Honoring its founder, SHELTER Custom-Built Living is redefining the luxury homebuilding process 

Operating across the Charleston, South Carolina area, SHELTER Custom-Built Living (Shelter) is an award-winning, locally owned custom homebuilding company. With a vested interest in delivering clients’ dream homes with meticulous attention to detail, the company is committed to crafting aesthetically pleasing, yet functional homes that exceed client expectations.  

Throughout 2024, Shelter has dealt with tremendous challenges and heartbreak, both from a professional and personal perspective. The sudden, unexpected passing of Ryan Butler, Shelter’s founder, in March 2024, sent shockwaves through the business, eventually leading to Ryan’s wife, Jenny, taking a leading position alongside Ryan’s former colleague, James Huffman, who joined Shelter as the Director of Construction.

Throughout this emotionally challenging time, Shelter has continued to offer seamless service and execution for its clients. We speak with Jenny and James to learn more about Ryan’s vision and background, as well as how they plan to continue Ryan’s legacy moving forward.  

Supporting growth 

“Shelter was founded in 2013 by my husband, Ryan, a second-generation custom homebuilder who so passionately followed in his father’s footsteps,” Jenny begins. “Ryan started working for his father’s business during school, which is where his love for custom building began. He received his construction management degree from Bowling Green State University and rather than return to his father’s company, he decided to gain wider experience with national homebuilder, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods.  

“It was at John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods that Ryan rose through the ranks, starting at the bottom and working his way up to Vice President of Construction the company in 2004 and was promoted from Atlanta GA to Charleston SC. It’s also where he met James, as the pair worked together for several years. Ryan always knew that he was destined to start his own company based on a seamless, straightforward approach to homebuilding, and all the cards and timing aligned for him to kickstart Shelter in 2013.” 

Sharing his perspective on this time, James says: “John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods  instilled great values in both Ryan and I, but when Ryan left the company to start Shelter, I relocated to the Charleston area to take his role. I watched his projects springing up in complete admiration; his homes were astounding with attention to detail like no other builder in the market, and I couldn’t get my head around how he was creating such projects with a similar supplier and trade base to mine.  

“The opportunity to join Shelter was, of course, bittersweet. Like many people in this industry, I was devastated to hear about Ryan’s passing, and I reached out to Jenny and the family to offer my help and support, and although I had admired Shelter’s projects for several years, I had no intention of joining the business.  

“Shelter has an excellent, dedicated team who bring confidence and a great deal of pride to every project,” he continues. “We operate collaboratively to find solutions for our clients. We host weekly meetings with the entire group where we talk through each project, any concerns, and more importantly, consider future plans and ensure we keep projects on task and within budget. I see my role as supporting the company’s growth, and I am honored to continue the legacy of higher-end luxury homebuilding experiences that Ryan has established in this market.” 

Jenny confirms: “We’re dedicated to honoring Ryan’s legacy and continuing with his values, dreams, and vision for the business. While Ryan was the face of the business, we have an incredibly talented, educated and determined team to drive Shelter forward, which has been solidified by James coming on board.”  

Contemporary and clean 

Turning to projects and capabilities, Jenny explains: “While we’re primarily builders, we also assist with design selections. Our team is extremely talented and boasts the expertise to complete any type or style of home for a wide range of clients, but we do often lean towards modern styles. We love technology and aim to be a trendsetter in our area, avidly following the introduction of new products or technologies to see how we can integrate them into our projects. 

“We love researching new concepts and designs, especially through traveling and attending trade shows,” she shares. “Where other builders may turn away from unusual requests is where we excel, as we strive to figure out a solution to any request; we’re not afraid to go outside the box to find resources that help us to accomplish an objective. We’re passionate about being trend setters, staying ahead of the curve and trying out new processes, materials, or technologies.” 

“When it comes to design,” James adds, “we spend time with our clients to understand their style and preferences. Many of our clients gravitate towards Shelter because they like our previous projects, many of which feature a contemporary, clean look. We leverage our relationships with architects and designers to explore different tastes and styles, working collaboratively with the client to find their preferred style.” 

Jenny continues: “We’re close to completing a large contemporary home, which is the largest and most detail-oriented project we’ve ever been involved with. Alongside a bespoke lighting and technology package, we visited Italy to select blocks of marble for the walls, the 20-foot pivot doors, and the headboard walls and fireplace. Everything about this project was done with thoughtful consideration, from the process and selections to the landscaping, which includes multiple sports courts, koi ponds, floating staircases, and a meditation deck. It is truly a one-of-a-kind project that this market has never seen.”  

Looking to the future 

As our conversation ends, Jenny and James reflect on a tremendously difficult year for the business and share their hopes for 2025 and beyond. “There’s no doubt that 2024 was a tough year for Shelter both personally and professionally,” says James. “However, we are grateful for the opportunities we’ve had and the market dynamics here in Charleston are exciting for us.  

“We’re optimistic that 2025 will be a great year as we continue to grow and invest in speculative builds alongside our custom projects,” James concludes. “Our long-term vision for the business is constantly evolving, so as we establish our plans, we will remain nimble to pivot and react to market developments, style trends, or customer requirements.”   

www.sheltercustombuiltliving.com