The quick and forced Feb. 28 evacuation of the 100+ units of Dockside condominium along the Cooper River might best be characterized as “unexpectedly expected.”
Residents were stunned on Feb. 26 to learn they had to be out of the swanky high-rise building, Charleston’s tallest, by 5 p.m. two days later due to suspected structural issues.
But for at least two years, they’ve known something has been going on structurally with the 49-year-old tower, situated on Cooper Street between the new International African American Museum and the Fort Sumter Visitor Center with sweeping views of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge.
In 2023, engineers found “structural issues stemmed from problems with the initial construction of the building, not from gradual deterioration,” according to one city report. That led an engineering firm to recommend temporary shoring to stabilize the building. Nevertheless, a report showed the building could “safely support the weight of firefighters, equipment and water in the event of an emergency.” And so it stayed open.
No safety concerns at IAAM
The 19-story building’s next door neighbor, the new museum, is pretty close, alarming some of its possible fate if the condo tower were to collapse.
“During this time, our hearts and prayers go out to our neighbors during this challenging time,” IAAM spokesman Paul Holston said in a statement last week. “We are aware of the evacuation notice issued to our neighbors. Based on conversation with city officials, at present there are no immediate safety concerns for IAAM at this time.”
In recent months, the building has undergone examination by engineers, particularly on upper floors where borings were taken to probe structural elements. Just last week, one upper-floor residence clearly showed signs of structural stress with three-foot-long vertical cracks along some door frames.
On Feb. 25, the tower’s board of directors received a tough-to-swallow engineering report that said the building was “unsafe for continued occupancy.” The next day, directors notified residents that they would have to get out: “After additional meetings with our engineering firm, WJE, we received a phone call from city officials at 4 p.m. this afternoon that the city of Charleston has imposed an evacuation order for Dockside,” a Wednesday afternoon email from the board of directors said. “All residents must be out of the building no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, February 28 (48 hours), with the understanding that there will be no timeline for return.”
A city of Charleston spokesman confirmed the evacuation almost three hours later: “The city of Charleston was made aware today by Dockside Association board representatives that their engineering firm has recommended evacuation of the building tower. In response, the city immediately contacted the engineering firm and verbally advised the Dockside Association representatives that residents should be prepared to evacuate by Friday at 5 p.m. … The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority, and we urge all affected residents to take the necessary precautions.”
‘Lives upended’
The disruptive news about one of the city’s toniest addresses in its tallest building hit residents and their family members like a ton of bricks, with one saying, “It’s the story of the lives upended.”
About 30 minutes before the evacuation deadline, the always-packed parking lot under the building was a shadow of its former self. Fewer than 20 vehicles had open doors and trunks as residents rushed to remove their belongings. One resident wandered around as if shell-shocked, stunned to have to uproot her life.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.