Situated in the heart of downtown Charleston, on a high corner lot in Harleston Village is the grand and exquisitely maintained Thomas Banister Seabrook House. This home embraces Charleston history with original details from 1816 giving the feel of an historic Charleston single combined with easy living and maintenance as a condo. The home is absolutely stunning, with large, elegant rooms, exquisite plaster medallion, elaborate carved moldings and paneling details, high ceilings, eight working gas fireplaces with gorgeous mantels, full working interior wood shutters with original hardware, sliding pocket doors, and original heart pine floors. The architectural details in this home are some of the finest found in Charleston. Its sunny southern orientation overlooks the private garden and floods the home with natural light with over 60 windows providing the utmost privacy from Rutledge Ave.
Enter through the wrought iron gate from Rutledge onto black and white checkerboard marble walkway and staircase to the wide piazza, welcoming you to the property. The beautiful arched piazzas hint at the elegance of the interior. Through the double doors, you are greeted with an elegant staircase rising three floors. The living room features an incredible 300 year old hand carved marble Italian mantelpiece of exquisite beauty and detail with rosettes, female figures, flowers, and other sculptured ornamentation (even the Smithsonian has commented on this majestic mantle). The gorgeous mirror over the fireplace enhances this luxurious space. The incredible plaster medallion over the crystal chandelier and the finely carved crown moldings are spectacular. There is a reading nook adjacent to the living room in the three story hexagonal tower, likely added in the late 1800s.
Many of the tower windows are stained glass. The dining room is large enough to host all of your gatherings, and features a black marble gas fireplace. The dining room opens onto the kitchen through grand pocket doors. The kitchen, truly the heart of the home, has quality wood cabinetry, granite countertops, large center island with bar seating, farmhouse style sink, Dacor gas cooktop, Dacor oven and convection oven, Subzero refrigerator/freezer plus additional Subzero refrigerator drawers, and plenty of storage. Another working gas fireplace makes the kitchen very cozy in winter months. Doors from the kitchen open onto the generous piazzas, making entertaining a breeze. A large walk-in pantry, powder bathroom with 200 year old marble sink, and hallway with back door entrance from piazza complete the first floor. The primary bedroom on the second floor is a true retreat. This bedroom is grand and features a fireplace and large windows.
The very large primary bathroom is spa-like with soaking tub, separate walk-in shower, dual vanities, 2 Murano glass chandeliers and Murano sconces, another fireplace, exposed brick wall and opens onto the piazza for private relaxation. Laundry is conveniently located here, and the very large walk-in closet will accommodate all of your clothing, shoes and gear. The second floor piazza is wide and runs the length of the house. It is ideal for catching afternoon breezes and enjoying a beverage with a birds eye view of the neighborhood. The guest bedroom on the second floor is large and sunny, with an ensuite full bathroom with clawfoot tub. The third floor offers two bedroom and full height ceilings and large windows, rare for third floor bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own ensuite full bathroom.
Also on the third floor are two beautiful Adamesque mantels as well as a clawfoot tub and marble sink in the tower bathroom. The east bedroom has views of the Ravenel Bridge. The home includes a coveted and rare detached garage with tandem parking for two cars plus storage. There is additional parking for 2 cars inside the gated driveway with entrance off Bull Street. The southern garden is for exclusive use of 104 Rutledge, and is fully fenced and gate.
