By Jennifer Jordan | Charleston Housing News

For generations of Charlestonians, the grand residence at 74 Murray Boulevard has been more than just another historic home overlooking the Battery.

It has been a landmark.

A conversation piece.

A reminder that Charleston’s most treasured homes often carry stories as memorable as their architecture.

This week, one of those stories entered a new chapter as the property affectionately known as the “Piggly Wiggly House” officially changed hands for $7.2 million.

The sale closed June 8 after the home was listed earlier this year for $8.5 million.

And while the stately residence remains, one of its most recognizable features will not.

The pair of pig statues that helped inspire the home’s nickname will leave with the seller.

A House Built During Charleston’s Transformation

Constructed in 1914, 74 Murray Boulevard was among the earliest homes built along the newly created Murray Boulevard corridor.

At the time, Charleston was in the midst of reinventing its waterfront landscape.

The seawall and promenade that today define The Battery had only recently been expanded westward, creating what would become one of the city’s most prestigious residential addresses.

Many of the homes built during this era reflected Charleston’s emergence into the early twentieth century while maintaining architectural traditions that had defined the city for generations.

The residence at 74 Murray Boulevard embodied both.

Its commanding façade, anchored by four towering two-story columns, quickly distinguished it from neighboring properties. Elevated piazzas captured harbor breezes while providing sweeping views across Charleston Harbor.

More than a century later, those same design principles continue to attract buyers seeking a blend of history and livability.

The Riley Family Years

Long before the property became associated with grocery stores and bronze pigs, the house belonged to another prominent Charleston family.

For approximately 45 years, the residence was owned by the parents of former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, whose leadership would later shape the city’s national reputation for historic preservation and thoughtful urban planning.

During Riley’s tenure as mayor from 1975 through 2016, Charleston emerged as one of America’s most celebrated historic cities.

The connection between the Riley family and 74 Murray Boulevard adds another layer to the property’s significance within Charleston’s civic history.

Enter the “Piggly Wiggly House”

In 1997, the property was purchased for $1.3 million by Joseph “Buzzy” Newton III, the longtime leader of Piggly Wiggly Carolina.

Newton served as CEO of the regional grocery chain and became a well-known figure in South Carolina business circles.

Over time, the residence developed a local nickname.

The pig statues positioned prominently near the entrance transformed the already distinctive home into one of Charleston’s most recognizable private residences.

Visitors touring The Battery frequently paused to photograph the sculptures.

Locals used the pigs as landmarks when giving directions.

“The Piggly Wiggly House” had officially entered Charleston folklore.

Newton passed away in January 2025.

For many Charlestonians, the sale represents the closing of a chapter associated with both the Newton family and one of the city’s most beloved pieces of neighborhood character.

A Rare Offering Along The Battery

The appeal of 74 Murray Boulevard extends well beyond its history.

Situated on a corner lot spanning approximately 0.26 acres, the property enjoys unobstructed water views that have become increasingly difficult to acquire downtown.

The home features:

• Four bedrooms
• Five bathrooms
• Approximately 11-foot ceilings
• Multiple fireplaces
• Double piazzas
• A screened porch overlooking the harbor
• An elevator
• A basement
• A two-car garage
• Additional off-street parking for four vehicles

Perhaps most remarkably, the residence has endured more than a century of Charleston hurricanes, flooding events, and changing environmental conditions.

Listing agent Leslie Turner noted that while the home was not necessarily turnkey by modern standards, its enduring construction spoke volumes.

“It was well-built,” Turner said previously, pointing to the home’s resilience through Charleston’s ever-changing coastal environment.

A Buyer Who Saw Potential

The property went under contract on March 25 before officially closing on June 8.

According to county records, the purchaser was 74 Murray Blvd. LLC in what agents described as a cash transaction.

Mary Lou Wertz, who represented the buyer, indicated that her clients had been searching in Charleston for some time before finding the right fit.

Although approximately 60 days on market might seem lengthy by historical downtown Charleston standards, today’s luxury buyers often prioritize properties that align with their vision.

For the right buyer, 74 Murray Boulevard offered something increasingly rare:

The opportunity to become the next steward of a home deeply woven into Charleston’s architectural and cultural fabric.

More Than a Sale

In a city where new condominium towers regularly dominate headlines, the transfer of ownership at 74 Murray Boulevard serves as a reminder that Charleston’s most important real estate transactions often involve far more than square footage and sales price.

Historic homes are, in many respects, community assets.

They help define neighborhoods.

They connect generations.

They tell stories that newer construction simply cannot replicate.

While the famous pig statues may soon disappear from Murray Boulevard, the home’s place in Charleston history remains secure.

After 112 years, 74 Murray Boulevard continues doing what it has always done:

Standing watch over Charleston Harbor while quietly witnessing the city’s next chapter unfold.