GF leads design for The Mark Charleston student housing near the College of Charleston.
CHARLESTON, S.C., Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- GreenbergFarrow (GF), an international architecture and design firm, is proud to highlight its role as design architect for The Mark Charleston, a premier student housing development developed by Landmark Properties and Henderson Park to serve the College of Charleston. The project celebrated its groundbreaking on January 28 2026, marking the official start of construction along East Bay Street in downtown Charleston. The Mark Charleston responds to a growing demand for purpose-built student housing while thoughtfully integrating modern design within the city's historic context.
The Mark Charleston will deliver 335 beds across 99 units, offering a mix of studio through six-bedroom apartment layouts. Designed with a focus on livability, academic support, and community connection, the project brings a new standard of student housing to one of Charleston's most prominent waterfront corridors. "The opportunity with The Mark Charleston was to address a real housing need while being deeply respectful of Charleston's architectural character," said Kelly Hosack, Managing Director at GF. "Our design approach focused on creating a highly livable environment for students that also contributes positively to the surrounding neighborhood and downtown experience."
The project features more than 18,000 SF of indoor and outdoor amenity space, including rooftop decks and a rooftop pool with views of the Charleston Harbor and Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, fitness and wellness areas, collaborative study lounges, and indoor-outdoor gathering spaces. Ground-floor retail activates the street level and strengthens the pedestrian experience along East Bay Street.
A defining element of the development is the preservation and relocation of the historic Blanken/Matson House, which will be adaptively reused as The Library, a dedicated study space for residents. The project also includes the restoration and relocation of the historic building at 77 Washington Street, which will be restored to its original exterior and repurposed as a coffee shop. These strategies reflect GF's commitment to balancing historic preservation with contemporary design solutions. "Charleston's history was a key driver throughout the design process," Hosack added. "By incorporating the historic structure into the project, we were able to honor the site's past while giving it a meaningful new purpose for today's students."
GF collaborated closely with Landmark Properties, Henderson Park, and local stakeholders to shape the building's massing, façade design, and material palette to complement the Wraggborough neighborhood and Charleston's architectural character. The Mark Charleston is anticipated to open for the 2027–2028 academic year.
Media Contact
Danielle Barr, GF, 1 212-725-9530, [email protected], www.greenbergfarrow.com
SOURCE GF
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