81 Rutledge Ave Charleston, SC 29401
UPDATED:
Key Details
Property Type Single Family Home
Sub Type Single Family Detached
Listing Status Active
Purchase Type For Sale
Square Footage 11,737 sqft
Price per Sqft $528
Subdivision Harleston Village
MLS Listing ID 25014073
Bedrooms 11
Full Baths 6
Half Baths 2
Year Built 1826
Lot Size 0.400 Acres
Acres 0.4
Property Sub-Type Single Family Detached
Property Description
" Carriage house (third building)
" Originally housed carriages, a community room for servants, and seven small bedrooms
" Middle house (original house)
" Built before 1775, constructed using wooden pegs
" Now divided into rental units
" Main house
" Built in 1826 by Dr. J. Glover with 18-36 inch thick brick walls
" Formerly served as the Italian consulate
" Original painted ceilings deteriorated, but gold leaf cornices in the living and dining rooms remain
" Cornices were custom-made in France to fit windows, mirrors, and French doors
Historical Significance
" First recorded sale in 1775 - included the building now used as rental property
" 1826 - Mansion built by Dr. Joseph Glover (1740-1840), a respected physician and advocate for urban greenery
" Later ownership
" Arthur Gordon Rose (1794-1880) - President of the Bank of Charleston
" Early 1900s - Used as a school for girls, later purchased by the Benjamin Moise family
" 1906 - Bought by Giovanni Sottile, Italian Consul, who added Italianate details
" Hosted King Victor Emanuel of Italy
" 1991 - Passed to Carmelina Sottile Thompson
" 1999 - Purchased by the current owners
Architectural & Preservation Details
" Mid-19th & early 20th century - Italianate embellishments and ironwork added
" Front doors feature ornate grille work, similar to those at 1 Broad Street (possibly linked to banker Arthur G. Rose)
" Hand-carved vestibule door with fruit relief, made in England
" Kitchen renovated in 2023 - New cabinets and appliances
" Original floor plan remains intact - Owners prioritize historic integrity
" Structural enhancements
" Air conditioners added to rooms without them
" Sump pump system installed to prevent flooding
" Survived earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and war
Gardens & Atmosphere
" Ideal for entertaining - Hosted numerous parties, charity events, and musical gatherings
" Lush gardens with over 80-year-old sago palms
" Other plantings include loquats, pomegranates, camellias, hydrangeas, and azaleas, cared for by the current owner
This historic Charleston estate offers a blend of grandeur, history, and tranquility, preserving its architectural and cultural heritage.
Location
State SC
County Charleston
Area 51 - Peninsula Charleston Inside Of Crosstown
Rooms
Primary Bedroom Level Upper
Master Bedroom Upper Multiple Closets, Walk-In Closet(s)
Interior
Interior Features High Ceilings, Garden Tub/Shower, Kitchen Island, See Remarks, Walk-In Closet(s), Family, Formal Living, Entrance Foyer, Game, Great, Living/Dining Combo, Media, In-Law Floorplan, Office, Separate Dining, Study, Utility
Heating Central, Ductless
Cooling Central Air
Flooring Ceramic Tile, Vinyl, Wood
Fireplaces Type Three +
Laundry Laundry Room
Exterior
Exterior Feature Balcony, Stoop
Garage Spaces 3.0
Fence Brick, Wrought Iron, Fence - Wooden Enclosed
Community Features Dog Park, Park, Tennis Court(s), Walk/Jog Trails
Porch Patio, Covered, Porch
Total Parking Spaces 3
Building
Lot Description 0 - .5 Acre
Story 7
Foundation Crawl Space, Slab
Sewer Public Sewer
Water Public
Architectural Style Victorian
Level or Stories Multi-Story, Other (Use Remarks)
Structure Type Block,Brick,Stucco
New Construction No
Schools
Elementary Schools Memminger
Middle Schools Courtenay
High Schools Burke
Others
Financing Any
Special Listing Condition Flood Insurance