1 week Ago
The copper roof rises above the thick subtropical foliage, its panels glinting in the Lowcountry sun. Inside, an arched ceiling rises above a stone fireplace and heart of pine floors with maple inlays. Decks and porches run the width of the home, with a pair of staircases curving down to a pool terrace and manicured lawn.
In the great room, a 21-foot-high double row of tall windows drinks in a coastal vista that includes the dune line, the maritime forest, and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. The seven-bedroom, 8,560-square-foot home at 140 Flyway Drive on Kiawah Island is steeped in the type of luxury people come specifically to the Charleston area to find. Listed for $12.
995 million, the four-level home on a 1.03-acre lot is awash in high-end finishes, fine craftsmanship, and bright, airy spaces—all in a quintessential Lowcountry setting. And it's just one example of what's available on the luxury real estate market in the greater Charleston area this fall.
The Flyway Drive home "offers a buyer terrific value compared to some of the other properties for sale on Kiawah right now," said Leslie Turner, broker in charge and founder of Maison Real Estate, who is listing the property along with colleague Mary Lou Wertz. "The location and privacy this home offers is coveted on Kiawah. There are some oceanfront vacant lots available now, but then a purchaser will have to wait at least two years for design, permitting, and build time before they can start enjoying a home.
One-forty Flyway offers a turnkey home that can be updated or personalized for a buyer to put their personal touch on it." The strength of the Charleston luxury market was evident in the most recent sales figures released by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, which covered the month of September. While overall year-over-year sales for the month were down 10.
9 percent, closings in the $1,000,001-and-up price range surged 27.7% despite relatively low inventory in many areas and a looming presidential election. "Leading up to the election, we saw a noticeable drop in buyers due to uncertainty," said Lyles Geer, president and broker in charge at William Means Real Estate.
"Historically, the real estate market rebounds after elections, and we expect a similar trend this time. We still have a limited supply of homes, and the demand continues, so I expect the market to pick back up in the months ahead." Indeed, there remains a "tremendous desire" for luxury homes in Charleston, added Pam Harrington, owner and broker in charge of Pam Harrington Exclusives.
"The election put a little quietus on buyers in the last month or so—everybody was kind of waiting in anticipation. But I'm kind of waiting for Thanksgiving to come and the floodgates to open up again." "Demand for luxury homes is still very strong in the Charleston area.
Inventory has loosened a bit, but renovated, turnkey properties still go under contract very quickly," added Wertz, broker and founder at Maison. "Demand for high-quality, estate-like homes is still very high. We have buyers looking for trophy properties downtown, on the beaches, and at Kiawah.
" The Charleston luxury market still attracts buyers from all over—the Northeast, the West Coast, and even Europe. The market is somewhat insulated from economic trends because luxury buyers typically deal in cash and aren't as beholden to fluctuations in interest rates as those buyers at lower price points. "I do think that the luxury market here is still consistent," said Misti Cox, manager and agent with King and Society.
"But folks are taking their time and really being more thoughtful and careful with their decisions." What luxury homes are available in the greater Charleston area this fall? Let's take a tour of four properties currently on the market, beginning with a trip back to Kiawah Island. 140 Flyway Drive Talk about a home that's stood the test of time—140 Flyway Drive was constructed in 1995, but its contemporary design and beachfront location have never gone out of style.
Designed by Charleston architect Mitch LaPlante, the home's show-stopper is its great room with those two rows of tall windows, which drench the interior with bright sunlight and ocean views. "With its thoughtful layout and careful design choices, the home feels both timeless and fresh, making it a perfect place for modern family living," said Maison's Turner. "The expansive living room, highlighted by a wall of soaring windows, offers breathtaking views of the beach, filling the space with natural light.
The open-concept design enhances the flow between rooms, making it ideal for both intimate gatherings and large family events." The home's floor plan offers a seamless flow between spaces while still providing areas for privacy. The primary suite is on the west side of the main living level and features a gas fireplace with a stone surround and doors that lead onto a covered oceanfront deck overlooking the pool and beach.
There's a bunk room ideal for kids, an elevator, and a game room with a pool table, television and wet bar. "For families, the design works perfectly, giving everyone their own space while maintaining a sense of connection throughout the home," said Maison's Wertz. "It's the ideal combination of functionality, style, and comfort—truly a home that works for everyday living and special occasions alike.
" The one-owner home is also offered fully furnished, with a few exceptions. The $12.995 million listing also features three garage bays providing ample room for vehicles, bicycles, beach toys, and a private boardwalk to the beach.
"When it comes to luxury real estate in Charleston, location is always a key focus—and today, more than ever, privacy is at the top of many buyers' lists," Turner said. "The allure of a property with direct access to the ocean is undeniable, but it's not just the views that attract discerning buyers. The beach offers an unparalleled lifestyle, with the chance to enjoy activities like swimming, kayaking, kiteboarding, bike riding, kite flying, and even turtle watching, all just steps away from your front door.
" 34 Waterway Island Drive Nestled on a bend in Morgan Creek near where it meets the Intracoastal Waterway, the home at 34 Waterway Island Drive on Isle of Palms was designed with outdoor living in mind. The back of the $10.876 million listing in Wild Dunes features three levels of covered porches on one side and two on the other, with an infinity-edge pool and an expansive deck in between.
It all looks out upon the water, offering glorious Lowcountry vistas in every direction. "During the design phase of this project, we really wanted to capture the island vibe but keep the luxury presence," said Cox, who is listing the home for King and Society. "We worked closely with the architect and designer to truly capture the entertaining lifestyle.
With the ability to hop on the boat from your backyard or hop on the golf cart over to the beach, it was important to us to 'have it all' in this house, but we took it up a notch with the overall design features—we included ambiance lighting, surround sound, barstools in the swimming pool, a fireplace on the deck, a full kitchen. We really were thoughtful during the process." Crafted by architect Carl McCants and designer Amy Trowman, the home is in the final stages of construction.
Crews are currently installing the final interior trim and exterior landscaping and hardscaping. Cox said the house will be completed at the end of January. Beyond the outdoor entertaining area, the six-bedroom, 6,808-square-foot home will have an adjacent deepwater dock and a main-level owner's suite.
"These opportunities do not come around very often," Cox said. "This is the only property in the Charleston area with a private dock this long—120 feet. This dock holds not just one boat but several.
" Inside, renderings show a bright, airy interior to fit the location. The kitchen will feature two islands and a wine room. Other bedrooms include a secondary master and a bunk room.
There are upper and lower laundry areas and a sitting area with a coffee bar. And yet, the outdoor entertaining area still steals the show. Sipping coffee on one of the covered patios, watching the boats go by—that's Lowcountry luxury living at its finest.
"This is a true entertainer's dream home," Cox said. "I really don't think there was anything not thoughtfully considered when planning this home." 126 Hibben St.
Hand-painted floors, antique tile, high-end lighting, and wallpaper make the home at 126 Hibben St. in the Old Village section of Mount Pleasant a feast for the eyes. Every room features a carefully curated combination of colors, patterns, and details, making the five-bedroom, 4,022-square-foot home feel like a splashy interior design magazine come to life.
Built in 2005, the Hibben Street home was purchased by the current owners in 2016. They undertook a series of renovations that completely transformed the residence, located just three blocks from Charleston Harbor and currently listed for $6.85 million.
"They are in the fashion design business, which gives them a great eye for aesthetics and quality," said Geer, who is listing the home for William Means Real Estate. "The interior was entirely reimagined by local architect Beau Clowney to make it more functional, bright, and modern. To bring their vision to life, they enlisted local interior designer Olivia Brock and New York-based designer Lilse McKenna.
The result is a home that stands out in style, quality, and functionality." Details are everywhere—from the custom Snyder Owens Beaux Arts hand-painted floors to the Iksel Decorative Arts wallpaper, to the Urban Electric lighting, and so much more. The kitchen is centered around a La Cornue range, complemented by white oak floors and an antique Delft tile backsplash.
Outside, an oasis designed by landscape architect Glen Gardner and installed by High Marsh includes an automatically covered pool with heat-resistant stone decking and a bespoke garden shed with an attached greenhouse. "The house is perched high on a bluff, so to create a level backyard, they brought in truckloads of soil, all surrounded by mature vegetation that creates a private retreat," Geer said. "They even craned in a custom-built garden folly and attached a greenhouse to it, as the husband is a master gardener.
They also installed a refreshing pool, fully transforming the grounds into a true getaway perfect for year-round enjoyment." There are clever touches like custom-painted living room wall panels that open to reveal secret storage areas and a hidden doorway. There's a glassed-in scullery that was once a dark pantry.
And then there's the elegant wraparound front porch, which catches the breeze from the harbor. "There's no denying," Geer said, "you're in a special place." 203 Glen Abbey Walls in the foyer and kitchen were removed to open up the interior.
A new roof, decks, railings, and a screened porch were installed. Custom maple cabinetry was added to the kitchen and bathrooms, beams were added to the high ceilings, and all bathrooms, bedrooms, and closets were expanded and remodeled. Welcome to 203 Glen Abbey on Kiawah Island, a new home built in 1982.
Indeed, a whole-home renovation completely transformed this four-bedroom, 2,708-square-foot residence located behind the Vanderhorst Gate, which is currently listed for $3.195 million. "It's been totally renovated, so it's all spiffy new, with rooms opened up and the floor plan that people desire nowadays," said Harrington, who is listing the home for Pam Harrington Exclusives.
"The nice screened porch is so livable, with a pretty view of the lagoon in the back. Glen Abbey has always been a very desirable street in Kiawah because it's so easy to get to the beach from there. You have pretty views, but you also have access to the ocean in a really nice area of Kiawah.
" The new screened porch and Ipe deck offer captivating views of the palmetto-lined lagoon behind the property, complementing the home's timeless contemporary design. Inside is a kitchen with two islands, a breakfast bar, and a living area awash in natural light. The residence also features a two-car garage, a wood-burning fireplace, and scenic lagoon vistas from every room in the back of the home.
"My favorite thing is probably the way it lives," Harrington said. "The allocation of space is really, really nice because you have two bedrooms downstairs, and then you have two more upstairs. Everybody's kind of in their own space, but they're all together.
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