November 30th, 2008 by Currie
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If you drive up East Bay St and keep trucking past the exit to 17N and the on ramp to I-26, through what is know as “the neck” you will soon reach the area that is being called the largest ever urban re-development in history. This area was left for ruin when the closing of the navy base caused unemployment to rise and home values to fall. But change has come to the area in the form of redevelopment, and this area which was once the no. 1 to avoid has become an investors treasure trove.
Click here to view the Noisette Development Website
The highly-publicized Noisette Community Master Plan, adopted by the City of North Charleston in 2004, set the guidelines for establishing a sustainable community in the wake of the Charleston Naval Base closure in 1996, forecasting a diverse, mixed use community embracing eco-friendly development and environmental restoration in one of the most heavily industrialized cities in South Carolina. In 2005, the master plan won the American Society of Landscape Architects top honors for urban redevelopment and design, which cited Noisette as a national model for municipal revitalization efforts.

For primary home buyers on a budget or anyone interested in investing in rental property this is the area of North Charleston to focus on. Some spots are better than others but depending on your needs there is something for everyone. The following are descriptions of a few of the neighborhoods at the forefront of redevelopment.
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Mixson is a neighborhood of the historic Park Circle area of North Charleston, South Carolina. Mixson is designed around a collection of intimate, urbane streets and lanes, public parks and courtyards, and historic oak trees. It includes a variety of residences, shops, restaurants and cafes, offices, places of worship and other civic gathering spots. Inspired by the historic streets of downtown Charleston and older cities throughout the world, Mixson features winding cobblestone streets, residences connected by archways and intimate parks and plazas. Click here to view the Mixon Development Website

Oak Terrace Preserve is developing its 55-acre site to accommodate approximately 370 residences. By reviving the charm of the late 19th and early 20th century neighborhoods and introducing the latest home innovations, Oak Terrace Preserve has attempted to recreate the nostalgic allure of the craftsman style neighborhood and then merged it with the ideas of the future. With prices ranging from the high 100s to the low 300s this is a very affordable planned urban development in a very short distance from downtown Old North Charleston and a very easy commute to anywhere in the lowcountry. For folks that just want to have a new house in a new neighborhood on a limited budget this is a good solution, they even have yards and beautiful trees and the architecture is well above average for this sort of thing.
Click here to view the Oak Terrace Preserve Website

The area called Park Circle is based on the park round-about and the Old North Charleston town center. It is a strip of commercial buildings which forms the heart of the original town of North Charleston. Today it is home to a thriving business and restaurant scene, including the most authentic irish pub in the Charleston area, Madra Rua, my favorite wood fired pizzeria, EVO. Also worth mentioning is the Park Circle Coffee and Cream which serves a delicious Sunday Brunch, try Miss Gloria’s blueberry pancakes! There are a nice selection of affordable homes in easy walk to the downtown area. Prices range from around $125,000-$400,000 depending on size and location and there are some really cute bungalows in the mid $100s.
Click here to view Evo Pizza’s Website
Click here to view Park Circle Coffee and Cream Website
Click here to view the Madra Rua Irish Pub’s Website
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November 20th, 2008 by Currie

Midtown Project Breakdown
Hotel- 191,000 sq/ft (234 rooms)
King Street Condos- 101,000 sq/ft (20 units)
King Street Parking Garage- 219 spaces
King Street Retail- 17,353 sq/ft
Construction will start in mid-2009 assuming that we get approved at our Dec. 10 Final BAR meeting at 4:30.

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November 20th, 2008 by Currie
to view more work by Lisa Shimko visit: ShimkoART.com
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November 20th, 2008 by Currie
To view more work by Karin Olah visit her website karinolah.com
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November 20th, 2008 by Currie
Charleston artist Kevin Taylor currently lives and works in California. To view more work by Kevin Taylor visit his website:
Kevinearltaylor.com

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November 20th, 2008 by Currie
To view more work by Meg Winnecour visit her website: MegWinnecour.com

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November 16th, 2008 by Currie
Check out the images, photos of the new bridge construction were taken Sunday November 16th, the map shows the mt, pleasant st entrance to the bridge as it crosses the marsh in yellow, I-26 is in red. Magnolia will connect with the northern tip of wagener terrace! This is big because of the large number of commercial venues the neighborhood will gain access to, among many other benefits.

Magnolia is a new, mixed-use community planned for the Charleston Peninsula. The project has been shaped by significant public input to be respectful of Peninsula’s history, environment, and nearby neighborhoods. Magnolia is the largest infill development in Charleston’s history – as many as 4,400 new residential units and up to 2.5 million square feet of commercial space will be built at Magnolia. The development will offer residential opportunities for a cross section of society, as well as retail shops, restaurants, hotels, offices, and corporate headquarters. The Magnolia plan incorporates the urban design principles that make Charleston a unique city. Great streets, parks, green space, plazas, and waterfront access define the public realm and provide the foundation for the high quality of life enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. click here to read more about MAGNOLIA

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November 16th, 2008 by Currie
There are three restaurants within half a block of chez-moi now. The latest is Fuel. I love it for it’s great back yard ticki style bar with decks and bocci court, the best mojitos and sweet potato fries in town, but the best part of all are the mahi tacos! I also dig the decor which is in a large part paying homage to the buildings original role as a filling station.

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November 16th, 2008 by Currie
The new neighborhood buzz is Trattoria Lucca, an italian restaurant that just opened on the corner of Bogard St and Ashe. To those of us (me) who grew up in the neighborhood (corner of Rutledge and Bogard) this restaurant is a stunner. Not just because of the stunningly beautiful restoration of the building by it’s owner Ian Tomlinson, but the belief that a high end restaurant could succeed in the place of what was once “The Patio Tea Room”, a greasy soul food spot with handwritten signs on the wall that read “No Babies on the Tables!!” The syrup laden sweet tea has been replaced by crisp prosecco and the greasy fat back is now a lovely prosciutto. Change is happening in the old neighborhood and change of this sort is undoubtably good, and good tasting! It’s a good idea to call for reservations: 843 973 3323

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November 16th, 2008 by Currie
Just a block behind Cannon St. is a new development where an awful blighted park once stood. The high density style community is a beautiful example of the new urban ideal. Large attached units include pull in garages underneath spacious multi-floor living spaces, with porches and rooftop decks. The commercial spaces are still vacant (probably due to somewhat expensive monthly regime fees). Compared to Midtown the feel is more old world village than modern urbanity, and the location is has a more residential and peaceful feel as compared to the Midtown’s heart of the city, active feel. Overall, I like it as a great spot to live. Call me, Currie McCullough @ 843-853-2004 or email currie@53cannon.com for more info or to schedule a showing.


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