On one of the most coveted and quiet streets South of Broad, 12 Orange Street is a masterfully restored historic residence that seamlessly blends timeless Charleston charm with thoughtful, high-quality updates. Every detail of this home reflects a love of its historic architecture while the updates make a seamless transition to today's style of living.The living spaces of this Charleston single have many windows and French doors which face south making for light filled interiors overlooking a beautiful Sheila Wertimer, of Wertimer and Cline, designed parterre garden. A kitchen and family room was created at the rear of the home and opens out to a tumbled marble terrace with dining table, lounge seating and a heated and cooled saltwater pool. This quiet sanctuary is walled and gated in for privacy. A back hall was created between the kitchen and dining room housing a built-in bar with a bar sink, under-counter wine refrigerator and divided wine storage. A powder room with an extra shower for the times when you have a full house is well positioned. A new back stair to the second floor created a better flow. The almost octagonal shape Dining room was designed with a custom modillion crown, an antique salvaged Georgian corner cabinet and mantel with gas fire basket features a hand painted floor by Robert Shelton, offering a unique and refined setting for elegant entertaining. The library off the front foyer with its original mantle flanked by custom designed cabinetry housing books and display, create a cozy area to read, converse or sip bourbon. The light and airy living room at the front of the home with its front facing windows and French doors to the piazza has its original mantle with working gas fire basket and a light crystal chandelier making it an elegant room to entertain guests.
The primary suite is a welcoming retreat, offering a spacious sitting/dressing room with generous built in storage for hanging clothes and shoe and handbag storage, a working gas fireplace, and French doors to the piazza. The suite includes a second closet area and a Primary Bath with Calcutta a marble floor, two marble washstands with glass legs and a large frameless glass and marble shower with shower head, rain head and handheld shower. The second floor also has a drawing room with built-in cabinets, wet bar and refrigerator and French doors to the piazza with charming views of Orange St. The guest suite above the kitchen has a large statuary marble bathroom with two marble washstands, a nickel waterworks soaking tub and a shower with three shower heads. The third floor has two bedrooms with a bath between.
The home underwent a comprehensive renovation begun in 2011 and a second update in 2021. The entire house was taken down to the studs and carefully restored with period appropriate elements and craftmanship giving it the charm and elegance sought after in Charleston homes. Original heart of pine floors and 8 historic mantels were preserved to honor the home's rich architectural heritage while period appropriate crowns, casings, baseboard, paneling and cabinetry were custom milled to replicate or compliment those of the home's Georgian period. A new standing seam copper roof, new custom historically accurate windows, new electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems and new insulation were added to allow this house to continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Two Rinnai instant hot water heaters, five chimneys fitted with custom gas baskets imported from London, plentiful custom cabinets to allow for ample storage, baths with multiple shower heads, and 1st and second floor wet bars with refrigeration make for the ease of living we love for today's busy lives.
An off-street granite bordered brick drive secured at the street with automated iron gates ensure the homes privacy. With the tranquil location, on sought after high ground, and the benefit of underground utilities preserving the streetscape, 12 Orange Street is a rare opportunity to own a meticulously restored home in the heart of Charleston, where every detail has been elevated.
