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PRIVATE YACHT CLUB
Charleston, SC
This private yacht club was founded in 1888, and in 1907, it moved into an old cotton factor’s office constructed in the mid-nineteenth century along the Charleston Harbor. An addition to the original building was added in 1907 and was later removed to allow for the construction of a new ballroom in 1974.
Planning started in 2015 to assess the condition of this historic building. That process identified various issues needing to be undertaken, ranging from masonry preservation to rehabilitating the 1970s ballroom. The core architectural challenge was to rehabilitate the deteriorating cupola which, while evident on the exterior of the building, was nothing more than a forgotten attic space above the second-floor lobby.
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Completed in 2018, the design approach was to restore the exterior in its present condition and to uncover its forgotten interior with the goal to integrate it into the design of a refurbished lobby and staircase.
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The design of the lobby incorporates timeless detailing and materials that recall the diamond-pattern marble floors of a formal Charleston entryway, while new wood wainscoting and trim throughout provide a warmth and casual elegance desired by the Club.
The use of the building as a rentable event venue has been an important source of revenue for the Club. Though the need to address deficiencies in the building’s infrastructure and life safety compliance was of utmost importance, the client also saw great value in making cosmetic improvements to the building’s dated interiors and restoring the cupola and historic exterior to its former glory. The completion of this work has allowed the Club to remain a sought-after venue in downtown Charleston.
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AIA Charleston
Adaptive Reuse and Renovation Merit Award, 2019
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