generous seating and dining area and two separate entrances. Beyond the garden is the off-street parking. The entire property was extensively renovated 10 years ago and has had various updates and changes made since then.The Main residence sits on the corner of Anson and Wentworth and has unblocked sunlight from the east and the south. It is a two story dwelling with heart pine floors and high ceilings throughout. A formal sitting room and dining room are on either side of the main floor entry foyer, both of which have gas fireplaces and built in cabinetry. A totally modern, light-filled kitchen was added in the Hyphen (addition between the kitchen house and main house); it has stainless appliances and granite countertops. On the second floor there is a Guest BR/sitting room with full bath and a Master BR with walk-in closet (with an ASKO high efficiency washer & dryer) and also a large master bath with Carrara marble double sinks. Both bedrooms have fireplaces as well. In the guest cottage (kitchen house) on the 1st level, there is an original slate-floored keeping room with fireplace and galley kitchen, granite counters, stainless appliances and brick & bead-board walls. Both Main house and Guest cottage have been successfully rented for many years (rental history upon request). This is a "very unusual property" with two individually-metered residences, one deed and all within 2,354 square feet of very cleverly designed living space. You can enjoy one residence as your Charleston pied-a-terre and still use the second as additional guest quarters or a source of rental income. There is an Historic Charleston facade easement on the property.
Single-familyProperty Type
1843Year Built
$1,326Est. Price/Sq.Ft.
Listed by • Daniel Ravenel Sotheby's International Realty
Bought with Helen Butler• Disher Hamrick & Myers Res Inc
CIRCA 1843, COMPLETELY RENOVATED, TURN KEY AND READY FOR YOUR BUYER TO MOVE IN. SOLID MASONRY CHARLESTON SINGLE WITH ATTACHED 2 STORY KITCHEN HOUSE. ALL THE BEST UPGRADES WITH HISTORIC DETAILS. NEW KITCHEN AND BATHS, ELECTRICAL, HVAC. KITCHEN HOUSE COULD BE USED FOR A SEPARATE GUEST SUITE (SEPARATELY METERED). OFF-STREET PARKING AND A BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED WALLED GARDEN MAKE THIS A GREAT COMPLETE PACKAGE. HISTORIC CHARLESTON FACADE EASEMENT.
Public Records
May 9, 2000
Sold
$480,000
$204/sq ft
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$18,363 (+7.7%)
$740,935 + $485,948
$1,226,883
2022
$17,043 (+1.3%)
$644,292 + $422,563
$1,066,855
2021
$16,832 (+0.7%)
2020
$16,708 (+12.0%)
2018
$14,914 (+2.4%)
2017
$14,571 (+3.4%)
2016
$14,093 (+50.5%)
2013
$9,367
Tax history for 53 Anson St
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2025
$18,363 (+7.7%)
$740,935 + $485,948
$1,226,883
2022
$17,043 (+1.3%)
$644,292 + $422,563
$1,066,855
2021
$16,832 (+0.7%)
2020
$16,708 (+12.0%)
2018
$14,914 (+2.4%)
2017
$14,571 (+3.4%)
2016
$14,093 (+50.5%)
2013
$9,367
*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
3
Baths
3.5
Stories
2
Lot width
30 ft.
Lot depth
79 ft.
Lot size
2,530 Sq. Ft.
Year renovated
—
Sq. Ft.
2,332
Year built
1843
Style
Townhouse
County
Charleston County
APN
4580103078
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Aug 14, 2026.
STR
OLD CITY HEIGHTS DISTRICT - 3
OLD AND HISTORIC DISTRICT
AR
SR CAT 1
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
Old City Heights District 3
Old and Historic District
Amusement and Recreation Services Overlay Zone
Residential Short Term Rental - Category 1
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Housing-Single unit
Housing-Multiple units
Golf related
Jul 7, 2025 • Final
Permit - roofing, residential alteration/repair
Remove and replace the clay tile section of the roof.
Roofing
Aug 24, 2022 • Active
Permit - building, residential alteration
Remodel
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, Kitchen Island, Walk-In Closet(s), Ceiling Fan(s), Eat-in Kitchen, Formal Living, Entrance Foyer, Separate Dining