Mortgage Broker in Park Circle, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of North Charleston is holding a drop-in informational meeting Monday regarding community development within Park Circle, as progress on the area’s redevelopment continues.

The meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Park Circle Gallery. TJ Rostin, recreation director for the City of North Charleston, says they want to inform the public at the meeting about some aspects of the project that they feel are “necessary.”

According to the city, the redevelopment will include a new community building with a theater and meeting rooms, a performance and event space, a nature garden, open green space, walking trails, an inclusive baseball field, and the largest inclusive playground in the Southeast, at 55,000 square feet.

Rostin says there will also be a farmer’s market pavilion that will be constructed outside. Rostin says the facility isn’t just for recreation, but it will have a large cultural arts impact as well.

“We’re trying to be able to provide more things for more people, and we feel right now that probably the therapeutic aspect of our facility needs a little uplifting, needs a little more programming that could be provided to them,” Rostin said.

With inclusivity at the forefront of the project, Rostin says they want to be able to serve people from age 0 to age 100.

“We think with this facility we’re gonna be able to do that in different ways,” Rostin said. “We know there’s folks out there who don’t have the ability to be a on a playground that’s not inclusive that may be 40, 50, 60 years old.”

Clint Davis of Charleston says he comes to Park Circle often because it has less “hustle and bustle” and less tourists. He says, for him, the more parks, the better.

“We’ve never really been to like the Park Circle, Davis said. “We’ve been like around the perimeter, like to all the restaurants over there so that will give us more incentive to come to the parks around here.”

TJ Rostin says they are currently still in the design-build phase. Rostin says we can expect the demolition of the current facility in the next week or two. He says he hopes to have construction starting in the next few months.

Rostin says the project is estimated to be completed by Fall of 2023.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

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This thriving North Charleston neighborhood is worth the journey from historic downtown

It's no secret that the walkable streets of downtown Charleston are lined with historic homes as well as well-established restaurants and bars. There seems to be a charming hotel and inviting seafood restaurant on every block. But just a 20-minute ride from downtown boutique hotels like The Ryder and Emeline, there's a relatively under-the-radar neighborhood in North Charleston with a walkable main street, stunning street art and, most importantly, a thriving food scene.

We've picked 10 of our favorite food spots in Park Circle, North Charleston.

Azul Mexicano

Shrimp and tilapia ceviche from Azul Mexicano — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni

This laid-back, high-ceiling Mexican restaurant caters to seafood lovers without alienating carnivores or vegans. As the name Azul indicates, the chairs, tables, ceiling and dozens of small agave decorations along the wall are blue. Most of the fare is on the heartier side, with smaller portions available for lunch.

For something lighter, try the ceviche. While it's not on the lunch menu, the staff can prepare it upon request. Both the shrimp and tilapia versions come with all fresh ingredients finely chopped to the point where it's more practical to eat with a spoon. They serve this citrusy dish with four packs of Saladitas crackers. You can ask for a mix of shrimp and tilapia, which we highly recommend.

Basil Thai Park Circle

Yum nea (beef salad) and basil rolls from Basil Thai — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni

One of Basil Thai's six Carolinas locations is located in the heart of Park Circle's unofficial restaurant row. Those Korean barbeque tables that line the outer red brick walls remind guests that this stylish spot near the intersection of Chateau and Montague was once the local spot for grilled beef and kimchi. The cool lounge music combined with artfully framed photos of floating markets and elephant statues from the motherland give the Park Circle location a refined feel.

While the menu manages to play the hits like most Thai restaurants do, crispy red curry duck is the signature dish. If you've never tried barramundi, you can find it here, deep-fried with your choice of basil or curry sauce. They also have a full bar.

For dessert, try the fried banana topped with coconut ice cream. Basil Thai's twist on this traditional Thai dessert is the house-made raspberry jam, which mixes well with the coconut ice cream. And it's the same jam they use in their raspberry bourbon jam cocktail.

Basil Thai Park Circle is closed on Sunday.

EVO Pizzeria

The margherita from EVO Pizzeria — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni

EVO stands for Extra Virgin Oven. And from this extra virgin oven, Executive Chef Zach Turner and his team turn out six different pies plus a calzone and daily featured pizza.

While enjoying your wood-fired pie on one of the EVO's wooden tabletops, you'll notice that the dough is chewy to the point where there's no excuse for not eating the crust. And while the margherita may be the standard by which any establishment referring to itself as a pizzeria is measured, the meat-centric pies definitely have a southern twist. For purists, the margherita may be number one, but EVO's pistachio pesto is a very close second.

After dining at the pizzeria, check out EVO Craft Bakery, which is their sister location on the rear of the property. Here, you can enjoy espresso and dessert on their elevated back deck seven days a week.

Fratello's Italian Tavern

There are waist-high basil plants on each side of the entrance to Fratello's Italian Tavern. The menu is traditional Italian, with pasta dishes like penne alla vodka and lasagna being the most popular. The ravioli special changes every other day.

As Charleston is a coastal city, we recommend ordering a pasta dish with seafood. If you like garlic and clams, try the linguine alle vongole. And working backwards, start your meal at Fratello's with either the popular namesake salad or pomodoro e mozzarella. The latter is a simple, yet delicious mix of house-pulled mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and fresh basil taken straight from the plants at the main entrance.

Fratello's is closed on Sundays.

Jackrabbit Filly

Karaage & seared scallops from Jackrabbit Filly — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Jackrabbit Filly is the most modern restaurant in Park Circle. The fact that this Asian fusion spot is located next to an antique store a block from Montague Avenue makes it feel all the more exclusive. Once you pass the ceramic jackrabbit and step inside, you could easily feel like you're in either Manhattan's West Village or West Hollywood.

The majority of dishes have an East Asian influence. Both karaage versions are popular, with the Sichuan version being much spicier thanks to the chili oil. Regardless of which version you order, you won't have to worry about taking your first bite only to discover that you just ordered a bowl of the all-too-common mix of excessive breading and fatty dark meat that too many Japanese and Taiwanese restaurants serve. Everything here is top quality.

And the menu changes often. If it's on the menu, you must try the seared scallops dish. Same with the Xi'an shrimp.

Sunday is dim sum brunch only. They are closed Monday and Tuesday. Reservations are highly recommended.

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LoLA

Etouffee with shrimp and crawfish from LoLA — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Thanks to LoLA, you can enjoy Louisiana recipes in the Lowcountry. The extensive menu is divided into six sections, with appetizers and sides being plentiful enough for a separate location. Bayou classics like etouffee, jambalaya and shrimp creole will take you on a culinary journey to the Louisiana swamps, yet LoLA looks and feels like a beach bar that happens to serve unapologetically heavy Cajun and Creole food.

The festive atmosphere is pure New Orleans, but after a Creolepolitan or two, one could be excused for thinking that the Myrtle Beach Promenade is just around the corner.

LoLA is closed Sunday and Monday.

Park Circle Creamery

Today's flavors at Park Circle Creamery — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni

All of Park Circle Creamery's 17-plus flavors are made in-house. The ice cream here is good enough that it's worth skipping dessert at one of the local restaurants just so you can try a scoop or two. Inside, you'll find a classic stand-alone ice cream parlor feel.

If you're looking to beat the heat, grab a bar-style stool opposite the ice cream counter. Flavors range from the popular lemon crunch to the nostalgic cereal-inspired Lucky Charms. While you can find the different flavors listed on their website, they do run out of some, especially by evening. Coconut Oreo is the vegan option.

Southern Roots Smokehouse

Smoked brisket and turkey from Southern Roots Smokehouse — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Southern Roots Smokehouse may look like a sports bar from the outside, but it's also the best barbeque spot in Park Circle. Nothing is on a small scale here. The portions are enormous, and two rooms combined make Southern Roots Smokehouse one of the larger dining spots in the area.

Even the salads are a full meal. The bar is impressive, but the signature hickory smoked meats are the main culinary attraction. You can make your own plate with one to three meat options plus sides, or you can order the smoked meats a la carte and add them to a salad. Regardless of which meat you choose, you won't need a knife. The Southern Roots smoked meats are tender enough to cut with a weak plastic fork.

The Tattooed Moose

Moroccan gyro, Southern fried chicken sandwich and the famous duck fat fries from The Tattooed Moose — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni

The Tattooed Moose is that kind of place where you can spend a lazy afternoon eating, drinking and reliving your childhood at the pinball machine. Even if you happen to just be passing by along Chateau Avenue, it’s impossible not to notice the Patch Whisky street art that adorns the one-story former rehearsal space.

In the dining room, a wall-mounted moose heads jut out above the tables, each of which comes with a small bucket of crayons and markers. The space is super casual to the point where patrons are welcome to write whatever they want on the tables or walls. But despite the crayons, markers and mini arcade near the main entrance, this is no Chuck E. Cheese.

The menu leans towards hearty pub fare, which fits perfectly with the dozen or so beers on draft. The duck club sandwich is their top seller. You'll also see duck fat fries on every other table. When Guy Fieri came to Charleston to film "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," he had the blue cheese fries. Although he visited the downtown location, the menus are the same at both locations. The fries are cut super thin and garnished with salt to the point where the garlic aioli that comes on the side can be optional.

Three Sirens

Butter shrimp and corn from Three Sirens — Photo courtesy of Brian Cicioni

Park Circle's newest seafood restaurant opened in early 2022. Inside, Three Sirens is as blue as the sea itself. Everything from wallpaper to the electrical outlets is a shade of blue. As all ingredients are sourced locally, the menu changes daily.

The one thing you need to order is the butter shrimp and corn. The shrimp (from nearby Crosby's) are cured with sugar and salt and served over a bed of charred corn in a cream reduction that includes milk from the cobs. The dish's moderate spice level comes from the pickled fresnos.

Attention funky young professionals: the hot new place to live in the Lowcountry – or maybe it’s not so new – is North Charleston’s Park Circle. It’s like living in downtown Charleston, with walkable access to restaurants, bars, parks and beautiful old houses, but without the added comma in the home price.

Here’s a bonus: it’s much more central to most of the Lowcountry, so that getting to many of the big employers and many of the area’s important locations and attractions beyond the Charleston peninsula, is so much easier. That includes the airport, Charlestowne Landing, Cypress Gardens, Middleton Plantation, Summerville’s Flowertown Festival and Lake Moultrie.

While North Charleston may have a bad rap, Park Circle is a lovely oasis, separate and distinct from the industrial areas. And while its provenance can’t match historic Charleston’s, it does boast a fascinating century-old history that reverberates even today.

In fact, the public TV show, This Old House, named Park Circle one of the South’s Best Old Neighborhoods a decade ago. Take that, Avondale and Mt. Pleasant’s Old Village!

Founded in 1912 by the North Charleston Lands Corp. and one of the South’s first landscape architecture firms, P.J. Berkmans Co. of Augusta, GA, Park Circle was a planned, self-contained community based on the Garden City movement that highly valued the community-building value of parks. The original street grid encompassed the circular park that remains its keystone today, surrounded by homes. This area comprised the bulk of North Charleston when the city first incorporated in 1972 and was originally envisioned as a working-class neighborhood for employees of the Naval Base and nearby industry.

While the Naval Base closed in 1995, the four-block stretch of East Montague between Spruill and Virginia avenues experienced a Renaissance, sprouting cool restaurants, hipster coffee shops, brew pubs and retail businesses. With investment from the City of North Charleston, which tore down dilapidated buildings, repaired sidewalks, installed turn-of-the-century street lighting and added plantings, East Montague now serves as North Charleston’s historic district.

With the Naval Base gone, a new kind of resident began moving in – the young, upwardly mobile professionals with enough money to upgrade and gentrify. They eschew the suburbs of Mt. Pleasant and the family-centered neighborhoods of West Ashley, and might not have sufficient savings to buy homes there anyway. They dig the nightlife at area bars, the trendy restaurants, the plethora of parks and the neighborhood feel. Unlike real urban core life though, owning in Park Circle means your possessions include an automobile. Part of the allure is the proximity to I-26, 526 and major streets like Spruill Ave., which becomes Meeting Street after it meanders down The Neck area into Charleston.

An automobile is also the solution to the biggest problem with life in Park Circle: the food desert. “Lack of a grocery store is an issue,” said Darragh Doran, a real estate agent with The Boulevard Company. “It’s one of first things I tell people. You’re probably going to end up grocery shopping on your commute because there are no big supermarkets there.” The closest supermarkets are a Bi-Lo and a Food Lion, generally not the preferred shopping experiences of Yuppies and DINKs forking over half-a-million dollars for a house.

The housing market in Park Circle has reflected the rest of the scorching Charleston metro the last two years, but even hotter. Demand outstripped supply during Covid and in its immediate aftermath, prices skyrocketed, with the average momentarily peaking above $500,000 in Park Circle. As mortgage rates have leaped over the last year, demand has shrunk and the overall market is closer to balance between supply and demand. Prices have eased, with the median price in February down to $455,000 in Park Circle, though still 12.6% higher than the previous February.

Like the rest of the local real estate market, sellers are no longer juggling multiple offers above asking price. Redfin calculates that the average sale in Park Circle was worth a couple of percentage points below asking price in February.

Compared to the overall Charleston metro, Park Circle prices have grown twice as fast – to well-above market median. But compared to other desirable areas, Park Circle remains a bargain. Median home prices are $875,000 in Mt. Pleasant, $600,000 on James Island and $1.9 million on the Charleston peninsula. Yet Park Circle is slowly catching up. In March, there were just six active listings and the average list price was $640,000. The average time properties for sale remained on the market was under two weeks. That has pushed rents up too: the average rent in Park Circle runs about $2,500, according to NeighborhoodScout.com.

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In other words, Park Circle is unaffordable for most Lowcountry residents, but less so than other coveted locations. According to a Zillow calculator, a median-priced Park Circle home requires an annual household income of $125,000 to afford, almost double the median household income in the region of $66,000, according to the Charleston Regional Development Alliance. That affordability income is based on a 5% downpayment and maximum home expenditure of 30% of income.

Indeed, real estate agents are seeing a lot of activity from investors who are buying Park Circle homes, not for themselves, but as rental properties and equity builders. Charles McIntosh, an agent at The Cassina Group, recently sold a rented duplex with two-bedroom, one-bath units for rents of $1250 each at 4630 Oakwood St. Both the buyer and seller were investors, and interest was high, with 12-14 showings on the first day and five offers for the property, McIntosh said. It sold for $525,000.

He said the renovation of the park at Park Circle and the expansion of Riverfront Park are big draws for that neighborhood. The park around which Park Circle revolves is being upgraded by the city to include an inclusive playground, inclusive baseball field, nature garden, walking trails, a farmers’ market and more. “The only other place you can walk to that many parks and restaurants and bars is downtown Charleston,” he said.

The attractions of Park Circle have not been a state secret. The hip vibe has smoldered in the vicinity for two decades, but it has burst into flames more recently. Darragh Doran says he had to pitch Park Circle to buyers until three or four years ago because it wasn’t on their radar at first. When he showed them the neighborhoods, they discovered what had been, to them, a hidden gem. But today, clients are coming to him asking about it. “If a professional couple looking to live somewhere near downtown Charleston came to me 10 years ago, they would have gone to Wagner Terrace or Hampton Park. Now they’re too expensive. Park Circle has gone from being charmingly shabby to having its own identity,” said Darragh Doran.

Jesse Vickers owns the interior design firm JLV Creative and was familiar with Park Circle when she approached Doran about buying a house there. “It was one of the few areas in Charleston with a lower barrier to entry from a financial standpoint for investment,” she said. She purchased a home on a marsh and prefers it to her former downtown digs.

“I love the sense of community and that there is more diversity than in some of the more homogeneous areas,” she said. “I feel very grateful for all of the access to green spaces, a community recreation center and a nearby downtown area of thriving businesses and restaurants.”

Vickers is typical of Park Circle residents, says Nia Swinton-Jenkins, an agent for Carolina One Real Estate. Young people who want that downtown feel see the area as an emerging hotspot. They love the walkability of the immediate area and the proximity of everything beyond with the interstate three minutes away by automobile. Many of her clients are relocating to the area and get jazzed when she introduces them to Park Circle. “They will start by describing an area like Park Circle and say they want to live in a place like this,” she said. Then she shows them the area and they are hooked.

Park Circle is not for everyone, of course. For many area residents, life inside 526 is more convenient. They work downtown or want the less urban environment of Mt. Pleasant, West Ashley or James Island. Or they prefer to be farther away from the hustle and bustle – on the island towns and beach communities, or father north where they can buy big houses with big yards for Park Circle prices. They want their kids going to nicer schools than North Charleston can offer.

But for those seeking that downtown feel, real estate agents say, Park Circle is a great option. Buy in … while you still can.

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ECI Group (ECI) announces the acquisition of The Factory at Garco Park, a 271-unit, built in 2017, institutional-grade multifamily community in the highly-desirable Park Circle neighborhood in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Factory at Garco Park is ECI's first investment in the Charleston metropolitan area and, with assets in Greenville and Savannah, their fourth in the Carolinas/SE Georgia region. Financing for the acquisition was provided by SouthState Bank.

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"The Factory at Garco Park offers ECI an opportunity to recycle capital from our recent sale of The Columns at Vinings in Atlanta into a very high quality, exceptionally well-located asset in a top expansion market for us," said ECI Chief Acquisitions Officer, Scott Levitt. "With our ability to self-manage and oversee additional enhancements to the balance of the unit interiors and the property's exterior and amenity package, we look forward to this property providing us with a cornerstone asset in the Charleston market." The 1031 Exchange involving the recently announced sale of The Columns at Vinings and the acquisition of The Factory at Garco Park is the 5^th such exchange for ECI in the last 18 months.

The Factory at Garco Park, located at 4993 O'Hear Avenue in North Charleston, features upscale, spacious studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The community's walkable experience has made it popular with young professionals seeking a vibrant Peninsula lifestyle, with an abundance of restaurants, retail, and nightlife, in the East Montague corridor just steps from their front door.

Community features include:

Individual units include:

*In Select Units

ECI extends its appreciation to Alex Okulski of Newmark for his representation of the seller.

About ECI Group

For more than 50 years, ECI Group has been one of the most highly regarded, privately owned real estate organizations in the United States. The firm is fully integrated, with development, construction, investment, and property management groups that have garnered national recognition for innovation and performance in the multifamily industry. With a portfolio of more than 7,500 units located throughout the Southeast and Texas, ECI is strategically positioned to continue to be a leader in the multifamily industry. For more information, visit www.ecigroups.com.

Media Contact: Karen WidmayerKW Communications, LLCkarenwidmayerpr@gmail.com301.661.1448

SOURCE ECI Group

NORTH CHARLESTON — Construction site banners circle the recreational space at the heart of Park Circle, currently undergoing a $20 million renovation that’ll add a special-needs playground, ball field, community center and outdoor pavilion.

Up the street, the city is spending an additional $25 million to revamp the Danny Jones gym, pool and football field.

On the northern edge of the community on the old Charleston Naval Base, North Charleston is almost finished with a $15 million pedestrian bridge that’ll expand the existing Riverfront Park.

All of the projects are slated to be completed by late 2023. But people don’t have to wait to visit Park Circle, one of the region’s most popular local destinations. While these latest projects are almost sure to draw more people to the growing community, the plans also serve as an indicator of Park Circle’s existing reputation as a vibrant corridor of restaurants, retail stores, wineries, breweries and mom-and-pop shops.

Though it’s not the destination hub that is downtown Charleston, Park Circle has no shortage of places to eat and drink, and parks to visit. In the past few decades, the neighborhood has been transformed from a sleepy residential community into a vibrant commercial hub.

On the food side of things, there’s something to eat at all times of day. In addition to providing tacos, sandwiches and other lunch options, Junction Kitchen & Provisions offers breakfast until 2 p.m. during the week, and 3 p.m. on weekends. Orange Spot Coffee has become a community favorite, frequented by business professionals and elected officials, who meet over hot coffee, cold brew and pastries.

A break from the warm weather might be found at Park Circle Creamery, where homemade ice cream comes in a variety of flavors. Customers have a choice between cups or waffle cones.

Like elsewhere across the Lowcountry, seafood restaurants have found their place in the community. The CODfather Proper Fish & Chips is a popular British eatery that offers north Atlantic cod fillets dipped in the restaurant’s own special batter, paired with delicious chips (fries). Nearby is Lola, where Cajun and Creole-style seafood can be enjoyed inside or on the restaurant’s patio.

If seafood isn’t your preference, places like FOOD, Sesame Burgers & Beer and DIG in the Park provide a variety of sandwiches, soups, burgers and lunchtime favorites. One of area’s newest additions is Tattooed Moose, the popular downtown Charleston bar that’s relocated to North Charleston to serve food and beer.

Italian cuisine is also available. Fratello’s Italian Tavern, Park Pizza and EVO Pizzeria provide cheese enthusiasts with a variety of entrees.

Despite the overall family-friendly focus of the Park Circle community, the nightlife scene is up-and-coming. A number of watering holes and breweries already call the area home, including Madra Rua Irish Pub, The Mill, Coast Brewing Co. and Holy City Brewing. If beer isn’t your thing, then you might instead find Accent on Wine attractive.

Eating and drinking is only part of what makes this side of town so much fun. The space features a handful of recreational amenities.

After all, the circle itself was modeled after London native Ebenezer Howard’s vision for “garden cities” where green space, commercial and residential could all coexist within a walkable community.

Quarterman Park’s central pond is an ideal outdoor space for both people and geese alike. Pedestrians can often be found fishing and feeding birds and walking the sidewalk for exercise.

Though located about 2 miles south and technically outside of Park Circle proper, Riverfront Park rests on the banks of the Cooper River and provides an expansive outdoor space for picnics, concerts and other major events. Guests might enjoy fishing from the park boardwalk or exploring the military monuments that tell of the history of old the Navy Base.

At the heart of the North Charleston neighborhood, a ring contained ball fields, a community center, butterfly garden and disc golf course. But this space is currently closed for redevelopment and will be reopened late 2023.

Plant lovers should stop by Roadside Booms, a unique flower shop that sells bouquets, plants and locally made gifts.

The Station at Park Circle is an antique store that offers vintage furniture, art, accents, lighting, music, plants, apparel and gifts. The independently owned Itinerant Literate Book Shop sells nonfiction, new fiction, children’s books and more, along with gift items.

One of the best parts of spring is spending more time outside, enjoying the pleasant temperatures before the heat of the summer fully sets in. Picnics are a fun pastime many enjoy when it starts to warm up.

This week’s winner is Ronald Allan Charles with a photo of a beautiful picnic spot at Montana’s Glacier National Park. The two honorable mentions are Merv Gibson with an image of picnicking on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg, and Roger Qualman with a photo of his grandchildren on a spring break picnic.

Next week’s topic is shadows, so show off your favorite silhouettes.

The rules: Send your best photo to yourphotos@postandcourier.com by noon Thursday. Include your name, town and where the photo was taken. Add your name and the topic to the file. If you want your photo to be eligible to run in the newspaper, it must be at least 1,500 pixels, not have a commercial watermark and not have been published in another publication.

On Fridays, we first announce the editors’ pick of the week at postandcourier.com/yourphotos and declare a topic for the next week. On Saturdays, we publish an online gallery.

On Sunday, the photo pick of the week will appear in this section, Life.

All photos submitted will be considered for publication in The Post and Courier’s yearly magazine, My Charleston. Some images may be selected for other editorial or noncommercial use.

We reserve the right to not publish any photo for any reason.