Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row is a stretch of historic Georgian houses on East Bay Street in Charleston, near the Battery and Waterfront Park. Their pastel facades, shutters and ironwork make the block a memorable stop for architecture and photos. The houses date to the 18th century and were restored and painted in bright colors in the 20th century. Walk along the street to take in the changing details, then continue toward the waterfront. These are private homes, so enjoy the view from the sidewalk and leave doors, window boxes and driveways clear.

The houses on East Bay Street

Rainbow Row is the name given to a stretch of historic houses on East Bay Street in Charleston’s South of Broad neighborhood. The facades are painted in pastel shades, with shutters and ironwork adding detail to the street view. The row is close to the Battery and Waterfront Park, making it easy to include on a walk through the historic district.

The houses date to the 18th century. They were built for merchants, with shops on the ground floor and living quarters above. In the early 1800s, some were converted into private residences. The buildings fell into disrepair after the Civil War, before restoration work brought renewed attention to the block.

How the row got its colors

The houses were restored and painted in pastels during the 20th century, with accounts placing the work in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. The bright facades became a defining feature of the street. Explanations for the colors vary: some accounts connect them to Caribbean influences or the styles of the restoration era, while others repeat stories about helping sailors find their way home. The available details do not establish one explanation as definitive.

The row is often identified as around thirteen houses, though some descriptions count the buildings differently. Focus on the facades and their varied colors rather than trying to match a particular number.