Charleston luxury real estate firm William Means Real Estate recently completed the sale of Lowndes Grove Plantation, the only surviving plantation on Charleston's downtown peninsula. Owners Alexander and Tina Opoulos, III, listed it for $7.2 million on March 27. Patrick Properties Events LLC purchased the property for $6.5 million, the second highest closing price in the history of real estate sales in Charleston's historic district. It is one of a handful of recent record-breaking sales in the downtown area. The contract for sale was entered into on May 25.

Our client chose to list with William Means for our depth of knowledge and experience, and ability to market luxury property on an international basis through our affiliation with Christie's Great Estates," says Helen Lyles Geer, William Means Broker-in-Charge.

"When it's luxury real estate, sellers and buyers think of Christie's to market their high-end properties worldwide," adds William Means agent Elle Haynes, who handled Lowndes Grove. Haynes specializes in the sale of small luxury hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.

"It's been my pleasure to represent Lex and Tina Opoulos in the sale of this valuable national treasure to a new owner that will continue the tradition of Lowndes Grove Plantation. Charles and Celeste Patrick of Patrick Properties have an outstanding reputation here in Charleston. I believe they're the best buyers for Lowndes Grove. Their restoration of the William Aiken House is a strong example of their preservation standards," Haynes says.

Patrick Properties Events LLC, a Charleston-based event planning and restaurant business, will continue to host weddings and special events at Lowndes Grove. Its other event properties include the William Aiken House, The American Theater and the award-winning restaurant, Fish.

Located at 266 St. Margaret Street on the banks of the Ashley River near The Citadel, Lowndes Grove Plantation was built circa 1786 and was once a 325-acre plantation. The home's alterations chronicle a more than 200-year-old history of evolving architectural design, from its original Georgian style, to Adamesque and Gothic Revival renovations. It contains one of three free-flying staircases that still exist in historic Charleston.

Lowndes Grove was named after U.S. Congressman William Lowndes who bought the property in 1804. It also was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Today the 14-acre property includes a six-bedroom 6,800-square-foot home, a four-bedroom carriage house and a three-bedroom groundskeeper's cottage.