From Ugly Duckling to Charleston Classic: The Story of 85 Spring Street
One of my favorite parts of being an architect is uncovering the story a building has been trying to tell all along.
When we first looked at 85 Spring Street, it wasn't exactly turning heads. But beneath the changes made over the years, there was one clue we couldn't ignore—it was missing what was almost certainly its original two-story front porch.
That discovery sent us digging.
Historic Sanborn maps confirmed our suspicion, and once construction began, we found even more evidence hiding in plain sight. Original siding, beadboard ceilings, and framed openings all pointed to the home's original design. It was like the house had been leaving us breadcrumbs the entire time.
Designing with History as the Guide
One of the biggest challenges was that no historic photographs of the house existed. Rather than guessing, we studied neighboring historic homes and used Charleston's architectural vocabulary as our guide.
The new porch was designed with simple Tuscan columns, wood flooring, and traditional details that feel authentic to the neighborhood. The goal wasn't to create something flashy—it was to restore what the house was always meant to be.
Yes, rebuilding the porch required additional investment and even reduced some interior square footage. But good historic preservation isn't always about maximizing space—it's about honoring the architecture and making thoughtful decisions that stand the test of time.
Restoration, Not Reinvention
As one of the architects in Charleston, I believe the best renovation projects respect a building's history while preparing it for the future. Sometimes the most impactful design decision isn't adding something new—it's bringing back something that was lost.
Today, Boho Rosa House feels complete again. Not because it was reinvented, but because its original character was thoughtfully restored.
That's one of the reasons I started Buildings Are Cool. Every historic home has a story, and sometimes the best architecture comes from listening to what the building is already telling us.
Let's Connect
If you enjoy architecture, historic preservation, Charleston architecture, residential design, and the stories behind great buildings, I'd love to connect.
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What do you think? Would you have restored the original porch, even if it meant sacrificing interior space? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
