Plans for mixed-use development at 1000 King St. moving forward
CHARLESTON, S.C (WCBD) – The City of Charleston will consider a plan to renovate and expand the 1000 King Street Apartments and add other-mixed use buildings on the nearly four-acre site.
On Thursday, the city’s Planning Commission approved a request to rezone the property for the King Palace Planned Unit Development.
“The thing about this site is that it’s just way underutilized. This thing is right in the middle of the city on King St. It’s on the Lowline, on the backside. It’s a great location just to make much better utilization of. You know, many more people could be living there,” said Tim Keane, the Planning, Permitting, and Engineering Section Chief for the City of Charleston.
1000 King St. was formerly home to County Hall where Elvis Presley, Martin Luther King Jr., and other prominent figures made appearances throughout the 20th century. It later transitioned to an apartment complex.
“So, what’ll happen is the existing building will be saved and renovated and then you’ll build on the other parts of the site” Keane told News 2.
According to city officials, 20% of the proposed 255 units will be designated for affordable and workforce housing.
The Planning Commission also voted in favor of rezoning a portion of the property to allow seven stories.
“Our general thoughts are its just a little big, we want to make sure that we are properly consulted and discussing that at the neighborhood level,” Stephen Rosenberg told News 2.
Rosenberg is the President of the North Central Neighborhood Association. He said the residents are in support of the project, but there is concern about the height of the buildings.
“We’ve got a lot of interesting and historic areas like the Enston Homes,” Rosenberg explained. “…And we just don’t want these giant buildings to overshadow really some of the amazing amenities and history that we have here.”
Keane said the taller buildings would be on the backside of the site.
“What happens with the site is that they go tall in the back, so adjacent to the big bridge, ramps, and things, they would be at seven stories. But then it would step down as you get to King St. so, when you get to King St., you’re only at three stories,” Keane shared.
The plan is to also connect the project to the future Lowcountry Lowline through pedestrian and bike paths.
The proposal will now go to Charleston City Council.
