South Carolina

Wild Dunes Resort, Where They Wrote The Book On Tennis

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

If the U.S. Open has gotten you in a tennis frame of mind, you might want to head down to the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, South Carolina to practice your skills. Wild Dunes has been listed at some of the top tennis resorts by Tennis magazine. The instruction is led by Charly Rasheed, the resort's Director of Tennis. He has written a book "Brain Alignment: The Art of Focus in Tennis." Beginning September 8, new instructional tennis packages available at the Resort include "Focus for Results" and "Fall Group Stay, Focus on Play," with each including a complimentary signed copy of Brain Alignment: The Art of Focus in Tennis authored by Rasheed. "Focus for Results" is ideal for an individual or couple looking to improve their game while "Fall Group Stay, Focus on Play" completes the ultimate tennis getaway for groups. The resort has 17 Har-Tru courts, including a stadium court, with five of the courts lit for night play. Guests also have access to a full-service pro shop and a top-ranked teaching program.

Rasheed and his team instruct players on the philosophy of brain alignment and how it relates to the sport of tennis. "My theory and how it applies to philosophy of brain alignment suggests that in a competitive arena, such as tennis, we are two selves," said Rasheed. "We are the logical self and the athletic self. Understanding and harnessing these two selves is central to improving an individual's game." Visit Wild Dunes Resort's website to view footage of Rasheed teaching the fundamentals of the service toss and doubles strategy.

There's more to do than just tennis at Wild Dunes. The resort also has championship golf, a spa and of course, beautiful dunes.

Tags: charly rasheed, south carolina, tennis, tennis lessons, wild dunes resort

Of Restoration And Renovation: The Gaillard-Bennett Home, ca.1800, Charleston, SC, Estate of the Day

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

One of the most historic homes in Charleston, South Carolina is the Gaillard-Bennett House on 60 Montagu Street. It was built in 1800 by Theodore Gaillard, a successful trades person. It is in the heart of downtown Charleston's historic district, and is the end product of a massive four year, multi-million dollar restoration. It is for sale for $13M, the second high estate real estate listing ever recorded for Charleston Peninsula.

It is a 10,000 square foot home, with five bedrooms, 5 baths and 2 half- baths. It also has a 3000 square foot kitchen house, a 2000 square foot carriage house, as well as a pool house, pool, tack house, and and multiple garages. Set on one and one quarter acres, surrounded by a stuccoed privacy wall, it is one of Charleston's most elaborately embellished Federal mansions. The main house is a two and one half stories, with a front porch and two side decorative porches, each with a pagoda roof. The pool and gazebo overlook the home's garden: one of the largest in the city. The main house has approximately 10,000 square feet. The Historic Charleston Foundation holds the Preservation Easement.

Gallery: 60 Montagu

Tags: Adamesque style, charleston, charleston real estate, David Hueske, estate of the day, Gaillard-Bennett Home Charleston, Glenn keyes Architecture Firm, Historic district in Charleston, Historic Homes Of The South, historic Southern Homes, Preservation Easements, renovation homes, restoring historic homes, restoring historic Southern Homes, Richard Marks Restorations, South Carolina, south carolina real estate, The Historic Charleston Foundation

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Sword Gate House, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's estate might just be in need of a price cut. It's been on the market since last year when it made news as being the most expensive private home in South Carolina. The Sword Gate House on Legare Street in Charleston has seven bedrooms and a carriage house for a total of around 14,000 square feet of space on a lot of less than an acre.

The home was built back in 1808 and has been carefully renovated with the latest in technology including a generator for power outages. The four-story main house has a grand staircase, ball room, drawing room, library and both a main dining room ad a breakfast dining room. The master suite has two separate dressing rooms. The home includes a commercial kitchen with a wine cellar and there are both maids and butlers quarters. This home is listed at $23 million.

Gallery: Sword Gate House

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Mount Pleasant, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home has a tough road ahead, its $10 million price tag is the highest asking price ever sought for a home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The five-bedroom home was built in 2003 and sits at the mouth of Shem Creek, positioned for lovely tranquil views of Ravenel bridge, the Charleston skyline, Sullivan's Island, and Fort Sumter. The saltwater pool shown above spans the length of the house and faces the water.

The State reports that the most expensive home sale on record in the area was in Old Village and went for $3.25 million in 2007. The home sits on 1.32 acres and has a deep water-covered dock on Shem Creek. It was built in 2003 but has the look of an older home complete with that beautiful plantation style porch. Inside there are high ceilings and wide planked reclaimed antique heart of pine flooring on all three floors. On the first floor the foyer hall runs from the entrance to the rear double French doors leading out to the pool. The kitchen opens to a family room with a fireplace and there is also a formal dining room. A large wood-paneled gathering room has built-in cabinets with gun cases and the adjacent media room has a large drop down projector screen and LCD projector. What should be a den or a study with wood paneling, shelves and a fireplace has been pressed into service as a gym. The second floor has the master bedroom suite which has a private porch for enjoying the views. There are two other bedrooms and a home office on this floor. The third floor serves as a combination den, recreational room, built-in beds and full bath. An elevator connects all three stories. Think it will get the asking price?

Gallery: Mount Pleasant

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Weehaw Plantation, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Take a large historic plantation in South Carolina, add a couple newer homes and you've got the Weehaw Plantation just outside of Georgetown, South Carolina on the Black River. The 650-acre plantation has two beautiful homes (circa 1991 and 1997) and overlooks a 35 acre controlled rice field impoundment. Weehaw was one of the earliest successful rice plantations in the area. The main house was built in 1997 but has the look of an older home. Stroll down the road and you are at the Lodge which also has a great view of old ricefields and rivers. This home has a more casual low country style with a wide porch. This secluded, protected property is listed at $4.5 million.

Gallery: Weehaw Plantation

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Culture Traveler's Dream: Spoleto in Charleston

by Amanda Gordon (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Art

The good life is well lived in Charleston, South Carolina during the Spoleto Festival USA, which brings the world's highest caliber opera, theater, music, and dance to one of America's most elegant, historic and beautiful downtowns, bursting with culinary and shopping gems. Become a high level supporter, and you'll also get treated to some Southern hospitality at private soirees to meet the artists. And for the culture vulture who likes to break a sweat kitesurfing, it's all just a 10-minute ride from the beach.

Highlights of this year's festival, which runs from May 28 to June 13:
* The Dock Street Theater, one of America's first (pictured at right), reopens after a three-year renovation with a work selected to re-create and celebrate history: the English ballad opera "Flora," which, in 1835, in Charleston, was the first opera performed in the American colonies. Neely Bruce conducts.

* The Milan-based Colla Marionette Company works its small-scale, big-impact magic with "Philemon and Baucis", a marionette opera composed by Franz Joseph Haydn for Prince Esterházy on the occasion of a 1773 royal visit by Empress Maria Theresa.

* The young New York-based Gallim Dance, with Juilliard-trained dancers, performs "I Can See Myself in Your Pupil." This dance troupe won raves last summer at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

* Under the stars and a canopy of oak trees, Lizz Wright and Fabiana Cozza will be among the sultry performers in an outdoor jazz series.

* Sample a range of string ensembles, from the post-classical quartet Brooklyn Rider, associated with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, to the banjo- and fiddle- players the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

With 45 productions total, the festival will have you either in the audience or discussing a performance morning, afternoon, and evening. Don't forget to make time for a stroll down the cobblestone streets, and taking in historic sites. Fort Sumter, where the first engagement of the Civil War took place, still guards the harbor. Tickets available at http://www.spoletousa.org/

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Spring Island, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

We've been to Spring Island, South Carolina before to check out Bank of America chief exec Ken Lewis's getaway home (still on the market and the price keeps dropping). Today's estate is in the same area and belongs to former Proctor and Gamble executive Tom Laco. The property consists of two separate lots, the 3.48 acre lot the house is on and a 3.13 acre lot directly across the pond from the house which provides privacy and serves as an ample nesting area for local birds.

The five-bedroom home sits high above Rice Gate Pond and offers a panoramic view of the pond and a thousand acres of Spring Island marshes. The home's master bedroom is on the main floor of the residence and two guest rooms are located in a separate wing with two additional bedrooms on the upper level of this bi-level home. The living room, study, dining room, sunroom, office and three bedrooms all have views of the pond and salt water marsh. The three car garage is currently configured to accommodate two automobiles, a golf cart and a work shop. The home has over 1,600 square feet of porches and terraces and there is a freestanding greenhouse and a rose garden. This home is listed at $2.75 million.

Gallery: Spring Island

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Ken Lewis Still Trying To Sell His South Carolina Home

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Last month, the Wall Street Journal mentioned that Bank of America chief executive Kenneth D. Lewis was having trouble selling his vacation home in South Carolina. Today with Lewis in the news for his testimony in Washington D.C. it's a good time to revisit this charming summer home. Mr. Lewis bought the home with Dennis Thompson, founder and CEO of Charlotte, N.C.-based restaurant operator Firebirds International in 2002 for $3 million.

The charming home was designed by Mark P. Finlay and featured in the June 2000 issue of Architectural Digest. It has three bedrooms and 5,734 square feet of space. It includes antique heart pine and English limestone flooring, a large screening room and a two-car garage with office and security system. The home is located adjacent to a 400-acre nature preserve and has a deepwater dock. It went on the market last year then was pulled off the market but now it is back on and the price was recently cut to $3.3 million meaning that this home likely won't offer much of a return on his investment for Lewis.

UPDATE: As of November 2009, this home is listed at $2.975 million.

Gallery: Ken Lewis On Spring Island

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36 Chapel Street, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

I loves these old homes in Charleston, South Carolina. 36 Chapel was built in 1809 by Anthony Vanderhorst Toomer and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home is located in the historic district of Wraggborough and is surrounding by fencing and mature plantings including a formal parterre garden with rare Drake elms in front, with a private bricked patio and fountain in the rear. The restored home has an entry hall that opens to spacious formal living and dining rooms, leading to an open kitchen with marble counters and island, breakfast area with wet bar, and Wolf and SubZero appliances tucked into brick arches. There is a covered porch off the kitchen which provides easy access to the rear courtyard and features sun and privacy shutters. The family room has a gas-log fireplace and plasma screen television. The second floor master suite includes a private office or nursery room, large walk-in closet and a spacious bath with garden tub and separate shower. There is also awood-paneled library with fireplace on this level; as well as a sunroom which opens onto the upstairs rear piazza. The two guest bedrooms and a full bath are found on the third floor. The entire ground floor is a separate one-bedroom apartment or guest suite with a full kitchen and bath. This home is listed at $2.1 million.

UPDATE: This home is now listed at $1.695 million.

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Gallery: 36 Chapel

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Spring Island, South Carolina, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home takes us to a peaceful spot in Okatie, South Carolina. This gracious home has a stucco exterior, metal roof, generous porches and verandahs, and very open comfortable living area. There are three large bedrooms and a bonus room which has over 550 square feet that could easily be made into a fourth bedroom, playroom or office. The first floor includes the master bedroom, the large kitchen and breakfast area-with a fireplace-into the living and dining area and outside to the porches and verandas. Other features include a wood-paneled office, a formal dining room, art studio and wet bar. There is also a two bedroom guest cottage with a complete kitchen and large living room with fireplace. The home is on nearly ten acres and the Twin Pipes Pond meanders by the side of the home. It is listed at $3.75 million.

The home is part of Spring Island, a master-planned community about a half hour away from Hilton Head, that includes a private Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, 30-acre equestrian facility with 35 miles of riding trails, private tennis and fitness facilities, community boat docks; 33 freshwater and saltwater fishing lakes and a 1,200-acre nature preserve and wildlife
education center.

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Gallery: Okatie, South Carolina

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Sandhurst, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Estate commenter Spectacular Bid first mentioned this estate on this site a year ago when we were looking at another Aiken, South Carolina property, which is also still up for sale. The Sandhurst Estate is a Stanford White designed Winter Colony estate on five equestrian acres. It has an impressive Corinthian columned facade and inside it is a Gilded Age treat with marble baths, hardwood wainscoting and floors and high ceilings. The home was built in 1887 and is part of Aiken's Historic District The 10,500 square foot residence has 11 bedrooms, 10.5 bathrooms and 10 fireplaces and has been used as a bed and breakfast. It is listed at $3.39 million.

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Gallery: Sandhurst Estate

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19 Battery, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

A desirable piece of land often has a long history and such is the case with 19 East Battery in Charleston, South Carolina. The property's enviable waterfront location meant that it was pressed into service as a fort. It was the site of Fort Darrell during the Revolution and later named Fort Mechanic, for the mechanics of the city who gave their labor to build it in 1794 when a French naval invasion was expected. It was then home to the Holmes House before the present yellow brick mansion was built around 1919 for Julius M. Visanka and was designed by architect Albert Simons. When it was built it was one of the grandest homes in the area and it has been in the same family for 66 years. It has panoramic views of Charleston Harbor. The home has a Renaissance style and the interior includes four bedrooms, a formal living room, study, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, walk in pantry, second floor office and an elevator. The home has plenty of outdoor space including a rear garden with a large in-ground pool. The property includes a detached two car garage with space above for a guest house. This home is listed at $7.3 million.

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Gallery: 19 Battery

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Orange Street, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

I have to applaud the real estate lister for honesty on this one, the listing states that the rooms are "comfortable, but not large." This is the price one pays sometimes for an older home and today's home, a Jonathan Badger tenement, c. 1770 (brick portion possibly dating to circa 1693) in downtown Charleston is definitely old by American standards. This four-bedroom home has maintained many of its original features right down to the 1770 lock on the front door. The first floo has a formal living room, music room and formal dining room with fireplaces, beautiful moldings and high ceilings. The kitchen has wall ovens, an electric cooktop with ventilated grill, a built-in microwave, refrigerator, trash compactor, instant hot water dispenser, garbage disposal, and ice maker and a walk-in pantry offers storage. Adjoining the kitchen is a small den with a large brick fireplace. The second level includes the master bedroom with a large walk-in closet/dressing room as well as a lady's dressing room with a fireplace, multiple closets, and a vanity. The full bath contains two sinks, a bidet, toilet, jacuzzi tub, and separate shower. A drawing room/library offers a fireplace flanked by built-ins. Two additional rooms, which could serve as a bedroom, study/office, or sitting room, share a full bath. On the third level, there are two more bedrooms which share a full bath. The private and gated bricked driveway can accommodate parking for 4 cars and there is a formal garden with azaleas, camellias, loquats, mini magnolias, yew, juniper, and 120 rose bushes. If your furniture is small and your heart is traditional, this is one great place. It is listed at $2,625,000.

Gallery: Orange St.

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Sea Pines Beach House, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

South Carolina's Hilton Head is home to many newer houses and overall they seem to have a higher taste quotient than other newer homes in hot areas. Today's example takes the traditional plantation style and luxes it up in a style that is elegant but also casual. The home is 7,200 square feet with a great room, living room, gourmet kitchen and a large veranda. There are five bedrooms including a master suite with his and hers baths, dual offices, a dressing room, exercise room and two balconies. The waterfront property also includes a lap pool with a waterfall spa. It is listed at $8.25 million.

Gallery: Sea Pines Beach House

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Most Expensive Zip Codes: 29401, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most expensive zip codes in the United States, up today, 29401. This zip code refers to the beautifully historic town of Charleston, South Carolina. This zip code in the fast-growing Southern city has a median price of $1,590,000 with an appreciation of 228% since 1990.

To explore this town we've got one beauty of an old home. This home on King Street in the historic district is the Patrick O'Donnell house it was built by O'Donnell over the period of 1852-1870 who was building the house for his bride but took so long finishing the job that his fiancé married another. The home was once lived in by the women who inspired the character of Melanie in Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind.

The home has an 18th century Venetian palazzo exterior with a cross-ventilated New York brownstone interior and wide Charleston-style porches. The home has been beautifully restored. Details to swoon for include random width heart pine floors, heavy moldings and ceiling medallions, 11 fireplaces with faux marble mantles, French doors and an antique elevator. The kitchen has modern appliances such as Gaggenau ovens, Gaggenau commercial gas range, SubZero refrigerator and a walk-in wine cooler in a setting of exposed brick with a pressed tin ceiling. There is a billiards room, a cherry library with a track ladders, a bar room, guest bedroom with a cedar closet, large master suite, a bedroom with built-in children's beds and another guest room. The fifth floor is home to a rooftop deck, wet bar and outdoor shower. The property also includes a pool and a three-car garage and there is a guest house with a galley kitchen, bedroom and living room. This home is listed at $7.895 million.

Gallery: Most Expensive Zip Codes, 29401, Charleston, SC