69 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Local realty services provided by:Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Medley
Listed by: mary lou wertz, leslie turner
Office: maison real estate
MLS#:26026443
Source:SC_CTAR
69 Church Street,Charleston, SC 29401
$12,500,000
- 7 Beds
- 9 Baths
- 8,524 sq. ft.
- Single family
- Active
Price summary
- Price:$12,500,000
- Price per sq. ft.:$1,466.45
About this home
69 Church Street represents one of Charleston's most significant residential offerings, a grand pre-Revolutionary estate of exceptional architectural pedigree, remarkable scale, and extraordinary privacy in the heart of the historic district. Built circa 1745 and set on an expansive .29-acre lot on picturesque Church Street, this Category 1 Georgian double house is among the largest and most important surviving residences of its era in the city.From the moment one enters, the scale and quality of the architecture are striking. The main residence follows the classic Charleston double-house plan, with four principal rooms on each floor arranged around an elegant central stair hall rising four stories.Soaring ceilings of more than 11 feet extend through three floors, an exceptional feature for a house of this period, and beautifully proportioned nine-over-nine double-sash windows fill the interiors with natural light.
The home is a remarkable expression of both the Georgian and Federal periods, with an extraordinary collection of original and period details. Fifteen fireplaces, King of Prussia marble surrounds, Delft tiles, exquisite mantels, wainscoting, original interior wood shutters, bespoke moldings and finely executed woodwork appear throughout. Among the most memorable rooms are the magnificent second-floor ballroom, the gracious drawing room, and the richly paneled cypress library. Remarkably, the third floor retains the same generous ceiling heights and window proportions found on the principal floors below, with the primary suite spanning the entire east side of the third floor.
Despite its historic pedigree, the residence functions beautifully for modern living. Each bedroom has an en suite bath--an unusual luxury in a historic Charleston house. The original kitchen building is connected to the main residence by a hyphen and butler's pantry. The kitchen house contains a period-style kitchen and comfortable den overlooking the gardens through distinctive lancet-arched windows. Two additional bedrooms with two full baths in the kitchen house provide wonderfully private accommodations for family, guests, or live-in staff.
Equally extraordinary are the grounds. Behind high brick walls, five exquisitely landscaped garden rooms unfold across the unusually deep property. Mature heirloom camellias, towering podocarpus, citrus and pomegranate trees create a lush, established landscape with a sense of discovery at every turn. A charming secret garden gives way to a large oval swimming pool, one of the earliest private pools downtown, with historic brick hardscape and secluded within the gardens, framed by Gothic Revival-inspired privies. A covered trellis anchors the far end of the pool, perfect for dining al fresco or enjoying some shade while poolside. The rear garden with fruit trees opens onto Ford's Court and provides additional off-street parking.
For all its grandeur, 69 Church Street possesses an unexpected intimacy. Once inside its walls, the property feels remarkably quiet and private. The house flows effortlessly for large-scale entertaining, yet its library, den, garden rooms and hidden corners provide equally compelling spaces for retreat.
Its history is inseparable from that of Charleston and South Carolina. Likely built by Richard Capers in 1745, the house was later occupied by Colonel Jacob Motte, who served as treasurer of the colony for 27 years. Meetings of the Commons House of Assembly were held here, likely in the second-floor drawing room, before construction of the historic State House at the corner of Broad and Meeting in 1791. In 1778, the residence was occupied by Colonel James Parsons, a member of the Continental Congress who had been offered the vice presidency of South Carolina prior to the formation of the United States. After suffering extensive damage during the Civil War, the property was purchased in 1869 by Eliza Middleton Huger Smith, who restored the house. Her granddaughter, Alice Ravenel Huger Smith, grew up in the home and became one of the most celebrated artists of the Charleston Renaissance and an important chronicler of the city's architecture. Many of her watercolors and sketches depict views from the windows of 69 Church Street, and her seminal The Dwelling Houses of Charleston was published in 1917.
The current owners purchased 69 Church Street in 1998 and have continued that tradition of wonderful stewardship, undertaking extensive renovations while meticulously preserving and maintaining the property's architectural integrity.
Few Charleston residences combine this degree of architectural importance, provenance, scale, privacy, gardens and livability. Set on one of the highest elevations within the old walled city and occupying an extraordinary estate-sized parcel, 69 Church Street is more than a historic residence, it is a tangible part of Charleston's story. Properties of this caliber and significance are held for generations. The opportunity to become the next steward of one is exceedingly rare....
Contact an agent
Home facts
- Year built:1745
- Subdivision & Development:South of Broad
- Listing ID #:26026443
- Added:45 day(s) ago
- Updated:November 07, 2026 at 03:35 PM
Rooms and interior
- Bedrooms:7
- Total bathrooms:9
- Full bathrooms:8
- Half bathrooms:1
- Flooring:Ceramic Tile, Wood
- Kitchen Description:Eat-in Kitchen, Kitchen Island, Wet Bar
- Living area:8,524 sq. ft.
Heating and cooling
- Cooling:Central Air
- Heating:Forced Air
- Central air:Yes
Structure and exterior
- Year built:1745
- Building area:8,524 sq. ft.
- Lot area:0.29 Acres
- Lot Features:High
- Levels:4 Story
Schools
- High school:Burke
- Middle school:Simmons Pinckney
- Elementary school:Memminger
Utilities
- Water:Public
- Sewer:Public Sewer
Finances and disclosures
- Price:$12,500,000
- Price per sq. ft.:$1,466.45
Features and amenities
- Laundry features:Laundry Room
- Amenities:Ceiling Smooth, High Ceilings
Parking
- Parking description:Off Street
New listings near 69 Church Street
- Coming SoonOpen Fri, 4 to 6pm
$535,000Coming Soon3 beds 2 baths1,600 sq. ft.5 Wardlaw Court, Charleston, SC 29414
MLS# 26030032Listed by: CHARLESTON HOME TEAM - Coming Soon
$635,000Coming Soon4 beds 3 baths2,439 sq. ft.2893 Rutherford Way, Charleston, SC 29414
MLS# 26029861Listed by: BRAND NAME REAL ESTATE - New
$245,000Active2 beds 1 baths640 sq. ft.1125 Armstrong Avenue, Charleston, SC 29407
MLS# 26030175Listed by: THE BOULEVARD COMPANY - New
$495,000Active3 beds 2 baths2,200 sq. ft.5008 Northfield Court, Charleston, SC 29414
MLS# 26030161Listed by: CAROLINA ONE REAL ESTATE - New
$400,000Active3 beds 3 baths1,678 sq. ft.1847 Heldsberg Drive, Charleston, SC 29414
MLS# 26030130Listed by: EXP REALTY LLC - New
$3,895,000Active3 beds 4 baths2,377 sq. ft.284 Meeting Street #201, Charleston, SC 29401
MLS# 26030134Listed by: THE CASSINA GROUP - New
$4,995,000Active4 beds 5 baths4,846 sq. ft.20 Guerard Road, Charleston, SC 29407
MLS# 26030137Listed by: CAROLINA ONE REAL ESTATE - New
$675,000Active4 beds 3 baths1,710 sq. ft.857 Piccadilly Circle, Charleston, SC 29412
MLS# 26030148Listed by: EXP REALTY LLC - Open Sun, 11am to 1pmNew
$465,000Active3 beds 5 baths1,377 sq. ft.2326 Park Stone Drive, Charleston, SC 29414
MLS# 26030152Listed by: CAROLINA ONE REAL ESTATE - Open Sat, 11am to 1pmNew
$999,000Active2 beds 2 baths1,133 sq. ft.8 Pitt Street #A, Charleston, SC 29401
MLS# 26030159Listed by: SMITH SPENCER REAL ESTATE
Protect your home and budget from life's surprises with an Assurant Home Warranty, backed by a partner that supports you through every step of homeownership. Explore Plans.
© 2026 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. An Anywhere Real Estate company. All rights reserved. Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate is a registered trademark owned by Meredith Operations Corporation, licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC and used with permission. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Listing information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate.
Each office is independently owned and operated.
Any services or products provided by third parties are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC, or its affiliated companies.