Charleston Charm: Colonial Revival Showplace ‘C. Bissell Jenkins House’ for Sale

With views of the Low Battery and the Ashley River, this mansion exudes immaculate Southern elegance

Here you get an idea of the immaculate custom pool, the covered piazza at the western wing, the gardens, and the courtyard beneath the breakfast room. (Courtesy of Ellis Creek Photography)

One of Charleston peninsula’s grandest properties, the C. Bissell Jenkins House on Murray Boulevard, is available for purchase. Built in 1913, the house was the first home located along the new thoroughfare near the Ashley River. Designed by Walker and Burden architects, the mansion is a perfect example of the Charleston Colonial Revival style that became popular in the early 20th century. The asking price for the house, one of the most recognizable in this prestigious part of the city, is $11,200,000.

Monumental in every respect, the property’s wonderful Tuscan portico, red tile roof, and rooftop observation deck are perfect complements for the unique location. Situated on a half-acre of landscaped gardens, the house is built from Summerville brick and trimmed in limestone. The three-story main house, its two-story guest house, and the lush grounds and pool face the wide Ashley River, James Island, and Charleston’s famous harbor in the distance.

Built by Charleston businessman and banker Claudius Bissell Jenkins, the five-bedroom main house features imposing rooms encased in fine plaster, exquisite mahogany paneling, a wide center hall, and a grand staircase. On the first floor, there’s an all-glass morning room, gallery, study, and superbly appointed kitchen.

The second floor of the house features a three-room master suite, which spans the entire front of the mansion and faces the river. This suite has its own piazza, separate laundry room, and a gigantic gym space tall enough for a basketball goal should the new owners choose. There’s also a mini-bar on this level. A guest suite takes up the east side of the floor and has its own private sun deck overlooking the formal gardens below.

On the third floor, you'll find another mini-bar and kitchen, a second laundry room, walk-in cedar closets, plus three more spacious bedrooms with en suite baths of their own. A custom-made staircase designed by architect Eddie Fava leads to the rooftop deck with its commanding views of Charleston. Across the gardens below, a reimagined two-story guest house features wonderful views and amenities. The first level has a private suite with bath, while the second level boasts a tasteful main bedroom with master bath.

There’s no doubt the prestigious location and the elegance of an age gone by serve to distinguish this property.

The entrance foyer looks out onto the Low Battery and the Ashley River, which borders the Charleston peninsula. C. Bissell Jenkins was the developer of this part of the city, with his house being the first built here. (Courtesy of Ellis Creek Photography)

A view of the spacious kitchen from the family room. This space is a nice blend of traditional colonial charm with unpretentious contemporary utility. Adjacent on the left is the breakfast room with doors leading to the pool and gardens. (Courtesy of Ellis Creek Photography)

The larger of twin living rooms on either side of the entry, the west facing one features a fireplace with an exit onto a large balcony overlooking the pool and gardens. (Courtesy of Ellis Creek Photography)

Here again, you see the uncompromising workmanship exhibited in the house’s master suite lounge. The suite takes up the entire front of the second floor and the doors lead onto a balcony overlooking the river. (Courtesy of Ellis Creek Photography)

This magnificent paneled gallery between the living room and the family room/kitchen area serves as a stylish transitional space. Homes of this style are noted for the extravagant use of different materials, in this case mahogany panels. (Courtesy of Ellis Creek Photography)

The lavish crimson of the sitting area carries over into an immaculate and cozy master bedroom with its own west-facing balcony. On the other side of the sitting area, the master dressing room features a fireplace and huge closets. (Courtesy of Ellis Creek Photography)

The two-bedroom guest house has been reinvisioned as a mix of classic-meets-contemporary charm. The open floor plan and modern feel are a pleasant departure from form. The house features all the luxury and style you’d expect. (Courtesy of Ellis Creek Photography)

The rooftop observation deck offers the owners a 360-degree panoramic view of one of America’s most beautiful cities, the harbor, and the barrier islands beyond. (Courtesy of Ellis Creek Photography)

Bissell Jenkins House Charleston, South Carolina $11,200,000

• 7 bedrooms
• 9,415 square feet
• 0.5 acres

Key Features:

• Charleston Colonial Revival architecture
• Prestigious corner property
• Commanding rooftop views
• Pool and gardens
• Contemporary guest house

Agent Carriage Properties Charles Sullivan, founding partner 843-266-8006