The Old City Jail stands at the exact center of Charleston SC’s Old and Historic District. Prior to restoration, no other property of this size remained so underutilized in so prime a location. The jail was in major disrepair, but it was essential that it be preserved as a Charleston Historic Landmark. Liollio’s assessment adopted the methods advocated by the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, to analyze the scope of restoration that must occur before the building could be put to future use. We analyzed the building’s historic brick, stone, stucco and ironwork, and determined that it was at a critical point. Without reinvestment immediately, the condition of the structure would continue to degrade and might become too expensive to revitalize with private funds alone. The Liollio team’s scope included extensive investigation; research and restoration of significantly deteriorated brick masonry; removal of structurally detrimental modifications (c.1900 concrete slabs at second and third floors); restoration of architectural metals; and complex building code considerations include avoiding modifications that might trigger invasive code-mandated seismic retrofits; and we received a FEMA variance due to historic status. The project’s restoration and rehabilitation created a premier mixed-use facility. The Old City Jail obtained Part Two approval from the National Park Service for this 18,000 SF / 3-story structure early in 2020. Utilizing federal and state historic tax credits, Liollio completed a full historic rehabilitation of the building to be used predominantly for office space, special events, and of course, ghost tours.

For inquiries related to this project, please contact jay@liollio.com.

2025 Preservation Society of Charleston Carolopolis Award
2024 AIA South Atlantic Region Merit Award
2024 AIA South Carolina Merit Award
2024 Historic Charleston Foundation Robert N.S. & Patti Foos Whitelaw Founders Award