Property image 1 at 55 E Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401

55 E Bay Street in South of Broad, Charleston, SC

55 E Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401

$9,600,000

209 views
21 saves
Property Highlights

Bedrooms

5

Bathrooms

5

Year Built

1785

Property Type

Residential

Property Details

This stunning c. 1785 four-story masonry home has been carefully preserved, exhibiting significant historical integrity. It has undergone a meticulous renovation, elegantly updated to accommodate modern living and entertaining. Book-ended by Rainbow Row and High Battery, the Jonathan Simpson House was built within the original walled city by a wealthy merchant. Twelve-foot ceilings and grand rooms allow the house to be filled with light. The pine floors run the full extent of the house (28'). Much of the original molding, cypress paneling, doors, and interior shutters remain. The current owners created a hyphen to connect the original home and kitchen house under the direction of renowned Charleston architects Dufford Young, with construction by Artis, winning a 2019 Carolopolis Award.The project allowed for a new side garden design by Sheila Wertimer. The gourmet kitchen features a butler's pantry, mudroom, and floor-to-ceiling steel doors overlooking the side garden. The former kitchen house now features a spacious second-floor guest suite or office and a large secondary living room flanked by original fireplaces, as well as access to the screened porch overlooking the magnificent backyard that encompasses nearly a quarter of an acre of peace and tranquility. Plans were created for a 10' x 30' swimming pool and have been approved by the city.

The original staircase remains, rising eloquently for all four flights, one of the tallest in the city. The second floor of the home has a 21x25 drawing room with five floor-to-ceiling windows. Across the hall, a primary suite with a fireplace and a private porch overlooking historic rooftops and palmetto trees. The third floor includes two spacious bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms, as well as a laundry room. The front bedroom offers clear views of Charleston Harbor. The back bedroom offers a private porch that's perched in the palmetto trees. The fourth floor is laid out as a two-room guest suite with a full bathroom and a living room, incredible historic and water views from every window.

Of significant architectural interest is the cantilevered marble balcony, which projects from the second floor and is the only one in Charleston constructed in this manner. The elliptical fan light and the use of tall, glazed windows typify the work of the Adam period. Also of notable distinction is the detailed woodwork and roping around the door frame, which makes this one of the more attractive entrances in historic Charleston. The home retains architectural features of the late Georgian period, also embracing the ornamentation that more closely resembles the Adam style or the Federal period of architectural development.

Listing Information
  • LocationCharleston
  • MLS #CHS726811c1f923fc4cdcbaf97c92a693f1
  • Property TypeResidential
  • Year Built1785
  • Last UpdatedJune 10, 2025

Get in contact now

(864) 670-2100

Drew Nichols

Drew Nichols

Available 8AM-9PM ET

Property Details
Bedrooms:
5
Bathrooms:
5
Total Building Area:
7,343 SqFt
Lot Size:
8,276 SqFt
Year Built:
1785
Property Type:
Residential
Property Sub-Type:
SingleFamilyResidence
School Information
Elementary:
Memminger
Middle:
Courtenay
High:
Burke
School assignments may change. Contact the school district to confirm.

Additional Information

Region

0
C
1
H
2
S

Lot And Land

Lot Size Area
0.19
Lot Size Acres
0.19
Lot Size Units
Acres

Agent Contacts

List Agent Mls Id
21735
List Office Name
The Boulevard Company
List Office Mls Id
9040
List Agent Full Name
Debbie Peretsman

Room Dimensions

Bathrooms Half
1
Room Master Bedroom Level
Upper

Property Details

Directions
Broad St Or S. Battery To E. Bay St.
M L S Area Major
51 - Peninsula Charleston Inside of Crosstown
Tax Map Number
4581301068
County Or Parish
Charleston
Property Sub Type
Single Family Detached
Construction Materials
Block, Stucco

Exterior Features

Roof
Slate
Fencing
Wrought Iron
Other Structures
No
Parking Features
Off Street, Other
Patio And Porch Features
Screened

Interior Features

Cooling
Central Air
Window Features
Window Treatments
Laundry Features
Laundry Room
Interior Features
Ceiling - Cathedral/Vaulted, High Ceilings, Garden Tub/Shower, Walk-In Closet(s), Eat-in Kitchen, Family, Formal Living, Office, Pantry, Separate Dining

Systems & Utilities

Sewer
Public Sewer
Utilities
Charleston Water Service, Dominion Energy
Water Source
Public

Financial Information

Listing Terms
Cash, Conventional

Additional Information

Stories
4
Garage Y N
false
Carport Y N
false
Cooling Y N
true
Feed Types
  • IDX
Heating Y N
false
Listing Id
25016001
Mls Status
Active
Listing Key
726811c1f923fc4cdcbaf97c92a693f1
Coordinates
  • -79.927446
  • 32.774133
Fireplace Y N
true
Carport Spaces
0
Covered Spaces
0
Entry Location
Ground Level
Co List Agent Key
b4ea554db9b066dc50225f7c48d994fe
Standard Status
Active
Co List Office Key
dd9d7183ad7e80035584054a814fa763
Source System Key
20250608125428758575000000
Co List Agent Mls Id
28307
Co List Office Name
The Boulevard Company
Building Area Units
Square Feet
Co List Office Mls Id
9040
Foundation Details
  • Basement
New Construction Y N
false
Property Attached Y N
false
Co List Agent Full Name
Scott Cheney
Co List Agent Preferred Phone
843-718-5218

Showing & Documentation

Internet Address Display Y N
true
Internet Consumer Comment Y N
true
Internet Automated Valuation Display Y N
true