Midtown real estate | downtown Charleston SC Homes for sale

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Pulsating with a vibrant new influx of upscale restaurants, boutique shops and stunning streetscapes, Charleston's midtown has enjoyed a revival of its traditional glory as the heart of the city. Stretching from panoramic Marion Square northward along Charleston's two grandest boulevards - King and Meeting Streets - Midtown offers a delightful mix of historic and modern, commercial and residential. This lively urban setting flanked by the College of Charleston, the Charleston Museum and the new Charleston School of Law features towering antebellum church steeples, live music venues, wine bars, coffee shops, and avenues of ancient oaks. The city of Charleston has recently undertaken a multi-million dollar refurbishing of Midtown sidewalks and landscaping, and has approved an upscale condominium, hotel, retail and office space project praised by local architects and preservationists.

Historic Marion Square is a spacious green featuring the crenelated battlements of the 1822-era state arsenal, which eventually became the South Carolina Military Academy, or The Citadel, and is now an exclusive hotel. Where cadet brigades once marched in drills and great Zeppelins hovered in early-1900's fairs, today is home to equally crowd-pleasing activities and events. A popular Farmer's Market is hosted here on Saturday's during Spring and Summer, and during the Winter, the square is home to The Charleston Wine Festival and live animal displays during the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. Flanking the square are the great spires of the 1867 St. Matthews Lutheran Church, tallest in the city at 265 feet, as well as the 1854 Citadel Square Baptist Church and the 1811 Second Presbyterian Church.

For haute-cuisine lovers, Midtown features a number of outstanding restaurant choices, including a stylish French atmosphere and menu at 39 Rue de Jean on John Street; the superb wine list and taste of old Tuscany at Pane E Vino on Warren Street; spicy tapas, select cheeses and wines at Raval on King Street, and classic Charleston seafood dishes at Fish on King Street. The stunning Charleston Music Hall on John Street hosts concerts and musicals throughout the year, featuring performances that vary from Joan Baez to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

It was along this corridor through the center of the Charleston peninsula that original roads led into the city through fortified gates built before the Revolutionary War, and defenses erected during the British siege of 1780 can still be seen on Marion Square today. Before the Civil War, the midtown area became a thriving railroad terminus, and the magnificent Adamesque William Aiken House on King Street is a noted national landmark as birthplace of America's first regular train service in 1830. Today, the beautiful Charleston Visitor Center complex between John and Ann Streets replicates the style of the classic rail station, and the historic Camden Towers next door are remnants of the original station.

Midtown has long been Charleston's favorite parade route, and among the famous visitors passing flocks of waving crowds were the Marquis de Lafayette in 1825 and President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902.

 Current properties listed in Midtown area range from a 900-square foot Single Family home at $400,000 to $900,000 (close to 3000 square foot home) or 1220 square foot, 2-bedroom condos at $459,000 to 2291-square foot 3-bedroom condos up to $879,000.
 

South of Broad, Ansonborough, Harleston Village, Mazyck-Wraggsborough, French Quarter, Radcliffborough

Cannonborough, Elliottborough, Midtown, Wagener Terrace, Hampton Park Terrace

Restaurants: Night life has gotten even livelier along Midtown’s bustling King Street Corridor, where music, food and shopping opportunities abound. At Hall’s Chop House at 434 King Street, entertaining jazz tunes fill the ear as plates and glasses overflow with fines wines and delicious steaks, while next door at 432 King, La Fourchette Restaurant is an escape into the intimate coziness and romance of old Europe.

Notable Buildings and Homes: The William Aiken House at 456 King Street is a National Historic Landmark available for private weddings and social events. The elaborate 1810 design features two ballrooms with period antiques and furnishings, as well as a lovely garden area flanked by stately piazzas for the ultimate in Spring flings.

Shopping: Boutique settings and chic fashions are just a pleasurable stroll away down glorious King Street, where notable names such as Banana Republic, Hampden’s, Brooks Brothers, Christian Michi, J Crew, Victoria’s Secret and Talbot’s beckon a brisk business. Flanked by an array of cozy stops such as Kudu Coffee House and Teavana; antique and jewelry marvels at places like English Rose Antiques and Croghan’s Jewelers; or restful revival at spa locations like Adagio Day Spa and Stella Nova, a day in Midtown is ideal to see and be seen.