152-Year-Old Charleston, South Carolina Landmark Building Revitalized by East West Partners

East West Partners Debuts Revitalization of 152-Year-Old Landmark Building

Nationally awarded real estate development firm champions historic preservation with the remarkable transformation of 71 Wentworth into contemporary residences

CHARLESTON, S.C. (November 14, 2024) – East West Partners, a premier, nationally awarded residential and commercial real estate development group with a flagship office in Charleston, announces today the grand opening of 71 Wentworth, a collection of 12 exceptional residences in the heart of historic Charleston. Located on the iconic King Street corridor on the corner of King and Wentworth Streets, the project marks a complete, top-to-bottom revitalization of a circa-1872 historic building with a richly layered tenure in the community.

“Restoring 71 Wentworth allowed us the opportunity to pay homage to the architectural integrity of Charleston’s past,” says Chris Frampton, CEO of East West Partners. “An incredibly creative collaboration, the end result is a collection of thoroughly modern homes set inside an absolute gem of a building. After years of dreaming about this architectural landmark, we’re proud to debut its next era and to welcome residents and guests alike.”

East West Partners’ vision for 12 distinctive residences was brought to life alongside an industry-leading design team including Kevan Hoertdoerfer Architects, Cortney Bishop Design, and Trident Construction. The residences were initially offered starting at $1.7M and sold out within several months.

RICH HERITAGE IN THE HOLY CITY

Representing an integral part of the Charleston skyline for more than 150 years, the iconic landmark was originally a palatial Masonic Lodge designed by famed Charleston architect John Henry Devereux in Tudor Gothic Revival style with richly molded and arched windows soaring as high as 18 feet tall and cathedral ceiling heights of 20-40 feet. In 1877, due to financial challenges, the Freemasons came to an agreement with South Carolina militia unit the Washington Light Infantry, giving the organization access to utilize meeting spaces on the second and third floors rent-free in exchange for financing the building. The Freemasons ultimately sold 71 Wentworth in the mid-1940s. Thereafter, the first floor was used primarily as retail space, while the second and third floors would be used for performances, office space and storage. The building’s first floor is still utilized today as retail space along Wentworth and King Streets.

In the 1950s, as part of the building’s modernization efforts, the original 16′ and 12′ Tudor Gothic-style windows at 71 Wentworth were replaced with small metal, international-style windows to allow for one of the first central HVAC systems in the Southeast. As a significant piece of East West Partners’ restoration efforts, a team of nine tradesmen and more than 20 crewmen meticulously restored the 41 original windows, a nearly $2 million investment in the overall project. Due to the age of the building, each window opening varied in size and had to be laser-measured for fabricating. Each custom-made window is comprised of five different pieces, some of which weigh close to 300 pounds and had to be manually installed. 

“71 Wentworth represents a once-in-a-lifetime project for East West Partners and our partners, and it has been a true honor to usher this architectural icon into the modern age while paying homage to its rich history,” says Graham Worsham, East West Partners project manager.

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON LUXURY CHARLESTON LIVING

Seamlessly blending historic architecture with contemporary touches, 71 Wentworth’s mix of two- and three-bedroom residences feature soaring ceilings; historically replicated Gothic-style windows; exterior loggias in select residences; exposed antique brick and salvaged heart pine timber and beams; luxury kitchens; and more. East West Partners collaborated with acclaimed designer Cortney Bishop on the interior finishes for the residences and common areas. In addition to selecting interior and exterior finishes, Bishop furnished a two-story pied-à-terre in the building.

“As a Charleston native, I’m incredibly honored and proud to have had a hand in restoring this iconic landmark with such historical significance in the city,” says Bishop. “We made a concerted effort to preserve as much original detail as possible, while making highly considered updates to suit modern living – from plumbing to light fixtures, tile to floor finishes, and kitchen cabinetry to space layout.”

Through a partnership with hospitality company Inspirato, 71 Wentworth owners have an opportunity to enroll their residence in the company’s luxury vacation club and enjoy access to the Inspirato network of rentals across the globe. Homeowners also enjoy a variety of high-touch services such as dedicated resident concierge; weekly property inspections; grocery delivery and stocking; valet laundry and dry cleaning; and more.

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About East West Partners:

East West Partners is devoted to building, selling, managing, and supporting high-quality real estate and lifestyle experiences with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community. Since 1986, the firm has developed and sold over $7 billion of residential and commercial real estate across the country. East West Partners is one of only a few companies to have received three Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for its projects, including Beaver Creek Village in Beaver Creek, Colo. and Union Station Neighborhood and Riverfront Park, both in Denver, Colo.  In Charleston, the team is recognized for developing community projects in the downtown area, including condominiums at One Vendue Range, Gadsdenboro Park’s The Gadsden, 71 Wentworth, as well as mixed-use development of residences, townhomes, and marshfront homes at The Waterfront on Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant’s Tides IV and recently completed The Cape on Kiawah Island. 

Media Contact:

C&R PR

eastwestpartners@candrpr.com

About Inspirato:

Inspirato is a leading luxury hospitality company that creates extraordinary vacations both through our private destination club and through partners who leverage our industry management expertise. As the only hospitality company to exclusively manage a portfolio of branded luxury vacation homes and curate one-of-a-kind adventures through our Inspirato Only experiences, we can provide a luxurious experience and first-class service that discerning travelers can rely on wherever they travel. For more information on Inspirato, please visit www.inspirato.com. 

Media Contact:

Benjamin Shoff
bshoff@inspirato.com

About Courtney Bishop Design:

Cortney Bishop is an internationally renowned interior designer. As principal and owner of Cortney Bishop Design (CBD), a full-service, Charleston-based interior design firm founded in 2007, she works with clients to design modern eclectic interiors in some of the most sought-after locations along the east coast and around the world. Her work has been recognized by leading publications such as Architectural Digest, Better Homes & Gardens, Domino, ELLE Décor, Luxe Interiors + Design, House Beautiful, RUE, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Beyond running CBD, Bishop is also founder of Harwood House, a premier line of woven textiles created in collaboration with Holland & Sherry, and the founder of album: an experiential and immersive e-commerce platform featuring a hand-selected collection of furniture, decor, and art from the world’s leading artists and artisans, made available for a limited time.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of East West Partners / Nick Cann Photo.