The distinctive yellow brick mansion at 19 East Battery was built for clothing merchant Julius M. Visanska (1865–1933) and his wife, civic leader Sarah Bentschner Visanska (1870–1926).

            Completed in 1920, it was designed by architect Albert Simons (1890-1980).  The same year, Simons (pronounced like Simmons) partnered with Samuel Lapham, Jr. (1892-1972).  Simons & Lapham were the top Charleston architectural firm of the 20th century.

            Simons’ design drew upon his knowledge of Palladian architecture. The work of Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) was the inspiration for the English Georgian style. The Colonial Revival style and Charleston tradition also influenced Simons.

            The house has two stories on a raised basement. The three-bay façade is complex, with an array of tripartite openings. The slightly recessed center bay features two plays on the Palladian (a.k.a. Venetian) opening -- a tripartite feature, the center of which is arched, wider and taller, with flanking trabeated portions.   

            A Palladian opening, featuring Tuscan columns supporting the arch, forms the front of a recessed portico, behind which is the main entrance, also contained in a Palladian opening. Above the portico was another porch, now enclosed, with a tripartite opening and Tuscan half-columns. There are quoins on either side of the center bay, and on the corners, and a section of  parapet over the center bay.

            On the south side, Charleston piazzas have Roman Doric columns in the first tier, Scamozzi Ionic in the second.  On the north, a port cochere provides a side entrance. A two story outbuilding houses a double garage and apartment.  

            The main house has rooms on each side of a wide center hall, another Palladian influence. Venetian influence is seen in the placement of the main staircase. It’s in a stair hall to the right of the central hall, not in the center hall, as was usual in English/Charlestonian tradition.  

            The interior scheme is Colonial Revival, with exquisite fireplace mantels, paneling, wainscot, cornices and door and window surrounds. Parquet flooring embellishes halls and main rooms.

            Over time, the once-fashionable yellow brick was no longer so, and number 19 became “the ugliest house in Charleston”.  Now, an appreciative generation refers to “the golden house” and the bricks are “dijon-colored”.

            The house stands on part of the site of Fort Mechanic, built in 1794 when war with Great Britain was possible. It was named for the Mechanics Society, whose members donated skills and labor to build it.

            A four story residence, featuring a curving front and tiers of piazzas, was built ca. 1817 for John Bee Holmes (1760-1827). The Holmes house remained in his family until 1909, when Robert B. Tucker purchased it. Tucker demolished the house after the 1911 hurricane.  Visanska bought the vacant lot in 1919.    

            Born in Richmond to Polish immigrants, Julius Marion Visanska spent most of his life in South Carolina. As a young man he opened a clothing store at 253 King Street. Across the street was the establishment of David Bentschner (d. 1900) whose daughter Sarah he married in 1895. He and his father-in-law became partners as Bentschner & Visanska, specialists in high-end men’s wear.

            Visanska was the first president of the Retail Merchants’ Association, formed in 1911. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hebrew Orphan Society, and member of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim synagogue.  

            Charleston born Sarah Fredericka Bentschner Visanska was a graduate of the prestigious Charleston Female Seminary, and was president of its Alumnae Association. She helped establish the first free kindergarten in Charleston, and was an officer of the South Carolina Kindergarten Association.

            Sarah was the first president in 1898 of the Charleston Section, National Council of Jewish Women. She served on the Board of the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition, 1901-02. She was president of the Civic Club of Charleston, Charleston Federation of Women’s Clubs, and South Carolina Federation of Women’s Clubs. She was an officer of the Hebrew Ladies’ Benevolent Association and of the Sarah Gray Home for Girls.

            Ernest Lee Visanska (1882-1935), brother of Julius, also lived and died at 19 East Battery. He was an attorney and decorated veteran of World War I.

            Nineteen East Battery was purchased by Michael J. Greene in 2019.