THESE THREE colocated carrier shrouds appear to be toilet rolls, so say Charleston, SC residents who were not pleased with a replacement of an SBA Communications Corp. monopole in 2023. Since then, the towerco has added a fourth roll, and preservationists want the entire structure flushed and rebuilt to its original design.
A telecommunications tower off Line Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, has been a source of debate since its completion in 2023. Historic preservation advocates are pushing for changes, arguing that the structure deviates significantly from its initially approved design.
Based on the initial designs, the Historic Charleston Foundation, one of the organizations involved in the review of the structure, did not raise concerns about the tower’s construction. However, once the 120-foot structure was erected, the foundation and residents were taken aback by its altered appearance. The finished tower, substantially different in scale and form from the approved plans, immediately stood out against Charleston’s skyline.
Community members quickly dubbed it the “toilet paper tower” due to its resemblance to stacked rolls, and some even projected humorous imagery onto its surface. Nearby billboards joined in on the satire, amplifying the public reaction to the structure’s unexpected aesthetic.
The foundation maintains that the approved design was significantly smaller and more streamlined, bearing little resemblance to the final version. In response to these discrepancies, the organization contacted the State Historic Preservation Office, which acknowledged the concerns and escalated the matter to the FCC for further examination.
Their ultimate goal is to remove and replace the current tower with the initially approved version. They argue that regulatory processes exist to prevent such discrepancies, ensuring that new developments respect Charleston’s historic character. The belief is that when these procedures are overlooked, the consequences become highly visible, as evidenced by the backlash surrounding this tower.
Adding to the controversy, an additional carrier colocation—resembling a fourth roll in the stack—was later attached to the structure, further diverging from the initial design without prior approval. This addition has sparked a fresh wave of criticism, with some residents jokingly calling it the “bonus roll no one asked for.” Others have quipped that Charleston’s skyline now has “extra absorbency,” while some sarcastically suggest the city should embrace its new title as the “Softest Historic District in America.”
Despite the objections, the foundation acknowledges the necessity of the tower for improved telecommunications services in the area. However, they insist that infrastructure projects integrate seamlessly with Charleston’s historic aesthetic rather than disrupt it.
After months of advocacy, the FCC has weighed in on the issue. The agency’s federal preservation officers have determined that the tower has hurt the city, signaling a mitigation process will be undertaken. While the specific steps remain unclear, the foundation views this acknowledgment as a significant step forward and is eager to see what corrective measures will be implemented.
The debate over the tower comes at a time of rapid development along the corridor where it stands. Preservation advocates remain committed to ensuring that changes in the area respect Charleston’s architectural heritage while accommodating modern infrastructure needs. As the FCC reviews the case, local organizations continue to push for accountability in the approval and oversight processes governing such projects.
