Living in the Old Village, Mount Pleasant: Homes, History

Old Village, Mount Pleasant

The Old Village is the original Mount Pleasant, on Charleston Harbor next to Shem Creek. Its core is the Mount Pleasant Historic District, listed on the National Register in 1973. Homes range from the 1759 Jacob Motte house to 1950s cottages and newer builds, and exterior changes need approval from the town's Historic District Preservation Commission. Over Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 76 homes sold here at a median of $2,355,000.

By Barry Cunningham, REALTOR®. Updated October 22, 2026.

What's selling in Old Village

From Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 76 homes sold in Old Village at a median of $2,355,000, 163% above the median for Mount Pleasant. Most sold between $1.27M and $4.0M. The homes that sold were 97% single-family detached, with a median year built of 1994.

Location: Charleston Harbor and Shem Creek (District runs roughly from Royall Ave. and Whilden St. to the harbor)
Historic: National Register, 1973 (Mount Pleasant Historic District, 61.6 acres)
Oldest home: Jacob Motte house, 1759 (Oldest building still standing in Mount Pleasant)
Government: Town of Mount Pleasant (Design review by the Historic District Preservation Commission)

Where it is and getting around

The Old Village was once all of Mount Pleasant. The town formed in 1837 and was laid out by James Hibben. The National Register district is bounded by Charleston Harbor, Shem Creek, Royall Avenue and McCants Drive. Ben Sawyer Boulevard is often lumped in, but it isn't part of it.

You can walk to a lot. Shem Creek's restaurants and boardwalks are on one side, Alhambra Hall and its harbor-front lawn are at Middle and McCormick streets, and Pickett Park sits at the end of Pitt Street on the old causeway toward Sullivan's Island. Shem Creek to Pickett Park and back is about 4 miles.

The homes

You'll find three kinds of homes here: historic houses, waterfront homes and some newer construction. Styles in the district include vernacular Georgian, Greek Revival and Gothic Revival, reflecting the village's history as a summer resort town.

The Jacob Motte house, built in 1759, is the oldest building still standing in Mount Pleasant. There are also 1800s homes like the 1850 Charles Jugnot House, a waterfront home from around 1870 on Live Oak Drive, and 1950s and 1960s cottages. Street names like King, Queen and Pitt were chosen to reflect royalty.

Historic district review

This is the big one. Under the town's zoning code, the Historic District Preservation Commission reviews moving, demolition, new construction, exterior alterations, additions, driveways, patios, walls, fences and docks in the Old Village Historic District. The five-member commission replaced the Old Village Historic District Commission in 2019.

The guidelines cover size, orientation, proportion and roof heights, and new buildings are expected to fit with adjacent properties. Owners of historic buildings are expected to keep original details like doors, windows, weatherboards and masonry. If you're planning a renovation or teardown, talk to the town before you go under contract. Neighboring Old Mount Pleasant is more lenient.

Parks and the waterfront

Shem Creek Park has marsh boardwalks, restrooms and parking, with its entrance at Shrimp Boat Lane off Coleman Boulevard. Shem Creek and Pickett Park are both popular fishing spots. There are public tennis courts at Ferry Street and Royall Avenue, and more than two dozen historic markers around the village.

Parking near Shem Creek gets tight on busy weekends, so expect visitors on nice days.

Schools

Homes here are in the Charleston County School District. Assignments go by address, so check the specific home on the district's school lookup map before you make an offer.

What people like

Walkable to Shem Creek, Alhambra Hall, Pickett Park and the harbor.
Historic district review protects the look of the streets.
Close to the Ravenel Bridge and downtown Charleston.

What to weigh first

Renovations, additions and new builds need commission approval, which adds time.
Weekend crowds and tight parking near Shem Creek.
Waterfront and low-lying lots near the harbor and marsh carry flood risk.

Common questions about Old Village

How much do homes cost in Old Village?

The median sale was $2,355,000 across 76 closed sales from Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026 (CHS Regional MLS), with most selling between $1.27M and $4.0M. That's 163% above the median for Mount Pleasant ($895,000). The median price per square foot was $808.

Do I need approval to renovate in the Old Village?

For most exterior work, yes. The town's Historic District Preservation Commission reviews demolition, new construction, exterior alterations, additions, fences, driveways and docks in the Old Village Historic District. Interior-only work isn't on that list.

Are short-term rentals allowed in the Old Village?

The Town of Mount Pleasant permits STRs only under a capped town-wide permit and won't permit one in a triplex or larger building. Rules can change, so check my short-term rental rules guide and confirm the specific property with the town before you count on rental income.

Is the Old Village in a flood zone?

Parts of it are. Homes on the harbor, Shem Creek and the marsh sit lower than homes on interior streets. Run the address through my flood zone tool and ask for an elevation certificate.

How far is the Old Village from downtown Charleston?

It's on the Mount Pleasant side of the harbor, right off Coleman Boulevard, and among the closest parts of town to the Ravenel Bridge into downtown.

More about the area: Mount Pleasant guide · all neighborhoods

Sources

Sales figures: closed residential sales recorded under the Old Mt Pleasant, Old Village, Old Village Landing subdivision names in the CHS Regional MLS, Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026. Medians, not appraisals. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Other details checked against the sources above on October 22, 2026; HOA rules and fees change, so get current documents before you buy.