Begin your visit in front of Market Hall at the intersection of Meeting and Market streets. Built in 1841, this Greek Revival-style Market Hall is easily identified by its vivid use of brownstone stucco, red sandstone, and green ironwork. A United States National Register Landmark of the “highest architectural design quality,” the building features one enclosed story atop a rusticated ground-level arcade, through which visitors access the Charleston City Market’s Great Hall.
The Great Hall’s gleaming glass doors opened in June 2011 upon completion of a significant multi-year renovation that transformed the building into an 18,300 square foot corridor of micro boutiques. With a skylight running the length of the building, natural light fills the enclosed Great Hall. Anchoring the Great Hall at its western end is flagship tenant, Historic Charleston Foundation, which offers hundreds of high quality products such as reproduction furniture and a veritable library of books on Charleston.
In recognition of its extensive and well-executed renovation, the Charleston City Market received a 2012 Phoenix Award from the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), a national consortium of professional writers, editors, photographers, and filmmakers who specialize in travel industry journalism.
Past Phoenix Award winners include the Vandenberg Reef in Key West, FL; Quartier des Spectacles in Montreal, Quebec; Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in San Francisco, CA; The Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA; The Preservation Society of Newport County, RI; Bermuda National Trust; The High Line in New York, NY; and The International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, WI.
The Historic Charleston City Market has also received the Carolopolis Award from the Preservation Society of Charleston and the Whitelaw Award from the Historic Charleston Foundation.
This style of basket was originally made to winnow rice on local plantations. Today, sweetgrass baskets are works of art and highly sought after souvenirs.
Read MoreWhen you see the Certified Authentic Handmade in Charleston seal, it means a product is 100% locally made.
Read MoreMeet locals. Shop for great souvenirs. Take a tour. Enjoy local cuisine. Check into a hotel overlooking the Historic Charleston City Market.
Read MoreGet to know the passionate entrepreneurs, traditions, and certified authentic Made in Charleston items found at the Historic Charleston City Market.
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