May 28th, 2009 by Currie
This Saturday, while you are checking out the all day portrait slam down at 103 Spring St, run around the corner and grab some food and drink in celebration of Fuel. Those of us who remember the gas station corner with the junk cars can really appreciate this anniversary. Fuel turned the blighted site into a downtown oasis, and opened a year ago (time flies). Since then we have had sweet potato fries, fish tacos, snow boarding, fake snow, bocce balls, and live music in our very own corner cabana. Happy Birthday Fuel, and many more! Fuel is located on the corner of Rutledge and Cannon across from the Hominy Grill. View the website online at www.fuelcharleston.com
Fuel is a full service food and drink station
Austin Dandridge/TheDigitel
Fuel restaurant celebrating one year
Fuel is throwing itself a birthday party to celebrate its first year this Saturday, May 30th.
Enjoy your Saturday on Fuel’s back patio with $5 burgers, $3 tacos, $2 Coronas, $3 Margaritas, $3 Grandma and Jager shots, and, of course, a few rounds of Bocce. Rocky Horror will be DJ’ing.
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May 28th, 2009 by Currie
This coming Saturday, May 30th from 10am-10pm, awards at 8:30, 16 artists will face off in a portrait contest at Elliotborough’s newest business Eye Level Art. The garage at 103 Spring will be the location for the artists to duke it out while onlookers root for their favorite, and judges make the final call. I can’t wait to go, especially since I will be rooting for my dad, William McCullough. Go to eyelevelart.com or Check out the following video invitation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mio7MGrIStg
Self Portrait by William McCullough
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May 28th, 2009 by Currie
I popped into Velvet Salon on Spring St. today to take advantage of their great new promotion, 80’s Wednesday means 80’s prices on hair services. This was my first visit to Velvet since the dramatic transformation and I was so amazed by how great the renovation turned out. The owner Melissa Pope had an ecco friendly mission and the beauty is just a bonus. Gorgeous bamboo and a dramatic combination of modern and antique (they even kept an original sink) make this a truly unique space. Melissa says she loves the location, she sites convenience along with neighborhood support and a young artistic vibe as well as proximity to MUSC as the Cannonborough highlights. Carrie and Amber enjoy the people watching and friendly neighbors. They point to a beautiful orchid, a gift from neighbor Tiger Lily florist. The salon is giving back to the neighborhood with a fab new idea, today’s haircuts at 80’s prices! The new promotion was like totally awesome! Back in the eighties, hair was big and prices were small. I spent thirty bucks and my hair looks better than it has since high school, if only Kirk Cameron had stopped in for a cut. For more on this great downtown Charleston salon check out their website www.velvetsaloncharleston.com
Eighties Ladies, Carrie, Melissa, and Amber at Velvet Salon
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May 25th, 2009 by Currie
The Charleston Board of Architectural Review
The Charleston Board of Architectural Review decides whether or not to permit changes to the exterior of homes in downtown Charleston South of the center of Line St. The following description from the Preservation society outlines the form and function as well as the history of the board. I recommend attending a meeting. Meetings can be entertaining, educational and sometimes even confrontational. The photo above is not representational of the current members of the Charleston B.A.R.
The Board of Architectural Review (BAR) in Charleston was established in 1931 to ensure “the preservation and protection of the old historic or architecturally worthy structures and quaint neighborhoods which impart distinct aspect to the City of Charleston, the state and the nation.”
BAR meetings are open to the public and held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, 4:30 p.m., in the third floor conference room of 75 Calhoun Street. Application forms, deadlines for submissions, fees and meeting schedules may be obtained from
City of Charleston
Department of Design, Development and Preservation
75 Calhoun Street / 3rd floor
Charleston, SC 29401-3506
(843) 724-3781
Composed of seven members who are assisted by the city’s Department of Design, Development and Preservation, the BAR reviews all exterior alterations visible from any public right-of-way. The BAR’s jurisdiction encompasses all buildings in the Old and Historic District of Charleston regardless of age, including new construction. Within the Old City District (south of Line Street), the BAR has jurisdiction over buildings more than 100 years old and buildings rated as a category 1, 2 or 3 in the city’s architectural inventory.
A project must usually receive conceptual, preliminary and final approval by the BAR before work can proceed. Conceptual approval of height, scale and mass is arguably the most important approval for new construction. Some projects must come before the BAR several times before this is granted. Preliminary and final reviews are what their names imply: preliminary issues may address windows, small design issues, etc., while final approval encompasses details such as paint color, materials and craftsmanship.
HCF preservation staff review all agenda items coming to the BAR. Staff also meets routinely with homeowners, architects and developers who want to have the Foundation’s input in their design or restoration process.
In its review sessions, HCF staff seeks to determine if the changes proposed generally follow the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. These standards include making sure that original features are repaired or replaced in kind — for example, a wooden column should only be replaced with a wooden column, not fiberglass. New additions to historic buildings should not harm the original building and should respect it by being subordinate in size and scale. Additions should be clearly differentiated from the original construction, yet at the same time be architecturally compatible.
Requests for demolitions are at the heart of the BAR process. When deciding on the merits of a demolition request, HCF staff looks at the physical state of the building to determine if it is damaged beyond repair. They also seek to determine if the structure has architectural merit. Is it the only example remaining of its kind? What happens to the rest of the street if this one building disappears? HCF has been particularly concerned in recent years by an acceleration of demolitions of Freedmen’s Cottages and some 20th century architecture, such as small garage structures.
The idea of style — traditional vs. contemporary — is a big issue in Charleston these days. Beyond the style debate, important considerations for new development is the articulation of heights, scale or mass. In addressing new construction, HCF staff has generally asked that a new structure be appropriately designed for its location, be built of quality materials and with good crafsmanship and attention to detail. HCF consistently asks for excellence in design.
Charting Your Course
The following are some things to keep in mind as you chart your course through the BAR process:
* Know if your property has any covenants and easements on it. If Historic Charleston Foundation or the Preservation Society of Charleston holds an easement or covenant on your property, you will need to first work with that organization to obtain permission for work.
* In addition to the BAR process, separate reviews may need to be secured from the City of Charleston’s Zoning Division, Building Inspections, and Department of Public Services.
* It is always a good idea to retain the services of a qualified architect and contractor.
* Talk to your neighbors about your plans. This is not only a courtesy between neighbors, it may save you time and trouble as you make your way through the process.
* You may be able to obtain city staff approval for small changes to your property. However, for Category 1 buildings and for larger projects, you or your representative (usually your architect) will have to present your project before a public meeting or meetings of the Board of Architectural Review. In making these presentations, be sure to address the site’s architecture and the architectural merits of your application.
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May 23rd, 2009 by Currie
For those skeptics who have been snickering about the Magnolia “Change is on the way” billboard, here is the latest shot of the bridge across the marsh. Charleston’s most ambitious development is well underway in out of the way locations, and while we didn’t notice, they were connecting an industrial clean up zone to downtown Charleston, Sc. Change is on the way indeed, and a big change especially for the Wagener Terrace neighborhood, which will soon have a large commercial district just across the marsh!
Cherokee Development Partner's nearly complete bridge to Magnolia
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May 22nd, 2009 by Currie
The newest addition to the commercial scene is the heavily under construction site at the corner of Coming and Cannon, just across from 5 Loaves Cafe lies the old brick building that is undergoing a major facelift. Formerly a church of some sort, Ann Bowen was lucky enough to make it her own last year. She admitts that the large project has been a leap of faith but is excited about her hard work paying off. Ann has big plans for the spot. The Coming Street entrace will usher guests into the home of ASB Flowers. Ann invisions the space as not only the home to her floral design studio but also a class room, where she plans to instruct small groups in the art of floral design. Additionally the space will have some retail arrangements. All in all, another reason things are pretty rosy in Elliotborough!
Ann Bowen in her new space on Coming at Cannon
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May 22nd, 2009 by Currie
When Helen “Cokie” Berenyi, a veteran financial planner and her engineer husband Tony Berenyi found the space on the corner of Coming and Cannon they fell in love with it. The then vanilla box space anchoring the Midtown Development would soon become a modern haven and juxtaposition to the antiquity of Charleston, Sc. Cokie hired Heidi Walker of Walker Design Group and the collaboration turned out beautifully. Within a cozy yet sleek atmosphere Cokie explains the personalized approach which sets her firm apart. She describes her clientelle as a small select group who she offers an individualized and focused level of service. She loves her Elliotborough location and the high visibility and convenience it offers. Welcome to the neighborhood Cokie, we are glad to have you! To find out more visit www.redtriangle.us
The zen of wealth management and great style at Red Triangle
www.redtriangle.us
Modernism at the Elliotborough intersection of Cannon & Coming
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May 22nd, 2009 by Currie
EyeLevelArt.com
Owner Mike Elder stands in front of his new space at 103 Spring St.
It was over a year ago that Mike Elder and his partner Adrienne Antonston first had the vision that this dirty nasty auto body repair shop could become Charleston’s biggest and best contemporary art space. The space at 103 Spring has so much to thrill and surprise a viewer, and then they add the art…The two biggest shockers are the fact that the building is home to a facade of an early 1800’s house. The facade complete with windows, doors, hardware and even what is left of it’s original coat of paint stands to the left of the room behind an i beam and iron pillars. The back doors of the building open to surprise even more. From the cool concrete space, you emerge into a lush garden with cool blue ponds complete with floating lily pads and orange fish. Overall the experience is something like going through Tolkien’s wardrobe or Carol’s rabbit hole. Eye Level Art @ 103 Spring St. is not to be missed. To keep up with their schedule of events check out EYELEVELART.COM or just stop by, the space is open continuously through Spoleto from 5-8pm. There is always plenty of parking (take Spring St from King cross Coming and the space is on the left before Rutledge Ave.
Finally a Charleston Gallery large enough for BIG paintings!
Art patrons are amazed at the monumentality of the new space
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May 8th, 2009 by Currie
Last night’s opening of Mac & Murphy paper company at 74&1/2 Cannon St was a hit. The chic petite space was standing room only and there was a mob at the register all night. I just snuck out to the lovely garden terrace to enjoy some bubbly (courtesy of Caviar and Bananas) and chat with my friends and neighbors. Among the crowd were Will Milner and Capers White from the Charleston Guide Book, Claire Xidis, president of the Cannonborough/Elliotborough Neighbohood Association, Bonnie Denninger of Carolina Framing located in the neighborhood, Bryte Lesene Van Dalen of the upper King St. shop Lesesne www.shoplesesne.com, Andrea and Gustavo Serrano of Suite Sole an upscale sneaker boutique at 47&1/2 Spring St. along with Bill Bowick and David Bouffard of Sugar Bakeshop at 59 & 1/2 Cannon. The hostesses Liz Macpherson and Ami Murphy were beaming! The store has received rave reviews on the unique space and equally unique inventory.
Co-owner Liz Macpherson greets guests in front of Mac & Murphy
serious shopping for sassy and unique cards and stationery
view of Cannon St from the window of the neighborhood's newest shop
Co-owner Ami Murphy runs the register
Conversations over champagne in the garden terrace
Guests gather around the bubbly
Andrea and Gustavo Serrano of Suite Sole join in the festivities
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May 7th, 2009 by Currie
new art venue on Spring St opening soon
kick off party May 16th 7-11
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May 26th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Currie: Love your site! thanks for including us—keep up the great work. Cokie