Aerial view of 295 Calhoun site
In fall 2021, a Georgia-based owner appealed the Board of Architectural Review’s denial of a design for an 8-story, mixed-use, residential building at 295 Calhoun Street. The applicant’s request for conceptual approval was twice denied based on inappropriate height, scale, mass, and architectural direction. Having strongly supported the BAR’s denial, the Preservation Society was unsettled by the applicant’s effort to subvert the public review process by seeking a closed-door settlement.
Conceptual design for 295 Calhoun Street, denied by the BAR-L in August 2021
After unsuccessful mediation, the project returned to the Board of Architectural Review in late 2022, ultimately being denied a third time. Shortly after the project’s latest denial, the developer again filed a lawsuit against the City of Charleston and the Board of Architectural Review.
While the PSC may not always agree with BAR decisions, its authority is fundamental to why Charleston continues to be one of the best-preserved and unique historic cities in the country. As Charleston becomes an increasingly desirable place to live and invest in, the BAR has come under tremendous pressure as development explodes across the peninsula. The PSC stands firmly behind the authority of the BAR and will be pressing the City to defend the Board’s ability to turn down inappropriate proposals, especially as the 295 Calhoun case progresses.
Resources
Map of the original boundaries of the Old and Historic District, established 1931. Since then, the district and purview of the BAR has expanded to cover the majority of historic resources on the Charleston peninsula. By Erin Minnigan and Brian Turner On October 13, 1931 Charleston City Council adopted the landmark ordinance that created the […]
Conceptual design for 295 Calhoun Street, denied by the BAR in August 2021 The Georgia-based owner of 295 Calhoun has appealed the Board of Architectural Review’s denial of its design for an 8-story, mixed-use, residential building on the site. The applicant’s request for conceptual approval was twice denied based on inappropriate height, scale, mass and […]
Rendering of the rear of the proposed building at 295 Calhoun, looking north This week, the BAR unanimously DENIED the proposed building at 295 Calhoun for a second time. The PSC was pleased the Board responded to our call to turn down the proposal, due to how closely it resembled the version denied in April. No meaningful […]
The 8-story, mixed-use building proposed for 295 Calhoun Street, across from Roper Hospital, is back for BAR-L review this Wednesday. As you may recall, this project was denied in April after an incredible outpouring of community opposition and agreement by the Board that the building was overly massive and unrelated to Charleston’s unique character. Left: […]
Last night, the Board of Architectural Review-Large unanimously DENIED the proposed 8-story, mixed-use, residential building at 295 Calhoun Street. An incredible outpouring of community opposition reinforced the PSC’s objections to the building’s overwhelming height and mass, and total lack of relationship to Charleston’s unique architectural character. The public’s response was one of the strongest we have ever seen on a single project and sent a […]
Several major projects are on the docket for the Board of Architectural Review – Large (BAR-L) meeting this Wednesday, April 14 at 4:30 PM and we encourage you to get up to speed and weigh in. Review the projects on the City’s website here and submit your comments to the Board here. Highlighted on the map above, projects up for […]