Charleston, South Carolina — A long-awaited new park has opened in the center of downtown Charleston, transforming a parking lot into nearly an acre of beautiful green space, fountains, and community gathering spots. American Gardens, located between King and Meeting Streets, is now open everyday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and free to the public.
The $11 million project, developed by the Beemok Hospitality Group in collaboration with the City of Charleston and the Gibbes Museum of Art, offers additional green space to one of the historic district’s most commonly visited places.
From parking lot to urban oasis.
According to Eric Mann, General Manager of American Gardens with Beemok Hospitality Group, the vision for the park began years ago.
“The story is very beautiful,” Mann added. “This space has been for sale for quite some time, and it just so happened that a journalist wrote an article in 2022 claiming that this was the last option for green space between King and Meeting Street in the busiest part of town. Mr. Navarro got wind of it and felt it was a fantastic idea. A few years later, we began building, and what was formerly a parking lot in January and February is now a magnificent park available to the public.
The park has 68 crepe myrtles, over 100 magnolia trees, eight live oaks, and two unique four-tiered fountains. Every aspect, even the pavers, was made specifically for this project.
“It’s really intentional. The overall goal was to create a friendly, welcoming environment in which people could relax and enjoy themselves as they saw fit,” Mann added.
A tribute to the American dream.
Founder Ben Navarro saw the park as an homage to chance and possibilities.
“Mr. Navarro believes wholeheartedly in the American ideal. This park pays respect to that. One of my favorite slogans from the plaque behind me is “Plant a Garden for Tomorrow.” “This is an expression of what is possible with the American dream and what we can accomplish in our lives,” Mann stated.
The name American Gardens represents hope, unity, and community connection, characteristics that the place is intended to portray.
A public park with year-round programming
Despite being privately created and managed, American Gardens acts as a public park, allowing for freedom in programming and activities.
“One of the most interesting parts about this park is that it is a public park,” Mann told me. “Because we are privately owned, we have the freedom to do whatever we want with the space, which includes creating a beautiful, open, and friendly environment for the public. We have regular programming throughout the year. The entire objective is to bring our community together and provide a safe space, a place of refuge.”
The programming will include live performances and story time, as well as private events and community meetings. Mann encourages residents to stay connected.
“What really makes a space successful, especially a park in downtown Charleston, is the programming,” he told me. “Follow us on social media at American Garden CHS, check our programming schedule on AmericanGardenCHS.com, and really get involved.”
Holiday Events & Activations
The park opens just in time for the holiday season, and BHG is incorporating many of its popular Charleston Place holiday traditions into the new location.
“BHC enjoys our Christmas celebrations in December. While we have a lot of amazing décor and events at Charleston Place, we felt some of them should be moved down to American Gardens to improve foot traffic and build lovely holiday traditions,” Mann explained.
American Gardens will formally start off the holiday season on Friday, November 28 at 5:30 p.m. with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with live music, beverages, and local merchants.
From Nov. 28 through Dec. 24, American Gardens will feature:
- A 30-foot Fraser fir
- Twinkling lights
- A whimsical children’s carousel
- A holiday market
- Workshops with the Gibbes Museum (snow globe making, ornament workshops, and more)
- Daily live music
- Visits from Santa on Saturdays
- Visitors can also enjoy holiday activities at Charleston Place, including its vintage train and additional Santa appearances.
A New Gathering Place in Charleston
American Gardens breaks new ground in Charleston, both symbolically and literally, by replacing a paved lot with purposeful green space in a congested urban neighborhood. The park invites both inhabitants and tourists to pause, connect, and appreciate nature in the heart of the city.
“We would love to see people come and create beautiful experiences, events, and activations in the park,” Mann told the audience.
American Gardens is open everyday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is free to all.
