Listing Details

12 Franklin Street is a stately Italianate residence, including an attached kitchen house and separate carriage house. This Category 2 property is distinguished by its side garden landscape that allows wonderful garden views and access from every room. The delightful garden at the center is framed and made private by gated courtyard parking, piazzas directly adjacent, slate walkways and terrace, and at the rear, the most charming little house designed by architect Glenn Keyes. Thoughtful integration of house and garden is achieved and that is what makes this property so special. Although fully restored, much of the historic detail is intact; there is no better description than that provided by the Historic Charleston Foundation: 12 Franklin is an excellent example of a masonry Charleston town house of the mid-nineteenth century. It retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and contributes to the significance of the Charleston Historic District. The building was rated as Category 2: Excellent in the 1973 Feiss-Wright inventory of Charleston. Described as "High style regional architecture – fine 'Charleston style' - well designed and proportioned – good detail – spirited, dignified, frequently innovative, rare, and always attractive and interesting. Of irreplaceable importance, to be preserved in situ at all costs." DETAILS: Front gable parapet. Brownstone steps. Cast iron fence. Solid brick scored stucco. English encaustic tiles in vestibule. 5 fireplaces. Heart pine and brick floors. Stained glass doors and restored stenciling. Slate walkways and terrace with pergola. Carriage/garden house with half bath, copper roof, and its own secret garden. Potting/storage shed.