Walk inside Robert Ryan's office and you have stepped into the Navy's oldest building along the Cooper River.
Built in 1905, the red brick building was designed to serve as the commandant's office. Today, the office hasn't changed much on the outside but the renovated interior displays artifacts from the base, such as china from past admirals' kitchens and a blue weather vane in the shape of a sailboat.
This is where Ryan leads the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority in the preservation of the Officers Housing District, one of the old Navy base's four historic districts recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. As the city of North Charleston catapults into the future with the addition of big business, first-place retail sales and hopes of westward expansion, Ryan and the RDA focus on preserving the past.
"This is our own little world," Ryan said.
In December, the RDA and Mayor Keith Summey agreed on a 10-year agreement in which the RDA can work rent-free while pursing an $8 million endeavor to renovate several iconic properties near the waterfront, namely the old admiral's house and schoolhouse. The renovation agreement will be a done deal once the North Charleston City Council approves the memorandum and the RDA signs off.
Quarters A, the Admirals House, will be renovated, alongside Quarters J, the old Navy schoolhouse. The RDA will also renovate the roadway and make the entryway into the sprawling waterfront quarters more appealing and visible.
The Admiral's Office was the second building the Navy built along the Cooper River. The Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority will renovate the building during the next few years and will eventually be used as an event venue. Leroy Burnell/Staff
"It's an iconic property," Ryan said. "The city would like to see it done."
An engineering firm will be hired to design improvements to the roadway and parking lot, said RDA operations director and engineer Sean McDonnell. Selecting a firm and getting designed will take the planning stage through 2018 and the RDA expects to break ground in 2019.
Not every part of the Navy base has changed. Just like the commandant's office still serves as office space, the shipyard was a shipyard 100 years ago, Ryan noted.
"If you go out and look out the window, there are ships at the docks. It's still a shipyard," he said. "Who knew the rail would want to create a rail yard?"
As the plans for the Navy Base Intermodal Facility unfolded, however, Ryan had to act fast to save what he could.
Built in 1898, the Charleston Naval Quarters F is the oldest "white" house on the complex near Riverfront Park. The city of North Charleston will employ an outside firm to design and furnish the home as a dual bed and breakfast and event venue. File/Leroy Burnell/Staff
Ryan scrambled to find a new home for the chapel closer to the office. The only stretch of land that could fit the chapel was next to Quarters F — a white home with nearly completed renovations.
The chapel fit squarely on an elevated patch of grass, just barely. Ryan relocated the building.
Light fixtures, doors and roof sheeting are among the materials Ryan and McDonnell try to use in the revitalization projects. The chapel's rehabilitation was a challenge because of the move. In the chapel, the original dark wood flooring, white wooden beams and stained glass windows and lights are all original.
"We try to reuse everything," Ryan said.
Since its renovations, the chapel has been used as an event venue. Ryan and McDonnell hope to use the newly renovated sites for future events.
There is still work to be done to the office. Another 2018 project includes installing an elevator in the office while maintaining the original look of the building.
Built in 1898, the Charleston Naval Quarters F is the oldest "white" house on the complex near Riverfront Park. The city of North Charleston will employ an outside firm to design and furnish the home as a dual bed and breakfast and event venue. File/Leroy Burnell/Staff
"The goal is to make it look like it did," McDonnell said. "But upgrade to ADA-compliant (Americans With Disabilities Act) standpoint."
The old Navy base sits southeast of Park Circle in what is now the city of North Charleston. The site is popular among tourists, historians and former Naval officers. And celebrities. When the TV show "Army Wives" filmed, Ryan bumped into Brooke Shields in the office kitchen.
"This is a benefit to the city of North Charleston and no doubt a benefit to the citizens," Ryan said.
