“Wow a twelve-story building in 1950 That’s impressive” you might be thinking. Right here before you stands the Joseph Floyd Manor. This wasn’t always a home for the elderly and disabled. It began life in 1950 as the Darlington Apartments a rather swanky place for its time.
Imagine single men and women retirees moving into these brand new apartments. Rent ranged from a reasonable $75 a month for a one-bedroom efficiency to a luxurious $175 for a three-bedroom penthouse. The building was designed by William G Lyles Bissett Carlisle & Wolff of Columbia South Carolina. The architects envisioned a ground floor buzzing with commercial activity. The second floor was to house professional offices. This was a modern marvel costing $1626000.
But its story doesn’t end there. Before the Darlington Apartments there was a World War II-era nightclub The Windmill which later became a grocery store. The land itself was purchased in 1933 by Mr Leonard D Long. He bought it when it was just a tent community. Only two houses were nearby. This transformation from tent city to modern apartment block reflects Charleston’s remarkable growth.
In 1979 the Charleston County Housing and Redevelopment Authority stepped in. They wanted to convert the Darlington Apartments into housing for the elderly. They secured $2.5 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. However the lowest bid for renovations came in at $3.6 million.
The renovation eventually took place. The building was renamed Joseph Floyd Manor after Joseph H Floyd chairman of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. It reopened in March 1981. The first floor became a mix of uses. The second floor was designated for handicapped residents. The upper floors were reserved for the elderly.
Sadly recent years have seen challenges. In 2020 concerns about the building’s condition were raised. South Carolina state representative Wendell Gilliard described the conditions as “most definitely subhuman and deplorable”. This led to discussions about repair costs and a shakeup within the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. George Dawson a member of the authority was even removed from his post. The Joseph Floyd Manor continues to serve Charleston’s most vulnerable. Its history reflects both progress and persistent challenges. The manor’s story reminds us of the ongoing need for affordable and dignified housing for all.