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History in Homes: Willie Ward’s impact on Greenville real estate

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Exterior of 314 Crescent Ave., a Willie Ward-designed home with black shutters and a front walkaway lined with full foliage.

314 Crescent Ave. is an example of a classic Willie Ward home. Ward was an architect who contributed to more than 133 South Carolinian buildings, ranging from luxurious estates to quaint, charming cottages.

Photo by Ben Ivins Photography

We are lucky to have some of the most beautiful homes + diverse architectural styles in not only the state, but in the entire country.

One of Greenville’s most famous architects was Willie Ward, who designed more than 133 commercial and residential structures in the state from 1917 into the 40s.

For old home lovers, his homes can be easy to spot thanks to forward-thinking details that were ahead of his time (think: spacious closets and shoe racks). They include:

  • Tudor-style
  • Colonial-style
  • Brick detailing
  • European characteristics like arched doorways, decorative windows + exposed beams

Want an inside look at a current Willie Ward home? Take a photo tour of this storybook listing on Crescent Avenue listed with Drew Torres.

See more iconic Upstate real estate

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