Signature yellow doors
By: Claudie Benjamin, Guest Writer
Looking for the unexpected in the Cannonborough Elliotborough neighborhood? Consider enjoying a staycation at the Iris, located at 84 Line Street . Guests from all over are likely to be drawn to the idea of spending a few nights or longer in an innovative, urban vacation rental that subtly integrates design elements including wooden walkways, railings and use of diamond decorative panels from its neighborhood's history.
The Iris offers 27 short term rentals and 6 affordable housing units. A look at the two connected buildings provokes curiosity. The structure resonates with the low rise skyline and lively vibe in this neighborhood of late 19th and 20th Century homes. But, it is also clearly a 21st century design with a nod to mid Century style. Maybre Osborne, Company President, and Shannon Ross, Company Vice President, explain that there's a mid Century feel with a classic design that will forever be timeless.
( l-r) Maybre Osbourne and Shannon Ross
The complex, now just one year old, is managed by the long established CHC Vacation Rentals. In its recent past, the four-lot site was empty. The developer who worked with Charleston architect Whitney Powers drew inspiration from Jonathan Green's 2016 Spoleto work in which he decorated nine Charleston homes associated with historically important African Americans with diamond patterns.
A walk through a typical one bedroom apartment reveals bright walls, contemporary art, stylish decor, a cozy living room, and a zero entry shower. A comfy bed alcove is enclosed by heavy weighted velvet drapes that can section off the bedroom if desired. There are also hotel-grade noise eliminators. When you're situated in bed with the pillows pumped up, the snowy white coverlet pulled to your chin and the noise eliminator turned on, “it feels like you're in a cloud “ says Shannon. The kitchen and bathroom are sleek and bright.
Where do you park your car? There's a self operated 29 unit Parkmatic Car Carousel behind the buildings. Being one of the only car carousel systems in the state, some people are timid at first, however this novelty is user friendly and the Iris makes it easy to follow their directions in order to operate. At time of writing, it's the only hotel in Charleston with this convenient parking system.
Connecting bridge
Floors 2 and 3 have outdoor lounge areas on the building's bridge connectors. These are communal spaces ideal for laptop users, reading or using your cell to check emails over a glass of wine or cup of coffee.
Fun, comfortable and neighborhood enhancing is the image the Iris portrays. For the adventurous of any age, this cheerful, inviting yellow-doored vacation rental in downtown Charleston invites you to appreciate a special blend of newness with a nod toward the richness of the past. A year in, The Iris is very popular with international visitors who are eager to visit. Now, with post Covid travel on the rise, exploration of lodging in Charleston's neighborhoods offers a special enticement for the inveterate traveler.
