Listing Details

With magnificent rooms, this important home is ready for the next update. Robert Stockton, historian and professor of Architecture at the College of Charleston, says ''This Greek Revival residence is one of the most significant, architecturally, in the city.'' 89 Smith Street was built in 1840 by Jefferson Bennett, son of Governor Bennett. The Bennetts were a family of mansion builders and amateur architects. The residence has additional significance as the home of Edward C. Jones, one of Charleston's and South Carolina's principal architects of the antebellum period. An elegant double front door with sidelights and a transom sets the tone on entry. Flanking the spacious entry hall are two grand rooms, each 16' x 19'. The high ceilings are adorned with impressive plastermoldings and ceiling medallions and each room has an exquisite Belgian marble mantel. All of these have special designs for each room. The second owner, architect Edward C. Jones, added the unique niches in each of these rooms. Directly behind the entry hall is the stair hall with a striking curved staircase and another elegant double door. This door leads back to a gallery space, currently being used as an office. Behind the living room is a family room and powder room, and behind the dining room is the kitchen. There is a piazza on the back of the house, part of which has been enclosed as a sunroom. Upstairs mirrors the main floor, with two 16' x 19' en suite bedrooms on either side of the stair hall. These feature more versions of elaborate plaster moldings and distinctive Belgian marble mantles. There is a third bedroom and bath off the back of the stair hall. This room can be accessed from the master bath and could easily be a Master dressing room or sitting room. From here there is access to the top floor piazza. The ground floor features a 4th bedroom and bath as well as space which can be used myriad ways. Currently one room is the laundry, one a sewing room, another for lots of storage, and lastly, a tool room/workshop. From this level large glass doors access an "undercroft," covered outdoor space with a cement floor. There is a small garden with a patio behind this. A side driveway can accommodate two cars. The house has a total of 4 bedrooms, 4 ½ baths and 4586 square feet* (see below). This enchanting home is rated as "EXCELLENT" in the Historic Architecture Inventory of the City of Charleston. "High style regional architecture fine 'Charleston Style' well designed and proportioned, with good detail. These are spirited, dignified, frequently innovative, rare, and always attractive and interesting. Of irreplaceable importance, to be preserved in situ at all costs." It was awarded the Carolopolis Award in 1989. *According to the measurements by Charleston Measuring the two main levels have living areas of 3,177 sf. Also the ground floor was measured with an additional 1,409 sf but with a ceiling height just under 7'. The total for the house is 4,586 sf.