Summary:
The Jacob Rabb House (circa 1851) is located in the exclusive Ansonborough neighborhood in the heart of the Historic District. Its location presents a walkable opportunity to experience Charleston, while also providing 3 off-street parking spaces. The elegant three-story home and walled garden is beautifully maintained. It offers an unbeatable combination of quiet luxury, privacy, and safety during your stay in the City of Charleston ... perfect for family vacations.
The Space:
The Jacob Rabb House is an historic masonry antebellum home that was built in 1851 by Jacob Rabb. He purchased the lot from the neighboring Methodist Episcopal Church and constructed the present building, a typical "Charleston single" house with a pilastered brick, gable end, and slate roof. Our home was the only survivor of its kind in the Fire of 1861 in Ansonborough, which is evident by the smaller more modest wooden dwellings constructed after the Civil War, such as the Freedman's Cottages at 14 and 17 Pinckney Street, and the small wooden single houses at 18 and 19 Pinckney Street. Jacob Rabb House has received several awards for historic preservation, including the prestigious Carolopolis Award from the Preservation Society of Charleston. It is protected by a Conservation Easement donated to Historic Charleston Foundation.
The charming Ansonborough neighborhood itself was conceived in 1696 as the first "suburb" of the original walled City of Charles Town. It came to be known as Ansonborough for the colonial naval officer George Anson, the future First Lord of the Admiralty. It was said that he won the rights to the property in a card game with a wealthy local merchant. What great luck! A stroll through the neighborhood will give you examples of amazing historic architecture, grand columns, lovely courtyards and gardens with original wrought iron gates, piazzas nestled among massive live oaks, and one of the few original cobblestone streets remaining in the City.
The property is located on Pinckney Street at Church Street, just one block off the famous Market Street. Our perfect location enables you to enjoy every aspect of Charleston's Historic District. Step right out your front piazza door and this grand City is yours. Walk through the Old City Market on your way to the famous Battery on East Bay Street, or take up a few art galleries and antique shops along King Street before a picnic. Stop by any number of tiny wine and cheese shops and pack a picnic before you head to Waterfront Park, or take a private horse-drawn carriage ride. Museums, the Aquarium, festivals, the Dock Street Theater, the famed Home and Garden Tours, and an evening ghost tour are all within walking distance of our home.
The property has undergone a series of major interior renovations since 2018. The garden and courtyard were renovated in 2019 and 2020. In 2023 an additional bathroom was added creating a 4th bedroom with en suite.
The property: upon entering via a 3-car gated drive into the private walled garden, you begin to experience the relaxation. The garden piazzas are perfect for viewing the horses and carriages just across the street. Let's go inside...
The first level of the home consists of a light-filled drawing room (also called the Morning Room in older Charleston days), a rustic exposed brick dining room that resembles a wine cellar, and a renovated kitchen with a luxury La Cornue gas and electric range, Carrara marble countertops, and custom cabinetry. The powder room is located off the kitchen.
On the second floor you will find the master bedroom (King Bed) and bath, consisting of a large shower, double vanities, and private water closet. There is a second bedroom with ensuite bathroom on this floor. With the second floor piazza entrance located just outside your bedroom door, you will be tempted to stay home and watch life go by.
The third level you contains two well-appointed guest bedrooms, both with Queen-sized beds, and a newly renovated hotel style full bath. We are confident you and your family will find our home to be exactly what you are looking for in a Charleston home.
**please note the top floor bathroom can take 10-15minutes to receive hot water to the shower and sink**
Guest Access:
Door access codes will be provided prior to check-in, along with pertinent property information, Wifi access and recommendations for dining, if needed.
The Neighborhood:
Located in the Historic Ansonborough neighborhood, the house is just 1 block from the Charleston Market, walking distance to all of the shopping, dining and historic tours of Charleston.
Other Things to Note:
The hot water heater is located at the bottom of the house. For guest's knowledge, the top floor bathroom take roughly 10 or so minutes to get hot water.
