Gateway Walk Park
A conversion of a surface parking lot to a series of lawns and gardens, extending downtown Charleston’s “Gateway Walk” through a currently-vacant office complex. The concept calls for removal of the rear portion of the main building, rehabilitation of the King Street building for food-based commercial use (with outdoor dining), and, of course, ample walkways and green space.
NOTE: This is a conceptual study.
Given its location between King and Meeting Streets, a new park space would provide much needed green space in one of the densest parts of the Charleston peninsula. Just north of the Gibbes Museum of Art and the Charleston Library Society, this park will expand the existing Gateway Walk while creating a large outdoor courtyard to support new dining opportunities.
The rendering shows a central lawn space between the two buildings. A walking path around the space connects the small gardens on the east to the outdoor cafe space beside the King Street building. The grass area is large and gets plenty of sunlight, while perimeter trees provide cooling shade.
Utilizing the existing vehicular drive as the path for the Gateway Walk will double the walking space and provide more room for trees and landscaping. Iron gates and a dense tree canopy match existing characteristics of the Gateway Walk, creating a cohesive user experience.
The building fronting King Street would be an ideal location for a new cafe or restaurant. Converting the driveway to a courtyard, as shown in this image, would allow for outdoor patio seating. The space has a mix of shaded areas and sunny spots, allowing for year round use.
