Downtown Charleston Real Estate

Historic Homes in the Heart of Charleston

The Charleston Peninsula is the heart of the city. Downtown is where you'll find most of the shopping, restaurants, museums, music and theater venues, historic sites, and tourist attractions. In a city that dates back more than 300 years, buyers are not merely purchasing a home, but a piece of Charleston's rich history as well. Real estate prices are often viewed on a sliding scale from the Battery section of the peninsula (South of Broad and the French Quarter directly above it) to modest shotgun-style homes midway up the peninsula near the Crosstown, where prices are more affordable. The northwest portion of the peninsula near the Citadel (Hampton Park Terrace and Wagener Terrace) offer less congestion and larger lots surrounding a 64 acre park. For buyers wanting less upkeep and more of a city lifestyle, condos like The Gadsden provide a good turn key option within walking distance of great entertainment!

Charleston Peninsula Real Estate Stats

Total Listings: 156
Average Price: $1,718,342
Highest Listing Price: $8,000,000
Average Days On Website: 115
Average Price/SqFt: $778

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Downtown Charleston Pros:

  • Best shopping and restaurants in tri-county area
  • Tons of entertainment options (including museums, historic sites, and tours)
  • Historic neighborhoods with houses and condos
  • Ideal for buyers wanting a city lifestyle and walkability
  • Good rental income for investors

Downtown Charleston Cons:

  • High real estate prices due to high demand
  • Smaller lot sizes
  • Average public schools

Downtown Charleston Real Estate Listings

Price, High to Low
156 Properties Found.
Page 1 of 11

81, 8 1/2 Rutledge Avenue A, B, C

$8,000,000
MLS® #23016062

Harleston Village
Downtown Charleston, SC
11 BR, 7 BA, 11737 SQ FT, 0.4 ACRES
Built in 1826
House

This home features a main house with courtyard and caretakers building and garden, a separate legal short term …

54 Church Street

$5,999,000
MLS® #24002832

South of Broad
Downtown Charleston, SC
4 BR, 5 BA, 4842 SQ FT, 0.11 ACRES
Built in 1880
House

EXPLORE THIS SEMI-CUSTOMIZABLE BUILD OUT WITH RENDERING BASED CONSTRUCTION-SUMMER 2024 COMPLETION! Rendering bas…

81, 81 1/2 Rutledge Avenue

$5,750,000
MLS® #23025640

Harleston Village
Downtown Charleston, SC
5 BR, 4 BA, 7897 SQ FT, 0.4 ACRES
Built in 1826
House

Welcome to the Sottile-Glover Mansion, this includes the main house, grounds keeper's building/garage/storage bu…

11 George Street Abcd

$4,395,000
MLS® #23027786

Ansonborough
Downtown Charleston, SC
9 BR, 6 BA, 6300 SQ FT, 0.27 ACRES
Built in 1813
House

Discover a truly unique opportunity to reside or operate in the heart of historic downtown Charleston! Fully fur…

26 Cumberland Street 208

$4,371,850
MLS® #22024798

French Quarter
Downtown Charleston, SC
3 BR, 3½ BA, 2974 SQ FT
Built in 2024
Condo

Rare opportunity to own a newly built luxury residence in the heart of historic Charleston. High ceilings, priva…

198 E Bay Street 200, 201, 300

$4,000,000
MLS® #24001908

None
Downtown Charleston, SC
2½ BA, 8000 SQ FT
Built in 1840
Condo

198 E. Bay is located in the heart of the Downtown Historic District next door to the Customs House. Just steps …

Photo of Listing #24006555

104 Rutledge Avenue

$3,950,000
MLS® #24006555

Harleston Village
Downtown Charleston, SC
4 BR, 4½ BA, 5500 SQ FT
Built in 1816
House

The Thomas Bannister Seabrook House, otherwise known as ''Seabrook Manor'' is on a high, prime corner lot in Har…

29 Broad Street A, C

$3,900,000
MLS® #23023657

South of Broad
Downtown Charleston, SC
3 BR, 4 BA, 3250 SQ FT, 0.06 ACRES
Built in 1790
Condo

Imagine owning a piece of Charleston history, a seldom-seen opportunity to purchase a portion of the historic Mc…

17 Princess Street C & D

$3,900,000
MLS® #24004054

None
Downtown Charleston, SC
5 BR, 3½ BA, 3824 SQ FT, 0.02 ACRES
Built in 1880
Condo

Rare opportunity to own an exquisite and unique property in the HEART of downtown Charleston! 17 Princess Street…

Photo of Listing #24005667

4 Battery Place

$3,850,000
MLS® #24005667

City of Charleston
Downtown Charleston, SC
3 BR, 3½ BA, 2932 SQ FT, 0.08 ACRES
Built in 1970
House

Contemporary and chic, this turn-key South of Broad home has it all. This sophisticated home is a jewel with sea…

Photo of Listing #24006823

96 Murray Boulevard

$3,790,000
MLS® #24006823

South of Broad
Downtown Charleston, SC
5 BR, 6½ BA, 4385 SQ FT, 0.18 ACRES
Built in 1960
House

Situated on the majestic downtown waterfront, this traditional brick home looks across the newly raised battery …

175 1/2 Wentworth Street

$3,699,000
MLS® #24001745

Harleston Village
Downtown Charleston, SC
4 BR, 4½ BA, 3505 SQ FT, 0.11 ACRES
Built in 1983
House

EXPLORE THIS SEMI-CUSTOMIZABLE BUILD OUT WITH RENDERING BASED CONSTRUCTION. Rendering based construction allows …

83 E Bay Street

$3,695,000
MLS® #23020585

South of Broad
Downtown Charleston, SC
3 BR, 3 BA, 4788 SQ FT, 0.09 ACRES
Built in 1784
House

The William Stone House, circa 1784, is one of 13 fine pastel-colored homes on Rainbow Row, perched just along t…

44 Church Street

$3,695,000
MLS® #24004276

South of Broad
Downtown Charleston, SC
5 BR, 4½ BA, 3182 SQ FT, 0.1 ACRES
Built in 1800
House

The Righton-Chisolm House, circa 1780, is a stunning home sitting at the bend of Church and Water Street. The ho…

26 Cumberland Street 201

$3,638,250
MLS® #22020629

French Quarter
Downtown Charleston, SC
2 BR, 2½ BA, 2461 SQ FT
Built in 2024
Condo

Rare opportunity to own a newly built luxury residence in the heart of historic Charleston. High ceilings, priva…

Downtown Charleston, SC Real Estate and Lifestyle

downtown charleston sc real estate

Downtown Charleston is the most sought after area for real estate in all of tri-county Charleston because it has the sites and attractions that Charleston is famous for. You should be able to find everything you could possibly need without ever having to leave the peninsula - from groceries to the King Street Target to art galleries. The only exception is the beach, which isn't far away. Within a 15-20 minute drive, you can reach 4 of Charleston's 6 beaches. Folly is to the south, and to the north you'll find Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, and the private Wild Dunes Resort.

Living in Downtown Charleston is ideal for buyers wanting to be within walking or biking distance to shops and entertainment, folks looking for historic homes, and those wanting the prestige that comes with this notoriously upscale market. Downtown offers a dizzying array of homes for sale, from massive antebellum houses to newer highrise condos with views of Charleston's steepled skyline.

Top Things to Do in Charleston

A Walking Tour from Battery Park

battery homes for sale charleston sc

The Battery is the southernmost section of the Charleston Peninsula, and this area is perhaps the most photographed in all of Charleston. Although today it's known as Battery Park or White Point Gardens, during the 1700's it was called Oyster Point due to the sun bleached oyster shells at the water's edge. In 1837, the area became a public park and today is a popular setting for weddings because of its winding old live oaks and incredible views of the harbor. This location made for an important fortification during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and you can see many of the original cannons that have been preserved along its waterfront.

Some of the city's most elegant homes and courtyard gardens are located along the Battery, and you'll see the best views of the Charleston Harbor from the raised walkway along East Battery Street. One home along this stretch is open to the public if you'd like to get a glimpse inside the circa 1825 Edmondston-Alston House.

Continue along this street until it turns into East Bay. You'll pass the 13 famously colorful Rainbow Row townhouses which were built around 1740 by merchants who conducted their business on the first floor and used the second and third stories as living quarters.

downtown charleston real estate

At the Queen Street intersection, turn right and follow Vendue Range to Waterfront Park at the end. This is a great place to sit on a bench or swing and watch barges come in and out of the Charleston Harbor.

Continue along East Bay Street until you get to Market Street, where you'll find local vendors selling everything from jewelry to Charleston cookbooks. This is a great place to buy Charleston's sweetgrass baskets since there are always several basket weavers among the vendors.

Browse the market vendors until you reach Market Hall. This circa 1841 Roman Revival style building was built to indicate the meat market section of Downtown (you'll notice sheep and bull images in the stucco frieze of this building). The market dates further back than Market Hall, though. The Pinckney family donated the land for the market in 1788, when this section first began selling produce, fish, and beef.

King Street Attractions

historic downtown charleston sc

When you're done shopping at the Market, cross over Meeting Street and either head straight up to King Street or cut through the Charleston Place Hotel. This is one of the nicest hotels in all of Charleston. The hotel boasts over 40,000 sq ft of meeting space for conferences (including 2 ballrooms often used for weddings), a spa and health club, and a rooftop pool. On the hotel's first floor you can indulge in fine dining at the Charleston Grill or browse stores including Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

When Charleston was recently voted among the Best Shopping Districts, it was specifically the shopping on King Street that was recognized. You'll find everything from antique shops to boutiques - not to mention big chain stores like Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, J. Crew, and Anthropologie, just to name a few.

King Street is not only popular for its fantastic shops and restaurants, but also for the great mix of new and old building styles. This commercial district has tastefully updated the buildings to fit today's needs while preserving Charleston's rich history in its architecture. You'll see this mix both in the storefronts and the interiors such as Urban Outfitters. Another good example is the Apple store with its modern glass exterior nestled among the classic Charleston storefronts.

On Saturday mornings you can check out the Charleston Farmers Market. Although you'll find several farmers markets throughout Charleston, the one at Marion Square is the main one for the tri-county area - and it's one of the largest farmers markets in the state. This is a great place to get fresh, local produce and cut flowers. You can grab breakfast or lunch, or see the many vendors displaying jewelry, pottery, pet accessories, artwork, and homemade jams. The farmers market usually runs every Saturday morning from April to December. It's located in front of the Francis Marion Hotel at the intersection of King and Calhoun Streets.

Family Friendly Entertainment in Charleston

living in charleston sc

The Charleston Riverdogs minor league baseball team has its home stadium in Downtown Charleston. The season usually runs from April to September, and ticket prices are quite reasonable for a night's worth of leisure. Bill Murray is a Co-Owner and also serves as the Director of Fun (yes, this is an actual title) - so this may be partly why the mascots and the audience games between innings are highly entertaining.

The South Carolina Aquarium is also extremely popular among both locals and tourists. It's located directly on the Charleston Harbor, so it has fantastic views as well as thousands of marine animals to see inside the building. This is a very kid-friendly place to visit, and it's a great educational experience for both kids and adults. Some of the animals you'll see include sharks, loggerhead turtles, stingrays, seahorses, and otters. The aquarium has various exhibits and dive shows, so be sure to check their website when you plan your trip.

Check out our Things to Do in Charleston page for more entertainment options!

Charleston Cuisine

historic downtown charleston real estate

Charleston is a city known for its cuisine. You'll find great local eateries to satisfy a wide range of palettes, from French to local seafood to genuine Southern home cooking.

You could dedicate an entire website to good restaurants in Downtown Charleston, but here are some of our favorites: Halls Chophouse, FIG, High Cotton, Lewis BBQ, Slightly North of Broad, Rue de Jean, Husk, and Gaulart et Maliclet Café (more commonly known as Fast and French).

If you're craving seafood, we'd also recommend Fleet Landing, which has some of the best local seafood and waterfront views in all of Charleston. You'll find that the prices are quite reasonable, and you can choose indoor or outdoor seating at this unique restaurant directly on the harbor (the US Navy built this structure in 1942 as a debarkation site for sailors).

Charleston Schools

charleston peninsula sc

Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston is one of the most popular schools to attend in South Carolina because of its location in historic Downtown Charleston and also its close proximity to the beaches. In fact, you'll find that many Charleston residents went to the College of Charleston, fell in love with the city, and remained in Charleston after graduating (such as the founders of The Keadle Group).

The Citadel, also called the Military College of South Carolina, is a small college dedicated to its long-held traditions of discipline, leadership, and military training. About a third of its graduates go on to start careers in the military. The Citadel is often recognized from Pat Conroy's novel The Lords of Discipline since Conroy himself is a graduate of the institution. For college sports fans, you'll find plenty of games to attend between the Citadel and the College of Charleston.

The Medical University of South Carolina (usually referred to as MUSC) is one of the five biggest employers in the Charleston area. MUSC is partly to thank for Charleston's fantastic healthcare system. People come from around the state to see its specialists, and you'll find multiple hospitals and locations throughout the area.

Condos: A More Affordable Real Estate Option in Downtown Charleston

historic charleston real estate

Downtown Charleston condos are the most affordable way to buy real estate on the peninsula. Also, because condos tend to have a better location for the price compared to houses, you'll find a good selection of condos that are within walking distance to great shopping and restaurants.

Downtown Charleston has several highrise condo buildings like The Gadsden and Dockside near Aquarium Wharf, The People's Building on Broad Street, Ashley House (which has some of the most affordable Downtown condos), Fort Sumter House overlooking White Point Gardens, Bee Street Lofts near MUSC, The Bristol on the Ashley River, and Vendue Range near Waterfront Park.

If you don't want to live in a big condo building and you prefer a more historic feel, you may like the houses in downtown Charleston that have been subdivided into condos. These sometimes have a different layout than traditional condos simply because they were not originally built to be condos. However, this is a great option for living in a historic Charleston home without having to pay to own the entire home.

Best Neighborhoods to Live in Downtown Charleston

homes for sale in downtown charleston sc

The most popular historic neighborhoods in Downtown Charleston include South of Broad which is the southernmost point of the peninsula where White Point Gardens, the Battery, and Rainbow Row are located. South of Broad addresses fetch the highest real estate prices due to the prestige of these meticulously maintained homes and gardens.

The French Quarter, located just above South of Broad, is adjacent to Waterfront Park. French Quarter is home to the famous Dock Street Theatre, the French Huguenot Church, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Gibbes Museum of Art, and over 30 art galleries. This is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Downtown Charleston because it offers such a central location.

Harleston Village is one of the largest neighborhoods (over 50 blocks) and is popular for folks wanting easy walking distance to College of Charleston and Colonial Lake. Moultrie Park on Ashley Avenue offers lighted tennis courts which is a hard feature to find on the peninsula.

Cannonborough, Elliotborough, and Radcliffeborough are located midway up the peninsula (north of Calhoun Street but south of the Crosstown). An ideal location for commuting to MUSC (and CofC is also convenient), these 3 boroughs offer more modest shotgun-style houses that appeal to a wider range of buyers. Lots of shopping and restaurants are also within walking distance on upper King Street.

Above the Crosstown, the 2 most popular neighborhoods are Hampton Park Terrace and Wagener Terrace which are adjacent to the Citadel and Hampton Park. Spanning 64 acres, this park is the peninsula’s largest and is known for its azaleas and beautiful flower beds in the spring and summer. Our kids love feeding the ducks at the pond and exploring the outdoor gazebo. Hampton Park Terrace is also walkable to the Jack Adams Tennis Center on Congress Street and the Charleston Riverdogs Stadium overlooking the Ashley River.

Considering Buying or Selling a Home in Downtown Charleston?

Contact us online or text/call 843.847.0239 to see why so many of our past clients refer their friends and family to The Keadle Group!

Contact The Keadle Group

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The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker ReciprocitySM Program of the Charleston Trident Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Carolina One Real Estate are marked with the Broker ReciprocitySM logo or the Broker ReciprocitySM thumbnail logo (a little black house) and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.

The broker providing these data believes them to be correct, but advises interested parties to confirm them before relying on them in a purchase decision.

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