HUSK RESTAURANT AND BAR
76 & 76 Queen Street, Charleston, SC
Complete Renovation and Change of Use
Owner: Neighborhood Dining Group
Contractor: Crest Construction
Completed: 2012.

Project Overview
 74 Queen/Husk Bar: This 1,440 square foot circa 1850 brick structure somehow survived the great fire of 1861 that swept through this district of Charleston. The building originally used as a residence and later an office endured many years of neglect before its purchase by the Neighborhood Dining Group in 2009. The design concept was to remove the severely damaged wood interior wall framing and what was left of the plaster walls creating large expansive rooms on both floors. The original brick walls and wood roof structure were left exposed allowing the users of the building to see and feel the simple geometry of the original structure and timeless essence of the locally produced sun-dried brick and hand-hewn beams.  Although the second level floor system was completely rebuilt to accommodate an increase in the required structural capacity of the floor, the new steel floor framing was clad with a wood that is in keeping with the original wood framing.  New wood windows and window trim match the original architectural windows and trim.   Indirect lighting is used to feature the historic brick and wood framing. The current use of the renovated building is a bar and lounge on the second floor. 
 
76 Queen/ Husk Restaurant: This circa 1880 wood frame structure required significant interior and exterior renovation and upgrades to bring the building into compliance with the current building codes and new room layout. Historic features were retained wherever possible.  The owner retained an interior designer for the selection of the interior finishes.  Custom flower boxes were designed for the second-floor South piazza to both address the need for a code required higher guardrails while at the same time introducing greenery to the building.  Gardens, customer seating, and a water feature now also grace the entrance to the property.


AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS:

2010,   THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF CHARLESTON;  "CAROLOPOLIS AWARD FOR EXCELLANCE IN RESTORATION"

2011,   SOUTHERN LIVING;  "BEST NEW RESTAURANT"IN THE  SOUTH"

2011, BON APPETIT;  "BEST NEW RESTAURANT IN AMERICA"

2012,   GARDEN AND GUN ;"50 BEST  BARS IN THE SOUTH"

2012,  FORBES ; " THE BEST 100 RESTAURANTS IN AMERICA"

2013,   SOUTHERN LIVING;  "THE SOUTH'S BEST RESTAURANTS IN 2013"