Neighborhood Spotlight: Ansonborough

Once considered Charleston’s first suburb when developed in 1746, Ansonborough today is a residential neighborhood distinguished by historic architecture, revitalized homes, and some of Charleston’s top-rated restaurants and destinations.

While Ansonborough is decidedly urban, the neighborhood’s location creates an atmosphere that’s quieter than surrounding areas. The neighborhood lies north of the bustling, visitor-centered French Quarter. East Bay Street borders Ansonborough on the east, providing a route visitors and tourists take to the French Quarter and South of Broad neighborhoods.

William Rhett House, Charleston, S.C.is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0.

Real estate in Ansonborough includes meticulously renovated and restored mansions and houses, many dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the oldest buildings in Charleston is the Colonel William Rhett house, located in Ansonborough at 54 Hasell Street. As shown in the picture above, the home was built between 1712 and 1720.

Ansonborough is bordered on the north by George Street, on the west by Meeting Street, and on the south by Pinckney Street. The neighborhood is walkable and offers amenities aimed especially at residents, including a Harris Teeter grocery store and neighborhood cafes.

Ansonborough Neighborhood Highlights

Primarily residential, Ansonborough is surrounded by several Charleston landmarks as well as some of the city’s best restaurants.

Located to the north of the neighborhood is where you’ll find the South Carolina Aquarium, one of the best places in the state to learn about aquatic species native to South Carolina. One of its major initiatives is the Sea Turtle Care Center where specialists and volunteers care for sick and injured sea turtles. The aquarium’s exhibits and displays offer a destination that Charleston residents can recommend to family and friends, making repeat visits common. The aquarium is a family favorite especially popular with children.

Charleston’s main performing arts center makes it’s home nearby Ansonborough. The Charleston Gaillard Center provides a state-of-the-art performance space for the Charleston Symphony and the Spoleto Festival. A major reconstruction project completed in 2015 created a 1,800-seat performance hall and a 15,000-square-foot exhibition hall. The Gaillard is a venue for musicals, jazz festivals, and such performers as Kristin Chenowith, Jennifer Holliday, Harry Connick Jr., Mavis Staples, and Diana Krall.

Ansonborough residents live close to three parks: Waterfront Park, Gadsdenboro Park, and Marion Square. The latter is one of Charleston’s best-known green spaces. Residents also live in close proximity to where the ferries leave for Fort Sumter, providing another excursion residents can recommend to family and friends when they visit.

Ansonborough residents can take advantage of their proximity to the College of Charleston, located just to the west in Harleston Village. One of its leading attractions open to the public is the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. The School of the Arts at the College of Charleston welcomes audiences at its many plays, musical events, dance performances, and gallery exhibits.

While the French Quarter is packed with restaurants geared to visitors and tourists, Ansonborough is close to some of the restaurants best-loved by Charlestonians. Heading the list is Hank’s Seafood Restaurant, voted the city’s best seafood restaurant by the readers of the Charleston City Paper for 18 years in a row. Ansonborough is also home to the bistro-style restaurant FIG.

Learn more about Ansonborough in our neighborhood overview.

Browse homes for sale in Ansonborough.