163 Old Buncombe Rd - Cross Keys
163 Old Buncombe Rd, Union, SC 29379
Price
$950,000
Sale Type
INVESTMENT OR OWNER USER
Property Type
SPECIALTY
For Sale
Investment
For Sale
$950,000
Historic Cross Keys House is a National Register Property offering a destination agri-tourism and heritage hospitality opportunity, as well as a live-work estate. Built between 1812 and 1814, this historic property presents a rare opportunity to develop a destination-driven business rooted in agri-tourism and heritage hospitality while also serving as… Read Morean ideal live-work estate that allows an owner to reside on-site while operating income-producing ventures. The property already includes existing men’s and women’s restroom facilities for events and visitors, and features architectural distinctions such as rare diamond-pattern Flemish bond brick chimneys. It is well-suited for weddings, retreats, culinary events, festivals, and heritage tourism programming, and is located just 10 minutes from Interstate 26, 35 minutes to Spartanburg, and 45 minutes to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). The setting offers an authentic rural landscape with strong potential for experiential tourism development.The Historic Cross Keys House presents an extraordinary opportunity to acquire one of the Upstate’s most distinctive historic properties and transform it into a destination centered on agri-tourism, heritage hospitality, and experiential events. Located in southwestern Union County, South Carolina, the home was constructed between 1812 and 1814 and stands as one of the region’s most architecturally significant historic residences. It sits within the cultural landscape of the once “large and prosperous” Cross Keys Plantation, which historically served as an important travel stop along early transportation routes linking the South Carolina backcountry with the Lowcountry. Positioned near the historic travel corridors of Old Charleston Road (Old Buncombe Road) and Old Ninety-Six Road (Old Piedmont Stage Road), the property reflects a time when travelers, merchants, and settlers moved through the area along stage routes connecting Charleston with the interior of the state. Today, the Cross Keys House retains the character, scale, and presence that made it a landmark in the early nineteenth century and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing both its architectural significance and its place within the historic landscape of the South Carolina backcountry. Beyond its historic importance, the property offers exceptional potential for adaptive reuse as a hospitality-focused destination, with its surrounding acreage, historic architecture, and rural setting creating an ideal environment for an owner-operator seeking to establish a venue centered on authentic Southern heritage and experiential tourism.The Cross Keys House provides a rare opportunity for a buyer to live on the property while operating a hospitality or tourism-based enterprise. The site naturally lends itself to a variety of destination-driven uses, including wedding and special event venues, farm-to-table dining experiences and culinary gatherings, agri-tourism operations and seasonal festivals, heritage tourism destinations and interpretive programming, retreats, workshops, and educational events, boutique lodging or a bed-and-breakfast concept, and a private estate hosting curated gatherings and cultural events. A key operational advantage is the presence of existing men’s and women’s restroom facilities, which is uncommon for historic rural properties. This infrastructure significantly reduces the cost and complexity of launching event-based operations and makes the property immediately adaptable for visitor-focused activities. For entrepreneurs looking to capitalize on the rapidly expanding experiential travel and agri-tourism market, the property offers an authentic environment that cannot be replicated by modern venues.Architecturally, the Cross Keys House remains an exceptional example of Federal-period design in the South Carolina backcountry, retaining strong historic integrity and numerous character-defining features associated with early nineteenth-century craftsmanship. Most notable is the extremely rare diamond-pattern Flemish bond brickwork found in all four exterior chimneys, a distinctive masonry technique seldom seen in the region. This unusual brick pattern creates a striking visual element and serves as a testament to the skilled craftsmanship of the early republic period. Details of this caliber significantly enhance the property’s historic appeal and reinforce its potential as a heritage tourism destination. The home’s historic presence, combined with the surrounding landscape, creates a setting that continues to evoke the atmosphere experienced by travelers more than two centuries ago.While the property offers the tranquility and charm of a historic rural estate, it is also conveniently positioned within reach of several major regional markets, including 10 minutes to Interstate 26, 35 minutes to Spartanburg, and 45 minutes to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). This accessibility allows the property to function effectively as a regional destination venue capable of attracting guests from across the Upstate, the Charlotte region, and beyond. The combination of rural authenticity and regional connectivity is a key advantage for hospitality or event-driven development.The Cross Keys House offers an outstanding platform for developing a heritage-driven tourism destination within one of the fastest-growing segments of the hospitality industry: experiential travel. Today’s travelers increasingly seek authentic places with history, character, and cultural meaning rather than conventional commercial venues, and properties like the Cross Keys House provide exactly that experience—an environment where architecture, landscape, and history combine to create a memorable destination. An owner-operator could establish a heritage farm venue or boutique hospitality retreat where visitors gather for weddings, seasonal events, culinary experiences, and educational programming tied to regional agriculture and history. The ability to combine residential living with hospitality operations creates a sustainable business model that blends lifestyle with entrepreneurship. Few historic properties offer this combination of architectural significance, visitor infrastructure, rural setting, and access to major population centers.The Historic Cross Keys House represents a rare opportunity to acquire a landmark property with both historic significance and commercial potential. Whether developed as a heritage hospitality destination, an agri-tourism venue, or a private estate hosting curated events, the property provides the foundation for a truly distinctive place rooted in the cultural landscape of the South Carolina Upstate. For investors, entrepreneurs, and preservation-minded buyers alike, it offers the chance to create a destination that thoughtfully blends history and commerce.Read Less
Features
Price
$950,000
Price Per SF
$231.71
Sale Type
INVESTMENT OR OWNER USER
Sale Conditions
1031 Exchange
Property Type
SPECIALTY
Building Class
B
Lot Size
27 AC
Building Size
4,100 SF
Parcel Number
112-00-00-001 000
Investment Highlights
- Turnkey Potential for Agri-Tourism & Event Hospitality
- Strategic Yet Scenic & peaceful rural setting in Union County with convenient regional access — 10 minutes to Interstate 26
additional listing information
Michael Bedenbaugh
Senior Commercial Advisor
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