Rewind about a decade, before the peninsula’s big development boom. But to hear Yessian tell it, the plans for his trailblazing residence evolved naturally, with relatively few hiccups. The groundbreaking design makes for a rare contemporary addition to Charleston’s skyline-no small feat given the city’s preservation groups and stringent architectural review board. Yessian worked closely with architect Kevan Hoertdoerfer, who also oversaw the renovation of Blue Ion’s office space, and general contracting firm Renew Urban to conjure the glass, steel, and fiberglass structure smack dab in the middle of historic downtown. The result? A striking angular condo in the sky, built atop a circa-1858 structure at 301 King Street that houses an Apple Store on the ground floor and Blue Ion’s offices on the second level. transplant dreamt of an abode that better reflected his contemporary tastes-without sacrificing a downtown address. But when it came time to design his own residence, the D.C. He also holds a deep reverence for Charleston’s fine historic buildings. Since moving to the Holy City in 1998, the design-savvy entrepreneur-he’s co-founder and technology director of digital marketing agency Blue Ion-has savored its small community and slower pace of life. But it’s sleek, big-city skylines that make Rich Yessian’s heart go pitter-patter. The antebellum manses that dot the peninsula have long made preservation-minded architecture buffs swoon. The outdoor living room is outfitted with comfortable furnishings designed to withstand the elements a weather-resistant cabinet houses an outdoor TV. Inside, a gas fireplace with a Venetian-plaster façade can be lit to cozy things up during the cooler months. Podocarpus hedges add visual interest and provide some privacy to the rooftop living areas. Mickus and sourced on Etsy, the pendants are fashioned from repurposed carbon-steel woks. He painted an accent wall in Sherwin Williams’s “Outrageous Green ” the same bold hue graces the underside of the dome lights above the dining table.

Sliding barn doors hewn from reclaimed river cypress can be left open to blend inside and outside living spaces.Ī ramp leads to a green roof offering 360-degree views of the city and beyond.Ĭustom acrylic cabinets in cobalt blue reflect Yessian’s modern tastes. Yessian, pictured with girlfriend Arielle Stratton and cats Jean Michelle and Jean George, tackled the interior design himself, keeping the furnishings-such as this Ikea couch, West Elm lamp, and All Modern rug-minimal and letting the views take center stage. Inside, a royal palm further underscores the connection between outside and in. From this vantage point, its striking angular lines add a rare modern layer to the city’s architecture.Ĭolorful pots of hardy cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) line the steps to the rooftop living area. The residence can be seen best from Liberty Street, where this photo was taken. The addition-which boasts a green roof, outdoor living room, and fiberglass louvers that act as a bold design element and a privacy screen-is barely visible from King Street, leaving one of downtown’s most picturesque historic landscapes intact. Rich Yessian’s contemporary condo sits atop the antebellum building at 301 King that houses an Apple Store on the first floor.

Lowft over apple store charleston sc