SC historic John Ravenel house on High Battery in Charleston is for sale for $22.25M. Take a look
It’s one of those instantly recognizable houses among many in Charleston and it’s for sale for $22.25 million.
Eight bedrooms, 10 baths, the John Ravenel House at 5 East Battery Street is a 9,407 square-foot stuccoed brick house on High Battery, the stone seawall where the Ashley and Cooper rivers empty into Charleston Harbor built during the late 18th century.
The house, built around 1848 and rebuilt after the 1886 earthquake, has views of Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter.
The house was built by John Ravenel, then went to his son Dr. St. Julien Ravenel, a planter who designed the Confederate semi-submersible craft Little David, helped develop the phosphate industry and Charleston’s artesian well system. His wife, Harriott Horry Rutledge Ravenel, wrote many books on Charleston history.
Most recently, owners Scott Bessent and John Freeman oversaw a multi-year renovation to restore Greek Revival details and mantels, reconstruct brick fireplaces, and reopen the ground floor loggia.
The project also involved removing historically inappropriate repairs and modern additions and some flood mitigation.
“The transformation of the John Ravenel House at 5 East Battery epitomizes the best of preservation, from craftsmanship to collaboration,” the Charleston Preservation Society said when it gave the work an award in 2021.
“The property owners, Scott Bessent and John Freeman, assembled an all-star team to undertake this multi-year project that included architect Glenn Keyes, preservation contractor Moby Marks, and New York-based landscape architect Perry Guillot.”
Property records show the last sale was in 2016 for $6.5 million.
Property taxes in 2023 were $44,666 a year.
The foyer of the three-story home has a patterned floor designed by local artist Karl Beckwith Smith, who also hand painted wallpaper in the second floor powder room and gilded valence holders in the parlor, the property listing says.
The first floor includes an office, cinema room, and a kitchen with high-end appliances and a soapstone center island. There is a sunroom, the original porch, “was enclosed with glass created by an artisan from Northern Italy to capture the same effect as Villa d’Este on Lake Como,” the listing says.
There is also a pantry and laundry space on the first floor.
The second floor includes a library with custom bookcases by Richard Marks Studio, a living room with views of the harbor, and a formal dining room and serving kitchen with warming trays, built-in China cabinets and a bar.
There is a mother-in-law wing at the rear of the house with a bedroom, en suite bath, kitchenette, and an additional room.
The primary suite on the third floor has a piazza overlooking the harbor, multiple closets and an updated en suite bath with custom dual marble vanities, a fireplace, shower, and a cast iron tub.
The floor also has two other bedroom suites and a family room.
There is an elevator, a state of the art sound system, four full bars, wine storage, a two car garage and a stand-up air conditioned attic space.
“The property’s formal gardens were reconstructed during the renovation and are complete with a pristine pool area, enclosed by privacy hedges,” the listing says.
There is a detached guest house with a living room, kitchenette, and three bedroom suites.
“The private walled grounds are equally spectacular, featuring formal gardens designed by Perry Guillot who revamped the Rose Garden at the White House, a private pool and spa, and lush landscaping that creates an oasis of beauty and privacy,” the listing says.
The property is listed by Robertson Allen at the Cassina Group.
