July 3rd, 2025 – Charleston is about to welcome a new kind of hospitality. Aspen One—the luxury powerhouse behind Aspen Snowmass, The Little Nell, and Limelight Hotels—is bringing its acclaimed mountain-meets-metropolitan ethos to the East Coast for the first time. Scheduled to open in 2028, Limelight Charleston will take shape at 306 King Street and 86 Society Street, anchoring itself in the heart of the city’s historic district.
This announcement marks a milestone for the Limelight brand, which has steadily expanded its portfolio across high-demand U.S. leisure markets. Charleston will be its seventh location and the first outside the West, signaling a coastal evolution that places lifestyle and locality at the forefront.
Designed to offer more than a place to stay, Limelight Charleston will feature a 50-room boutique hotel complemented by 16 private residences—an increasingly sought-after hybrid in today’s luxury accommodation landscape. At the core of the experience will be the brand’s signature “living room”—a communal hub that functions as both gathering space and cultural anchor.
The project will also introduce a design-forward restaurant and bar, rooftop pool and dining deck, flexible meeting spaces, and an on-site parking garage—all tailored to echo Charleston’s rhythm without compromising on modern sophistication.
“Aspen Hospitality and Category complement each other perfectly. Our partnership represents a shared desire to create a first-class property in Charleston—one that honors the city’s character and storied architecture, and that can become a genuine part of the community’s fabric for generations to come.”Daniel Pourbaba, Founder and CEO of development partner Category Company
For Aspen One, the decision to bring Limelight to Charleston wasn’t made lightly. The company’s growth model has prioritized high-barrier-to-entry markets with a strong sense of place—cities that draw discerning travelers not only for their scenery but for their substance.
“Expanding the Limelight brand to Charleston is a milestone moment for us,” said Jeff Toscano, CEO of Aspen Hospitality.
“The continued growth of Limelight Hotels in a thoughtful, intentional way brings authentic connections to the country’s most interesting and exciting destinations. Embarking on this development in such a great location within Charleston is a moment worth celebrating.”Jeff Toscano, CEO of Aspen Hospitality
With its proximity to the College of Charleston and deep ties to the surrounding cultural and culinary scenes, the site selection reflects a long-view commitment to creating something that’s both elevated and embedded.
The Charleston announcement follows a period of accelerated growth for Limelight Hotels. What began as a three-property brand in early 2023 has now expanded to seven locations either open or in development. Limelight Boulder is set to open later this summer in Colorado, with Limelight Mammoth following in California this winter.
Existing properties in Aspen, Snowmass, Denver, and Ketchum already exemplify the brand’s reputation for design, service, and location—a trifecta that Limelight Charleston aims to deliver with a distinctly Southern inflection.
As the hospitality industry evolves to meet the expectations of travelers seeking luxury with a sense of locality, Limelight Charleston positions itself to be both a destination and a neighbor. It will serve as a hospitality anchor in a historic city that continues to attract global attention—not just for its charm, but for its layered sophistication.
With architecture rooted in context and amenities designed for modern living, the new Limelight Hotel and Residences will offer something more enduring than a stylish stay—it will offer a new lens through which to experience Charleston.