Morris Adjmi Architects

The Pinch

34,000 square feet
3 stories, 25 keys
Charleston, South Carolina
2022

The Pinch, one of Charleston’s most beloved boutique hotels, offers guests a blend of historic ambiance, modern amenities, and residential comforts. Located on lower King Street, the unique hospitality development is an assemblage of four buildings—a new three-story structure and three restored buildings dating back to 1843.

Brick facade of The Pinch facing the mews in Charleston, with Juliet balconies, a signed storefront entrance, planters, and a striped awning over a gated courtyard
Vertical “The Pinch” signage on a tan facade with white window surrounds in Charleston

The Pinch is a luxury hospitality complex comprised of four buildings facing a common mews that services the entrance to the new hotel. For the new 3-story building, MA designed two distinctive facades: a contextually appropriate limestone facade facing King Street, which required BAR approval and was designed to be retail-oriented, as well as a brick facade on the rear of the building facing the mews. The development also features a bespoke ground-floor restaurant and a small courtyard with an outdoor fireplace for guests to enjoy year-round. 

The hotel's overall design takes inspiration from the great English traditions of craftsmanship that were brought to Charleston and played a large role in creating many of the iconic homes and storefronts that give the city its charm. Located within the new building, the Pinch's lobby is designed to feel like a living room, complete with a reclaimed oxblood leather concierge desk, vintage McIntosh stereo, and a collection of vinyl, books, and artwork, including an original painting by Lucas Reiner. Traditional details—including walnut herringbone floors, large-scale classic trim, stonework, and clay plaster walls—reinforce the history of the site.

Guest suite with a patterned accent wall, a fabric pendant light, an orange sofa, a vintage rug on herringbone wood floors, and a bar cart beneath tall windows

While there are subtle variations and unique configurations within each suite, they all feature warm and refined interiors with custom furniture, artisanal wall coverings, vintage rugs and decor, full kitchens with Italian marble farmhouse sinks, and hand-glazed Zellige tile in bathrooms.

Guest suite bedroom with a bold black-and-white botanical wall covering, a curved wood headboard, and a nightstand with a pleated lamp
Full suite kitchen with an Italian marble farmhouse sink, a stone-topped island with wood stools, open shelving, a range, and herringbone wood floors
Suite bathroom with patterned floor tile, a frosted glass shower door, hand-glazed Zellige tile in the shower, and a wood stool by a hanging robe
Bathroom vanity with a wood-framed mirror, gold-toned fixtures and sconce, a round tabletop mirror, and a veined stone countertop over wood cabinetry
Guest suite corner with a green floral wall covering, a textured upholstered armchair, a nightstand with a pleated lamp, and a bed with a wood headboard
Suite kitchenette with a wood countertop, a gold-toned bridge faucet, a two-burner cooktop, and an open shelf with dishes, plants, and framed art
Courtyard at The Pinch in Charleston with an outdoor brick fireplace flanked by blue cushioned sofas and a stone-topped side table on a brick patio