The acclaimed New York practice Morris Adjmi Architects has transformed a grand but neglected property in Charleston’s quiet Cannonborough neighbourhood into a striking and soulful 50-room hotel. Tucked between clapboard properties on a calm, neighbourly stretch of King Street, the Nickel Hotel centres around the ornate ironwork of an interior courtyard, outfitted with upholstered furnishings and café tables.

In collaboration with Philadelphia-based developer Method Co, the architects orchestrated a layered townhouse lobby in hand-painted porcelain plaster, featuring a checkerboard honed-marble floor, hand-clipped European marble mosaic entry sign and antique French tapestry.

The palette brings together lush greens, then takes on terracotta tones in the courtyard, the hotel’s ‘living room’. The courtyard sits beneath three stories of ornate wrought iron balconies, with copper gas lanterns and a two-tiered fountain at its centre. Access to the courtyard is through the private second-floor guest lounge. On the third floor is a clubby bar with oak herringbone flooring and leather and oak shelving, plus a listening room with a selection of vinyl.

The central Bar Daniel, adorned with antique mirror walls and a honed-marble fireplace, is designed for all-day service, from espresso to late-night cocktails. On the third floor are a library and parlour with sisal grasscloth wallcoverings and oak herringbone flooring.

Later this month, the top floor will debut Rosemary Rose, a French Riviera-themed rooftop lounge with 360-degree views of the city. Its painted terracotta pavers, aged bronze Bevelo lanterns, fabric awnings and marble-topped bar with hand-painted tiles tie into the courtyard’s look. Banquettes and oversized lounge seating is inspired by mid-century modern styles and custom-designed. The terrace leads through French doors to an arched bar with a scalloped ceiling, vintage lighting and a brick-lined wood-burning fireplace. The property’s signature verdigris green is used for furniture accents, along with leather upholstery and zellige tile.

Guest rooms at The Nickel are furnished with custom designs by Method Co’s design arm, Method Studios, as well as Gubi coffee tables, House of Hackney wallpaper and Nordic Knot rugs. The studio and one-bed suites are equipped with a dining area, lounge, washer-dryer and full-size kitchen with built-in Bosch appliances and aged bronze hardware. Bathrooms have tonal green wall tile and hand-glazed porcelain floor tiles in an encaustic clover pattern. Some guest rooms feature double French doors that open to private balconies overlooking the courtyard.

‘The Nickel Hotel is located in the Cannonborough neighborhood, which is filled with great restaurants, cool coffee shops and independent stores,’ says Randall Cook, CEO of Method Co. ‘It’s exciting to be in the centre of this area with so many creatives and young people — both locals and visitors alike.’

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