Women's Clothing Boutique in Mix Historic Charleston, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named the neighborhoods surrounding downtown Charleston's Union Pier as one of America's "11 most endangered historic places."

The list- compiled annually since 1988- identifies significant sites of American history that the national trust believes are at risk of destruction or irreparable damage.

Read More: People still concerned after hearing developer's redevelopment plan for Union Pier

Charleston's Union Pier-area neighborhoods were named due to a proposed mixed-use development, which the national trust believes "could threaten the area's historic character, viewsheds, and climate resilience."

The 65-acre waterfront site is former marshland that has been used for shipping, industrial production, and port operations since the 18th century. It's currently owned by the South Carolina Ports Authority.

“The 11 Most Endangered list demonstrates the tremendous power of place. Each site offers an opportunity to engage with our shared history where it happened and inspires us to work together to honor each other’s experiences and contributions to our country,” said Chief Preservation Officer Katherine Malone-France. “These places and their stories might have been lost already if not for the dedication and perseverance of people who continue to stand up for them year after year. We are humbled and honored to join their fight.”

Read More: Developers share plan to address traffic with Union Pier redevelopment

Other places listed include Pierce Chapel African Cemetery, Midland, Georgia; Little Santo Domingo, Miami, Florida; and West Bank of St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Visit the "Saving Places" website for the full list and ways to help.

After the list was released, the Coastal Conservation League released the following statement, in part:

"In support of the National Trust’s decision, our organizations stand united: There is a better way. As we wrote this week, the current developer-led plan proposes building sizes and density that are not remotely compatible with Charleston’s historic built environment.

The plan also lacks adequate open space and resilience measures which should be the core focus of any large-scale master plan on the water’s edge. Core elements of the plan, such as affordable housing and the proposed public financing structure are not yet known.

Having worked together to halt disruptive and environmentally damaging cruise homeport operations, the Coastal Conservation League, the Preservation Society of Charleston, and Historic Charleston Foundation continue to collaborate to protect the historic district of Charleston."

Read More: SC Ports Authority shares plans for future Union Pier development

The coalition is hosting three events in May "to follow up on our call for a better process and plan for Charleston’s historic waterfront."

Plans for two downtown Charleston lodgings, one in the French Quarter and the other on upper King Street, are up for review this week.

A boutique hotel is planned for 56 State St., blocks away from Waterfront Park and the historic City Market. The site for decades has housed a convenience store.

Operating Ventures LLC is proposing a 50-room property with a fitness center, meeting space and onsite parking, according to public documents.

The real estate at the corner of Cumberland Street changed hands in March, when 56 State SC Property LLC bought it from East Bay Co. Ltd. for $4.75 million. The four-story project is up for preliminary approval for the mostly brick design from the Board of Architectural Review.

The other hotel the city panel will look at is proposed for 657 King St., on a vacant lot just north of Line Street. Plans show a five-story, 18-room boutique inn with onsite parking, a rooftop area, meeting space and two ground-floor commercial spaces.

Greenville-based Atlantic South Development is listed in documents as the owner, though the sale of the property has not been finalized.

The lot is just south of the overpass where Interstate 26 merges into the Septima P. Clark Expressway. Currently, no other hotel rooms are that far north on King Street.

The BAR will discuss both projects, both the work of Charleston-based Bello Garris Architects, July 12.

Travel talk

At Explore Charleston’s annual meeting last month, the CEO of the U.S. Travel Association was optimism about the post-pandemic outlook for tourism, both locally and nationally.

“The future is bright for the travel industry,” Geoff Freeman said.

While leisure travel has surged nationwide as the global health crisis abated, he said that international, business and group travel is still lagging behind.

With his experience in overseeing the leading advocacy organization for the nation’s travel and hospitality industry, he said the continued momentum hinges on establishing the industry’s status as essential to the broader economy.

Nationwide, tourism accounts for one in 10 jobs with a $1.1 trillion impact, he said.

“This industry is not necessarily taken as seriously or as appreciated as other industries,” Freeman said. “We have seen at a national, state and local level, governments bend over backward to build new manufacturing facilities to welcome new businesses into their state, while at the same time missing the critical importance of the travel industry that’s right in front of them.”

Speaking about Charleston specifically, he said the region seems to have a good handle on what visitors want in a destination, but there’s still work to be done.

“It’s more about how do we tap into the upside potential,” he said. “That is the most important thing Charleston can do in this unique moment. Visitor numbers are strong. Air travel visitation is up 10 percent over 2019. We need to be thinking about: Are we prepared for other segments, like business or international travel, to boom? How can we better support that growth?”

Chefs, restaurateurs, and investors in North and South Carolina continue to open restaurants and bars at an increasing pace. As always, Eater is obsessively tracking the progression of all the premiers — from menu releases to newly installed signage, come here for the latest updates. This list encapsulates the places garnering excitement this spring.

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Location: 697 Haywood Road Key Players: Chef/restaurateur Meherwan IraniProjected Opening: JuneAfter successful stints in Atlanta and Charlotte, Indian restaurant Botiwalla expands to West Asheville in the former BimBeriBon space. Botiwalla comes from Chai Pani owner Meherwan Irani and focuses on late-night foods of India, like chicken tikka skewers, lamb burgers, chaat,

Location: 56 Patton Avenue in the S&W Market Key Players: Katie Grabach and Peyton Barrell Projected Opening: SoonThe newest addition to Asheville food hall the S&W Market, Gourmand will be a spot for cheese, charcuterie, wine, oysters, and baguette sandwiches from New Orleans couple Katie Grabach and Peyton Barrell. Look for plenty of rillettes, terrines, and pickled eggs too.

Location: 1400 Patton Avenue Key Players: Pitmaster Elliott Moss Projected Opening: Late springFollowing the surprise opening of Little Louie’s in March, former Buxton Hall Barbecue chef Elliott Moss will open another comfort food spot named Regina’s. The restaurant will be an homage to greasy spoon diners of the past with plenty of classics on the menu.

Also, keep an eye on:• Areta’s (Mission Hospital Area)• Good Hot Fish (Unknown)

CARY, NORTH CAROLINA

Location: Mixed-use development FentonKey Players: Chef/owner Scott CrawfordProjected Opening: SoonChef Scott Crawford (Crawford and Son, Jolie, and Crawford Cookshop) continues the expansion of his empire with the forthcoming opening of Crawford Brothers Steakhouse. The latest addition will be Crawford’s playground for American steakhouse classics, specializing in dry-aged beef.

Also, keep an eye on:• Doc B’s Restaurant (Fenton)• Saap (Downtown)

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Location: 128 Columbus StreetKey Players: David and Tina SchuttenbergProjected Opening: JuneThe owners of James Island Sichuan restaurant Kwei Fei, David and Tina Schuttenberg, will soon bring Cantonese cuisine to downtown development the Guild. Beautiful South will offer dishes from the couple’s popular Lady Xian pop-up, like golden fried rice, char sui lo mein, General Tso chicken, and more. The menu will evolve from there to offer a range of items from southern China (hence the name) and dim sum.

Location: 1640 Meeting Street RoadKey Players: Nick Dowling and Jeremiah SchenzelProjected Opening: SpringFrom the team behind popular breakfast spot Dap’s, Cleats will be a restaurant featuring sports and sandwiches, which sounds commonplace, but co-owners Nick Dowling and Jeremiah Schenzel don’t do boring. They’re calling it a “sporty sammy public house.”

Location: 15 Beaufain StreetKey Players: Chef Michael Toscano and partner Caitlin ToscanoProjected Opening: SpringLe Farfalle chef Michael Toscano will bring his cult-favorite porchetta sandwich to the West Side, along with other breakfast and lunch items, all on the shop’s housemade focaccia. “The whole place is based around our focaccia — there’s no other bread,” says Toscano, “Imagine having a crusty, warm piece of focaccia with ricotta and a seasonal marmellata for breakfast.”

Location: 251 Meeting StreetKey Players: Chef/owner Maryam Ghaznavi and husband Raheel GaubaProjected Opening: SoonPakistani restaurant Ma’am Saab started as a pop-up, went into a food stall at Workshop, and will now set up residence in the former Jestine’s Kitchen space on Meeting Street. Ma’am Saab serves comfort food from Pakistan, like kababs, pakoras, and more.

Location: 2366 Ashley River RoadKey Players: Pitmaster Hector GarateProjected Opening: March 2023Pitmaster Hector Garate wanted to join the new wave of smoked meat aficionados putting their unique cultural spin on what is typically considered American barbecue. What started as a hobby, smoking brisket for his family, became pop-up Palmira Barbecue and is now set to be a brick-and-mortar establishment. Garate pulls the best bits of flavors and techniques from Texas, North Carolina, and his native home Puerto Rico to create his menu of juicy beef cheeks, smoky pulled pork, and rich barbacoa.

Also, keep an eye on:• Chameleon Club (Downtown)• Clarence Foster’s Cookery & Saloon (Downtown)• Colectivo (Johns Island)• Costa (Downtown)• Da Toscano Porchetta Shop (Downtown)• King BBQ (North Charleston)• Matador (Downtown)• Mix (Mount Pleasant)• The Pickle Bar (Summerville)• Sugey’s (Downtown)

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Location: 1220 South Tryon StreetKey Players: Restaurateurs Greg and Subrina CollierProjected Opening: SpringBeloved breakfast eatery Uptown Yolk will reopen in a bigger space in South End. Look for chicken and waffles, cheesy grits, French toast, breakfast sandwiches, and more.

Also, keep an eye on:• Chapter 6 (South End)• Maíz, Agua, Sal (West Charlotte)• Pizza Baby (Wesley Heights)• Rosemont Market and Wine Bar (Elizabeth)• State of Confusion (LoSo)• The Club House Kitchen & Cocktails (Plaza Midwood)

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

Location: 300 Blackwell Street, in the American Tobacco CampusKey Players: Restaurateurs Zweli and Leonardo WilliamsProjected Opening: SoonRestaurateurs Zweli and Leonardo Williams opened Zimbabwean restaurant Zweli’s in 2018, and now they will expand with a second establishment named Ekhaya. Located in Durham’s American Tobacco Campus, in the former Saladelia space, Ekhaya will focus on cuisine from Bantu communities from across Africa, served tapas-style, in a high-end setting.

Location: Boxyard RTPKey Players: Pitmaster Jake WoodProjected Opening: Early 2023Pitmaster Jake Wood (Lawrence BBQ and Lagoon) created a frenzy in RTP when he introduced a birria taco special utilizing his smoked brisket. This sparked the idea for Leroy’s Tacos n Beers, which will serve birria, Tajin wings, micheladas, and more — all with a side of ‘90s nostalgia in the vibes and decor.

Location: 810 North Mangum StreetKey Players: Chef Oscar DiazProjected Opening: Early AprilThe chef behind lauded Raleigh restaurant Cortez Seafood + Cocktail, Oscar Diaz, branches out to Durham with the opening of Little Bull this spring. Diaz wants to redefine American comfort food through his view as a first-generation Mexican-American who grew up in Chicago and ended up in the South. Look for items like dumplings stuffed with birria and served with giardiniera chimi churri and confit papas.

Location: 806 West Main StreetKey Players: Chef Matt KellyProjected Opening: SpringDurham darling Nana’s opened in 1992, under chef Scott Howell, as a fine dining restaurant and quickly rose to acclaim. The menu was seasonal new Southern cuisine with heavy French and Italian influences. After the restaurant closed, chef Matt Kelly (Mateo, Mother & Sons, and Vin Rouge) took an interest and decided he wanted to keep the tradition going. “Nana’s has always been a great neighborhood restaurant in the American South,” says Kelly, “and that’s what I want to do.”

Also, keep an eye on:• Emmy Squared (Downtown)• Max Jr.’s (Brightleaf District)

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

Keep an eye on:• Brodeto (Raleigh Iron Works)• Sapo and Coqui (Unknown)• The Mill (Olde Raleigh Village Shopping Center)• The Preserve (Unknown)• Village Tavern (North Hills)

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Jamestown, along with local real estate developers Weaver Capital Partners and WECCO Development, has broken ground on the first buildings at Navy Yard Charleston, the 79-acre mixed-use redevelopment of a former naval base in North Charleston.

This first phase of the redevelopment involves converting two historic storehouses — Storehouse 8 and Storehouse 9 — on the project site into a total of 107,000 square feet of mixed-use space for restaurants, retail, office space and apartments. The buildings are scheduled to open in 2024.

The 40,000-square-foot, two-story building known as Storehouse 8 will be restored and repurposed as a restaurant, event space and offices. To preserve the history and character of the building, which was constructed in 1906 as naval administrative offices, the renovation will salvage architectural details such as the original hallways, trim, railings, flooring, slate roof and copper soffits.

The adjacent Storehouse 9, a 67,000-square-foot, four-story building constructed in 1918 as naval administration offices and storage facility, will be converted into restaurant and retail space on the ground floor, a rooftop bar and restaurant with views of the Cooper River and 86 multifamily units offering flexible live/work layouts.

In addition to the redevelopment of Storehouses 8 and 9, this phase of the project also includes the construction of a new restaurant space to be known as Storehouse 8.5 within the plaza between the buildings. The plaza will be amenitized as a community gathering place and include outdoor dining space, event lawn and game area.

Navy Yard Charleston joins a number of historic naval yards across the nation that have recently been reimagined and repurposed for modern use, including the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Navy Yard, Philadelphia. The multi-phase redevelopment, first announced in 2021, will transform the campus into a mixed-use neighborhood.

Since announcing the Navy Yard Charleston project, the development team has partnered with neighborhood organizations and community groups, including Charleston Promise Neighborhood and Historic Charleston Foundation. A neighborhood employment program reserving project-specific positions for local residents will be launched as part of the redevelopment of the Navy Hospital, expected to commence this year.

Navy Yard Charleston began as a working dry dock in 1901, maintaining a naval presence in North Charleston until it was decommissioned in 1996. Today, the site includes the former Navy Hospital, a neoclassical power plant, naval infirmary, and a series of storehouses.

— Kari Lloyd

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – We’re learning more about a plan to develop Union Pier in Downtown Charleston as developers presented early plans and renderings to the city’s planning commission Monday.

The main goal is to increase access to the waterfront in the area using interconnected walkways. Plans also include housing, restaurants, shops, parks, and more.

“All of the things that go into a great urban neighborhood,” said Jacob Lindsey, a representative of the project developer, Lowe.

The 70-acre area will be a mixed-use urban neighborhood, according to Lindsey.

Below are some early sketches of the vision for the project based on the Master Plan provided by Lowe. You can see the whole thing here.

At Monday’s informational session for planning commission members, Lindsey shared how the development would be built to reduce flooding, include greenspaces, and preserve the area’s history. The Rice Mill facade still stands on the grounds and the Mosquito Fleet, a group of African-American fishermen who provided Charleston with fresh fish and seafood for two centuries, used the waterfront near Union Pier for their operations.

During public input sessions over the summer, these topics were some of the most highly mentioned. That’s why Lindsey says they are being taken into consideration.

Robert Summerfield, the Director of Planning, Preservation, and Sustainability for the City of Charleston says it’s an exciting opportunity to build at Union Pier because there aren’t many large open spaces on the waterfront left in the city.

“You don’t have a lot of opportunities like this. There’s just not that many of these types of sites available. I am very optimistic and hopeful we will get a plan the community can endorse and embrace,” said Summerfield.

Beginning in the new year, Lowe will begin creating a more concrete plan to present to the planning commission and city council in April.

It will include updated maps, building details, road alterations, design plans, and more.

The development is a collaboration between Lowe, the South Carolina Ports Authority, and the City of Charleston.