The Tallest Buildings in Charleston, South Carolina
Here is a list of the tallest buildings in Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston generally does not have modern “skyscrapers,” many of its tallest structures are church steeples or mid‑rise buildings. There is a city ordinance and general rule of thumb when it comes to height of buildings in downtown Charleston. And that rule is that no building can exceed the height of the tallest church steeple in downtown Charleston.
It seems all the church’s kept trying to out do each other until eventually St. Matthews Lutheran Church on Marion Square took the honor of tallest building in 1876 at 255 feet.
Since then…no building has been built taller in Charleston, SC…even in the age of the skyscrapers of the 1900’s.
St. Matthews Lutheran Church - 255 Feet Tall - Built in 1872
In 1867–1868, the German Lutheran congregation purchased the current lot at 405 King Street. Architect John Henry Devereux (Irish‐born) designed the church in the Gothic Revival style, influenced in part by German Gothic forms.
When it was built, it became the tallest building in South Carolina and It remains the tallest church steeple in the state and tallest building in Charleston, South Carolina
2. Citadel Square Baptist Church - 224 Feet Tall - Built in 1856
Located at 328 Meeting Street this church was designed by architects Edward C. Jones and Francis D. Lee. The original steeple was 224 feet tall. In 1885 a hurricane blew the original steeple down and the great earthquake of 1886 further destroyed the tower and steeple.
A replacement steeple that was shorter was constructed in the 1900’s however Hurricane Hugo in 1989 destroyed that steeple. In 1990–1991 funds were raised to restore the steeple close to its original height and it now stands at 224 feet tall.
3. Dockside Condos - 204 Feet Tall - Built in 1978
Located at 330 Concord St next to the South Carolina Aquarium this building is currently vacant and structurally unstable. As of the summer of 2025 all residents were ordered to vacate immediately due to those concerns. The future of the building is unknown however I believe it will be eventually torn down as it is not considered a historic building in Charleston based on it’s age.
4. St. Philip’s Church - 200 Feet Tall - Built in 1838
Located at 142 Church St this iconic church building was constructed from 1835 to 1838. The building’s architect (without the steeple) was Joseph Hyde. The steeple was added later, between 1848 and 1850 and was designed by famous Charleston architect Edward Brickell White.
During the Civil War the steeple was used for “sighting” during the Union bombardment of Charleston and shells hit the roof and the chancel and organ were destroyed. In 2025 the church started a $18 million dollar preservation construction project of the church.
5. St. Michael’s Church - 186 Feet Tall - Built in 1761
Located at 71 Broad St this the oldest church building structurally and one of the tallest building’s in Charleston for over 260 years. It was the tallest building in South Carolina until 1856 when the Citadel Baptist Church was built.
The steeple is one of the most beautiful and iconic landmarks in South Carolina and it has served as a navigational landmark for ships approaching Charleston Harbor and as a look‑out and observation post during the American Revolution, War of 1812 & Civil War.
