Joseph Floyd Manor facts for kids
The Joseph Floyd Manor is a tall building in Charleston, South Carolina. It is a special home for senior citizens, which means older people live there. The building is located at the corner of Mt. Pleasant Street and King Street. It has 12 floors! It was first called the Darlington Apartments. William G. Lyles, Bissett, Carlisle & Wolff designed it.
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A Look Back: The Building's Story
Building the Darlington Apartments
Construction on the building started in 1950. It cost about $1.6 million to build. That was a lot of money back then! The first floor was planned for shops and businesses. The second floor was for offices, like those for lawyers or doctors. There were 156 apartments in total. Rent for an apartment could be from $75 to $175 a month.
Before the building was constructed, the land had an interesting past. In 1933, Mr. Leonard D. Long bought the property. At that time, it was a place where people lived in tents. Right before construction began in 1950, the site had a nightclub from World War II called the Windmill. It was being used as a grocery store. The apartments were meant for single people and those who were retired.
Becoming Joseph Floyd Manor
In 1979, a group called the Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Authority wanted to change the building. They planned to make it into apartments for older people. They hoped to get $2.5 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help. However, the lowest price they got for the work was $3.6 million. At that time, Joseph H. Floyd was the leader of the Authority.
The renovation work eventually happened. The building was renamed the Joseph Floyd Manor. It reopened in March 1981. After the changes, the first floor had different uses. The second floor was made for residents with disabilities. The upper floors were for elderly residents. The building was named after Joseph H. Floyd, who was the chairman of the Authority's board.
Recent Concerns
In May 2020, some residents and local government officials raised concerns about the building's condition. After visiting the building, South Carolina state representative Wendell Gilliard wrote to Congressman Jim Clyburn. He described the conditions at Joseph Floyd Manor as very difficult for people to live in.
A meeting was planned for the Charleston County Council to discuss the costs of repairs. The Charleston County Council does not directly manage the housing project. However, Charleston County does choose the people who serve on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. On June 17, 2020, the Charleston County Council removed George Dawson from his position on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
