The only remaining historic property on Kiawah, 99 Governor's Drive, known as The Vanderhorst Estate is an homage to more than 200 years of the Island's evolution. Built in 1803, the Vanderhorst mansion was one of two original houses on Kiawah. Created by General Arnoldus Vanderhorst, the estate was initially a plantation for the cultivation of cotton. As both the Mayor of Charleston and two-term Governor of South Carolina, Vanderhorst's home regularly welcomed local luminaries. And for more than two centuries, each window framed the wild, untamed beauty of the property's blanketing marshlands and ancient live oak trees. The landscapes surrounding the residence pay tribute to Kiawah's signature appeal. Across a golden expanse of acreage, the Island's essence is revealed through honey-hued marshes, maritime forests, and shimmering waterways. And two buildable parcels of land on either side of the home allow for the creation of a family compound-a magnificent getaway for multiple generations to come together throughout the year. The grand approach to the residence is a magnificent allee of weather-sculpted live oaks. At allee's end, the four-story home reveals itself: an ideal archetype of a bygone era. The two-story piazza with its arched brick base reflects the classic Lowcountry plantation aesthetic of the times, as do the prominent attic dormers and broad second-story porch. Equally at ease in city and country, General Vanderhorst utilized fine brick, imported slate, and stunning marble to accessorize the exterior-mirroring design trends popular in Charleston at the time. Vacant for most of the 20th century, the Vanderhorst mansion received a series of updates in 1995. The current sellers, intent on utilizing the estate for large, extended family gatherings, enlisted renowned Charleston Architects Chris Schmitt and Glenn Keys to restore the home's interior for comfort and efficiency, while maintaining its historic heritage. The riches of The Vanderhorst Estate extend far beyond the doors of the home. Along with a shimmering swimming pool and basketball court built for fun and fitness, the property's Creekhouse stakes its claim as a family-favorite gathering space. Tucked just beyond a strand of trees and accessible by footpath, the huge screened-in kitchen was constructed in 2008. The indoor-outdoor venue features multiple bars, a circular firepit, and a hot tub on the deck. Overlooking a grand expanse of marsh, meandering creeks, and towering oaks, the Creekhouse promises that spectacular views come standard with every spirited, social event. Located beyond the second gate in the Vanderhorst community, this exceptionally private address claims 16 acres of premier Island real estate. A Kiawah Island Club Membership is available with this property, which is mere moments from our 10-mile beach, numerous Club amenities, and Pete Dye's famed Ocean Course, host of the 2021 PGA Championship. Welcome to Vanderhorst: Your future begins in 1803.
This property is off market, which means it's not currently listed for sale or rent on Zillow. This may be different from what's available on other websites or public sources.
