Robert Mills Manor Public Housing – Charleston SC

Description

The Robert Mills Manor public housing project in Charleston, South Carolina was constructed with New Deal funds, likely under the auspices of the Public Works Administration (PWA).

The Library of Congress: “The Robert Mills Manor Remains as Charleston’s earliest and most intact example of a locally initiated public low-income housing project. During the 1930s, the Federal government began a subsidy programs for the development of low-income housing and for slum clearance. The City of Charleston quickly took advantage of these programs, developing several large low income projects, the first of which was the Robert Mills Manor. Its associations with prominent local architects Albert Simons and Samuel Lapham, through their Housing Authorities Architects, and noted local landscape architect Loutrel W. Briggs, the site is an example of excellent early twentieth century institutional architecture and planning. While current plans call for the demolition of 3 Cromwell Alley, and 4, 6, and 7 Wilson Street, the essential form of the complex’s plan will not be substantially altered and the loss of these structures is mitigated by the rehabilitation of the remaining twenty-six similar structures. The remaining buildings include at least one structure essentially identical to each of the buildings being removed. Building/structure dates: 1939-1940 Initial Construction.”

The Old Marine Hospital predates the New Deal; however, the rear wings were demolished and the bricks reused as part of the building of the Robert Mills Manor project. The project the project was expanded after a tornado came through Charleston and housing demand increased.