Harleston Village Restoration

This 1880s Charleston single house, complete with a rear carriage house, carries more than a century of family history within its walls. Thomas Winthrop purchased the property for just $375 in 1875 and built the two-story wood residence four years later. He and his wife, Emma, raised six children in the home’s original four rooms, and the property remained with the same family for approximately 100 years.

With Mitchell Studio guiding the architectural restoration, the year-long project required a careful balance of preservation, modernization, and coordination with the Board of Architectural Review. Reclaimed shiplap and beadboard were paired with updated materials to retain the home’s nostalgic character, while the interiors were thoughtfully adapted for greater comfort, function, and everyday livability.

The carriage house addition added a bedroom and bathroom, expanding the flexibility of the property, while a ductless HVAC system improved performance and reduced concerns associated with locating mechanical systems in a flood-prone crawl space.

During the renovation, the original property deed and title were discovered within a wall of the home more than a century after they were first recorded—an extraordinary connection to the people who built and lived there. The result is a thoughtful reimagining of a historic downtown residence that preserves the story and charm of old Charleston while preparing the property for its next chapter.