Thomas Ravenel has just purchased a pricey new piece of real estate in Aiken, South Carolina.
The former Southern Charm star, known for his expensive homes and properties, took on a new purchase, this time a $1.8 million dollar estate known as “The Balcony.”
“I’m going to be spending a lot of time there,” Thomas told The Aiken Standard in a May 20 interview. “It’s going to be my primary residence. My children that I split custody with will continue to attend school in Charleston, necessitating that I keep a house down there and live in Charleston while they are in school on the weeks that I have them. Otherwise, I want to be there (at The Balcony) as much as possible.”
The property has 5.82 acres and boasts a 10,552-square-foot main residence with exterior walls made of brick and veneer. The 7-bedroom, 6.5-bathroom home has 10 ft. ceilings, classic woodwork, and French doors leading to numerous balconies and terraces.
Also on the property is a 1,134 square-foot house and stables. This is ideal for Thomas, who noted in the interview how he loves playing polo and “the equestrian lifestyle.”
The property also contains a guest house with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms.
The historic property was designed by architect Julian Peabody between WWI and WWII. It was first owned by Seymour H. Knox II, a Buffalo, New York banker, philanthropist, and polo player. Since Knox died in 1990, the estate has had various owners over the years, although its original aesthetic and design has stayed pretty much intact.
Thomas said he planned to keep the original allure of the place, but that “restoring and redecorating old houses” is a hobby he enjoys, so he’s looking to make some changes of his own.
“I’ve got an interior designer involved, and I want to do a lot of different things to it,” he noted. “My construction manager hired a general contractor who is from Aiken. We’re looking forward to really transforming the home into a wonderful showplace. It’s been kept in great shape by the previous owners, but I just want to put my own individual stamp on it, and that will take a while. I probably won’t move in there for at least 120 days.”
