Charleston city leaders to review plans for senior living facility on King Street

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The city of Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday will review plans for a proposed seven-story senior living facility on upper king street.

If approved, Liberty Senior Living would sit at the intersection of King Street and Columbus street.

Robert Summerfield, the city of Charleston’s Director of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability, said during a previous review, the Liberty Senior Living development team requested the demolition of the existing building on the property.

Some say that the building is historic, which is why the proposal was getting push back.

The building in question is an art deco-style building, that Summerfield said was believed to be a part of a couple of different minority enterprises in the early 1900s. Given the history of the retail shops, Summerfield said the board felt the building needed to remain on site.

If approved, the idea is to move and rework the building in an attempt to preserve its historic elements.

Summerfield said the developers are required to save the facade, and the first 25 feet of the building- the rest is allowed to be demolished.

“Today will be the first meeting where we really see that finer detail in how all of its going to integrate...so that you create synergy between that older building that’s there and the architectural style that they’re moving toward with the new development,” Summerfield said.

Liberty Senior Living Development Director Patrick Allen said the city would benefit from the facility and it would offer residents a chance to stay on the peninsula.

“Charleston will benefit from a senior living community for several reasons.  There are a wide range of options for students and traditional apartment residences, but we saw a real opportunity to provide a high-quality senior living option,” Allen said. “This community will be the first Life Plan Community on the peninsula and will offer residents of downtown Charleston the choice to stay in the neighborhood they lived in for years.  They can continue to visit the same doctors, easily attend their grandchildren’s ball games and enjoy the restaurants they have come to love.  Second, with the influx of retirees to the area, there is significant demand for homes for seniors.  This community will offer a wonderful new home, as well as the benefits of healthcare for residents.  Next, our model allows residents to own their home versus renting.  Having owners living in the neighborhood will be a real benefit to the area.  Lastly, because we provide significant healthcare and other services, this new community will create upwards of 50 new jobs of varying skill levels.”

Wednesday’s meeting starts at 4:30 and will be held in the public meeting room at 2 George Street.

For more on the meeting agenda, click here.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.