Charleston’s long-awaited luxury waterfront hotel has a new arrival date — and a bigger sense of ambition.
The Cooper, a 191-room stunner rising along Concord Street, has officially pushed its opening to early 2026, with reservations now live for March 1. It’s a delay years in the making, but one its developers say is worth the wait.
Lukus Grace, managing director of The Cooper, told the Post & Courier the team refused to rush the finish: they wanted a property built for the next 50 years, not a quick flip. “As the first waterfront luxury hotel on the peninsula, this is something inherently unique,” Grace said, adding that the vision is “a resort in the middle of a beautiful historic city.”
That blend — high-end escape meets Charleston charm — is the foundation of a project that’s been under construction since early 2020. Originally envisioned to open in 2022, the hotel faced foundation issues, design overhauls, and a change in ownership structure as BHC, the company led by Charleston businessman Ben Navarro, stepped in and reimagined the look and feel.
A New Front Door to the Harbor
The Cooper sits steps from Waterfront Park and the iconic pineapple fountain, opening the harbor to visitors who previously had to choose between downtown and resort destinations farther afield. Grace told the Post & Courier that the hotel lets guests “stay along and enjoy the harbor” without leaving the city’s walkable core.
Inside, the experience leans fully into luxury: a rooftop infinity pool, a public spa, a marina with a fleet of charter-ready vessels, and more than 20,000 square feet of event space — including a Grand Lawn for up to 400 guests.
Four Restaurants, One Vision
Food will be a defining feature.
Executive chef Nick Dugan — the culinary force behind BHC’s Sorelle — takes the helm of all four dining concepts. He told the Post & Courier that his experience managing multiple menus at Sorelle and its Mercato concept prepared him for orchestrating a culinary ecosystem under one roof.
The headliner: The Crossing, a Mediterranean-leaning restaurant with 196 seats, waterfront views, a chef’s table, and a sweeping circular bar.
On the first floor, CurrentBurger brings a polished, fast-casual ode to the American soda shop — smash burgers, milkshakes, and soft-serve included.
Cooper Coffee & Wine offers European boulangerie vibes by day and a wine-bar glow by night, overlooking the hotel’s marina.
And on the fourth floor, Bar Marti becomes a guests-only escape — an open-air poolside bar wrapped in harbor breezes.
Years in the Making — and Already Booking Up
The site, once the State Ports Authority headquarters, was purchased in 2017 for $38 million. What followed was a tangle of timelines, redesigns, and pandemic-era hurdles. But with construction nearing completion — and events already booked well into 2026 — The Cooper is positioning itself not just as a hotel, but as a civic moment.
Grace framed it simply: “We wanted to develop a beautiful five-star hotel that Charleston is extremely proud of — and that’s what The Cooper will be.” Post & Courier
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