A reality TV star won’t get to make changes to the gate outside his home on Aiken’s Whiskey Road.
The Aiken Design Review Board voted unanimously Tuesday evening to reject Thomas Ravenel’s application to make changes to the gate of The Balcony.
Ravenel, 61, starred in the first five seasons of Bravo’s “Southern Charm.” He defeated a nine-term incumbent to become state treasurer in 2006 but resigned seven months into his term after being indicted on federal drug charges. Ravenel also twice ran for U.S. Senate.
He purchased The Balcony in 2020 for $1.8 million, according to Aiken County property tax records .
The Balcony, located at 836 Whiskey Road, is on the northeast corner of Whiskey Road’s intersection with Knox Avenue in the Historic Aiken Overlay District which gives the Design Review Board oversight on changes to the exterior of the structure.
A vehicle struck the gate of the house Dec. 10, 2023 .
Ravenel asked the Design Review Board for permission to replace it and make changes to it.
Ravenel didn’t need permission to replace the gate, Design Review Board Chairman McDonald Law said.
Ravenel proposed three major changes to the gate.
First, the four columns surrounding the gate would be painted Sherwin Williams flat back.
Second, a golden ball (Nova 185 Sun Gold) would be installed atop each column.
And third, a plaque with a design of his initials would be installed in the gate.
Law asked if the plaque could be removed.
Donald Butler, owner of Aiken Ornamental Iron Works, said he planned to weld the plaque onto the gate but added it could be removed by grinding.
Vice Chairwoman Faith Hawks made a motion to approve the replacement of the gates but reject the proposed changes.
John McMichael seconded her motion.
Three people – Luis Rinaldini, Lucy Knowles and Martin Buckley – spoke in opposition to the proposed changes. Rinaldini said he represented the Historic Aiken Foundation.
They asserted the proposed changes did not fit the character of the Historic Aiken Overlay District and other homes in the city.
Julian Peabody, son-in-law of Thomas Hitchcock Sr., designed the home. It was built in 1909 (Aiken County property tax records) or 1930 (Aiken Historic Resources Survey Card).
At one point, Seymour Knox II – his father co-founded Woolworth’s and his sister, Dorothy Knox Goodyear Rogers owned the Rye Patch – owned the home.
