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Historic Savannah Foundation, 321 E York Street, Savannah, GA (2026)

05/29/2026

Congratulations to the 2205 – 2207 MLK Jr. Development Project, winner of the President’s Choice Award! This special Preservation Award is only granted to projects that exhibit not only superior preservation practices, but impact on the community and expanding preservation’s reach. This project served as a catalyst for nearby preservation work and continues to serve as a model for a preservation minded approach to address property maintenance and blight. It also added four more dwelling units to help combat Savannah’s housing shortage.

This project involved two adjacent underutilized properties located along MLK Jr. Blvd. in the Cuyler-Brownville National Register Historic District. Both properties were developed c. 1902 and shared a similar architectural style. The 2-story Neoclassical Revival style with side-hall dwelling at 2205 was first occupied by A.J. and Effie Thorpe, and was home to tenants and owners over the years. Changes and alterations occurred with the infilling of a rear porch and various alterations to interior spaces, and the property had sat vacant for several years; during this time the 2nd floor caught fire.

When the properties were purchased from HSF’s Revolving Fund the principal dwelling at 2205 was the only historic structure remaining along the block. It was carefully rehabilitated, and a new accessory dwelling was built behind it along the lane. At 2207 a new principal and accessory dwelling were constructed which honored the architectural legacy of the demolished buildings.

Civis Savannah purchased both properties to develop, and the project team was headed by Ward Architecture + Preservation and The Basin Company with partnership from Community Housing Services Agency, Inc.-CHSA. The team overcame considerable challenges. 2205 was suffering from a lack of maintenance leading to disrepair and rot. The fire damage of the 2nd floor ceiling and roof framing necessitated a substantial amount of reframing. Being open to the environment caused significant water damage to interior features, walls and floors. Most of the wood double-hung windows had been removed or badly deteriorated. No plumbing or electrical fixtures remained and had to be replaced.

Exterior modifications included installing a new asphalt shingle roof. The standing seam metal porch roof was maintained and repaired. All wood siding and trim was repaired and replaced where missing. Missing window trim was installed to match the existing in kind. The front entry received a new door, and new wood stairs were installed at the front and side porches.

The design for the new construction at 2207 was inspired both by the historic documentation of the previous structure and by the existing height, mass, scale, and materials of 2205.

The design of the two new accessory dwellings for both 2205 and 2207 is indicative of the historic building type found throughout the district. The exterior materials and detailing are more contemporary than the principal dwelling units but exist in harmony with the surrounding architecture.

The project’s high visibility along MLK Jr. Blvd. has had a positive effect on the appearance of the block and neighborhood, reclaiming a section of the street that had experienced significant demolition. Ultimately, this project’s combination of historic rehabilitation and compatible new design revitalized a block in Cuyler-Brownville, added housing, and shows the impact that preservation has in our community.

05/28/2026

Join HSF for a special panel discussion, “Yamacraw Village: History, Community, and Continuity” on Thursday, June 18 at Historic First Bryan Baptist Church. Panelists will include David Sunshine Hamburger of Georgia Legal Services Program, Inc., Shana Williams from the Yamacraw Village Residents Council, Ellie Isaacs of Landmark Preservation Consulting, and Georgia Benton, Historian for First Bryan Baptist Church. The panel will be moderated by Collier Neeley, HSF’s CEO & President.

This panel will examine the rich history of the Yamacraw community, from its 18th-, 19th-, and early 20th-century roots to the demolition of the multicultural neighborhood in 1939 and its development into a segregated public housing complex in 1941.

Yamacraw Village holds deep historical importance for Savannah, reflecting national trends in urban planning and public housing, as well as their impact on underrepresented communities. As the oldest federally funded housing project remaining in Savannah, and one of the earliest remaining in the United States, it’s current planned demolition and redevelopment raises urgent questions about how public housing communities are preserved.

The discussion will also highlight First Bryan Baptist Church, established in 1788 by Andew Bryan while he was enslaved at Brampton Planation. Recognized as one of the oldest Black Baptist Churches in the United States, First Bryan serves as the spiritual and community anchor in Yamacraw. Its enduring connection to the neighborhood is essential to understanding the history of Yamacraw. This panel will examine the importance of preserving history, a sense of place, faith, and community.

This panel is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged; pre-registration is available by visiting www..myhsf.org/events/lecture-series/. The discussion will take place in the Sanctuary at First Bryan Baptist Church located at 575 W. Bryan Street. Doors open 5:30 pm and the panel discussion will start at 6:00 pm.

05/27/2026

Our next Preservation Award winner stands out for excellence in rehabilitation - the Municipal Grand! This project focused on the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the 1961 First Federal Savings & Loan Association Headquarters, designed by Savannah architects Levy & Kiley. Originally constructed as a mid-century modern banking institution, the six-story building later served for decades as the Broughton Municipal Building before being transformed into a 44-key boutique hotel.

The project was completed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and utilized both state and federal historic Tax Credits.. The building was unanimously approved for listing in the Georgia Register of Historic Places and recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The team included owners Midnight Auteur, architects Lynch Associates Architects, PC, contractor Choate Construction Company, interior designer AAmp, Tharpe Engineering Group, Method Engineering Group, Coastal Civil Engineering, Ward Architecture and Preservation, lighting Consultant AE Design, and acoustical consultant D.L. Adams Associates.

After decades of municipal use, much of the building’s original mid-century character had been obscured by later alterations. Vinyl flooring covered terrazzo, tile was concealed, and the formerly open banking floors were subdivided. The interior work emphasized removal of non-historic alterations to restore original lobby, mezzanine, and finishes. Original blue tile, terrazzo floors, polished terrazzo wall panels, wood veneer wall panels, storefront vestibules, planters, and pendant fixtures were all character defining features that were restored. Historic teller stations were salvaged and reintegrated into the new lobby. Glass guardrails were introduced to meet code while allowing the original stainless steel railing to remain visually prominent. The original vault was preserved and former basement mechanical areas were adapted into a speakeasy bar. The upper floors, which historically consisted of open office layouts with limited historic fabric remaining, were reconfigured for guestrooms.

Exterior alterations were intentionally limited. Former mechanical spaces were converted into guestrooms and aluminum storefront windows were replaced within historic openings. A rooftop pool was added but coordinated so it would not be visible from public rights-of-way. The polished concrete cladding, concrete brise-soleil frames, and ceramic tile were restored. Original canopy lights were re-lamped and storefront glazing along Broughton Street was restored where previous alterations had removed glass for an ATM. Salvaged blue mosaic tiles from the City Hall restoration were used for in-kind repairs throughout the building.

Municipal Grand demonstrates that mid-century modern architecture in Savannah can be rehabilitated with the same rigor and care afforded to earlier historic resources. Through adherence to preservation standards, use of historic tax incentives, and restrained intervention, the project returns a significant civic landmark to active use while preserving an important chapter in the city’s architectural history.

05/24/2026

The Davenport House Museum and Historic Kennedy Pharmacy will be closed on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day 🇺🇸

With gratitude and respect, we remember the fallen today. Thank you to all those who have sacrificed in service of our country.

Wishing our community a safe and peaceful holiday.

05/22/2026

Our next Preservation Award winner highlight is one of our city's most recognizable features - the Forsyth Park Fountain! This historic fountain is beloved by visitors and locals alike, and its recent restoration demonstrates Excellence in Stewardship for this iconic piece of Savannah's story.

Forsyth Park was established in 1851 as a central park dedicated to public use. The park was well received by the community and quickly became known for its design of landscape architecture and urban planning throughout the country. However, citizens recognized the park lacked one thing – a fountain. In 1858, the City of Savannah agreed to move forward with the design of the Forsyth Park Fountain. The cast iron fountain came from the historically significant iron foundry Janes, Beebe & Co. and, after its installation, the classically inspired fountain quickly became the iconic jewel of the park.

Last year, the City of Savannah Government commissioned a full restoration of the Fountain, which was carried out between May and November of 2025. Landmark Preservation with collaboration of Robinson Iron Corporation, Pineapple Fountain, Pool & Spa, and Integrated Power Connections LLC led the project. The restoration scope was all encompassing, and included restoration of the cast iron fountain itself, the surrounding swans and tritons within the basin, the basin’s lining and masonry cap, and the replacement of the internal plumbing mechanisms. Many of the historic elements on the fountain had become diminished in their relief and detailing due to yearly repainting which had taken place for several decades. Rust and oxidation were present on the fountain’s cast iron and decorative elements, and upon close inspection, several decorative ironwork elements were discovered missing or beyond repair. After careful assessment and analysis of what would be required to fully restore the fountain in such a way that was mindful of its historic nature, it was determined that that it would be necessary to fully disassemble the fountain so that restoration efforts could be conducted within a controlled environment.

As a team, Landmark Preservation and Robinson Iron fully disassembled the fountain, the lady statue on top, the four urns around the fountain’s base, as well as the four swans and four tritons located within the basin. All of the cast iron elements were then carefully stripped, repaired, and primed. Elements which were either missing or beyond repair were recast by Robinson Iron. After all of the fountain’s ironwork had been restored, the project team carefully reassembled the fountain. New plumbing and nozzles for the fountain, tritons and swans were installed in tandem, and working hand and hand with the City, the spray pattern for each of the components was restored to a more historically accurate pattern. In addition to the cast iron, the fountain’s basin also received much needed repairs. A new waterproof coating was installed within the basin, and restoration to the masonry cap was also carefully carried out.

All work was performed within the guidelines established by the Secretary of Interior Standards for Historic Preservation and subscribed to the Code of Ethic of the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic Works. Repairs were matched to the existing materials in color, texture, compressive strength, and profile/design as accurately as possible, and where replacement was absolutely necessary due to detrimental failure, original casts were utilized and in-kind materials were used.

In just over 6 months of dedicated work, Landmark Preservation completed a full restoration of the fountain and, in doing so, succeeded in preserving one of Savannah’s most iconic landmarks for future generations.

05/20/2026

Our next Preservation Award winner celebrates the rehabilitation of the Emma Hamlet House at 705 Barnard Street! This project is significant for returning a severely deteriorated, long-vacant contributing building in Savannah’s Landmark Historic District to productive use while retaining historic integrity, restoring lost architectural features, and meeting modern needs.

The home was built in 1856 by carpenter, builder, and prominent civic leader John Hamlet, and recorded the property under his wife's name, Emma. The structure is a stucco-ed masonry townhouse and experienced continued architectural evolution; Hamlet completed a major 1883 rear addition; by the 1888 Sanborn map, the original three-story side-hall house with its large rear addition was established. By 1898, the rear addition had been raised to a full three stories, and by 1900 the house had shifted from single-family to multi-unit occupancy. Around 1916, it underwent a Greek Revival-style modernization when the addition of a one-story porch with a basement was erected, becoming part of the building’s historic identity.

Led by Ethos Preservation in close coordination with Kevin Rose of Rose Architects and contractor John Larroude, the building’s rehabilitation demonstrates significant collaboration. Exterior work included repair of scored stucco, repointing of exposed masonry, and sistering joists rather than replacing them. The project emphasized conservation, and historic fabric retained include refinished floors, preserved doors, trim, mantels, and stairs.

The porch was reconstructed to its documented appearance using historic photographs, and major deterioration was overcome, with the project team addressing severe vacancy-related damage, roof failure, water intrusion, missing windows, tight site constraints, and lack of rear access.

The home's rehabilitation was executed according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and utilized historic tax credits. The project returned a deteriorated landmark property to productive use, restoring three residential units.

The rehabilitation of the Emma Hamlet House reestablished this townhouse as a significant part of Savannah’s historic streetscape, ensuring it remains a visible, living part of Savannah’s story while meeting present-day community needs.

05/18/2026

We are so excited to celebrate The Streamliner Diner as a recipient of our Excellence in Preservation Award!

The Streamliner Diner, located at 120 W Henry Street, is a rare example of a Worcester Streamliner Diner car. It was originally manufactured in 1938 and later relocated to Savannah, where it became a distinctive architectural landmark and community gathering place. With its characteristic Art Moderne style, curved stainless-steel exterior, mahogany booths, and marble counters, the diner represents a unique chapter in Savannah’s cultural and architectural history.

After a devastating fire in February 2025 threatened its future, a dedicated team came together to restore this special place. The smokehouse was reconstructed to match the original configuration with improved structural performance. The Streamliner also underwent a full interior restoration with modernized life-safety, mechanical, and electrical systems. The most challenging aspect of the project was the roof reconstruction which required specialized craftsmanship, custom metal bending, and close coordination between trades.

The Streamliner Diner Rehabilitation transformed a catastrophic loss into an opportunity to safeguard a beloved historic structure. Through skilled craftsmanship, adaptive problem-solving, and adherence to preservation standards, the project restored the diner’s character, improved safety and functionality, and ensured its continued role as a vibrant part of Savannah’s historic landscape for generations to come.

Congratulations to the team, Lynch Associates Architects, JTVS Builders, Tharpe Engineering Group, Method Engineering, and SCAD for their outstanding work in preserving this unique landmark!

05/15/2026

Please join HSF for our special Preservation Month lecture next Thursday at 5:00 PM!

We are delighted to welcome Kim Trent, the CEO for National Preservation Partners Network for her lecture, "Saving the Past, Building the Future: Nonprofit-Led Historic Property Redevelopment."

This presentation will explore how nonprofit historic preservation organizations are transforming neglected and deteriorating historic properties into vibrant community assets. From adaptive reuse of industrial landmarks to the rehabilitation of historic main street storefronts and affordable housing in century-old buildings, these programs balance the imperatives of cultural stewardship with practical community development.

Drawing on case studies from across the country, Kim Trent will examine the financing tools, public-private partnerships, and community engagement strategies that make these projects succeed — and the lasting economic, social, and architectural benefits they deliver to the communities they serve.

This lecture will take place on Thursday, May 21st at the Murray C. Perlman and Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center located at 323 E. Broughton Street. Doors open at 5:00 PM and the lecture will begin at 5:30 PM. Admission is free for HSF members and $15 for non-members. Space is limited; both members and non-members may reserve their spot by visiting https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/davenporthousemuseum/items/713649/calendar/2026/05/?flow=1241541&full-items=yes

05/15/2026

We are thrilled to recognize the Espy-Egan Cottage as a recipient of our Excellence in Preservation Award! The Espy-Egan Cottage, located at 5 7th on Tybee Island was constructed c1934 during the coastal resort and tourism boom on the island. It was built for a prominent Savannahian, Carl Espy Sr., and his family.

It survives as an intact example of a Raised Tybee Cottage, a unique and characteristic building type along coastal Georgia that reflected the local environment and available materials.

This cottage’s historic integrity is well preserved, having undergone very few alterations since its construction. It is noteworthy to point out the excellent stewardship of the building over its life as this building is not within a locally designated historic district. In other words, there are no restrictions for demolition or historically incompatible alterations for this property.

The building, suffering from water damage due to its proximity to the coast and low elevation, was relocated to a higher part of the lot. A new foundation was poured at a higher level to further protect the building, while maintaining a historically compatible height. These interventions reflect how historic preservation can respond to climate change and create resiliency for the future.

In addition, the iconic wrap-around porch was restored, and original materials were preserved such as the wood walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows. They also removed non-historic alterations like the entrance along 7th street, the porch infill, and jalousie windows.

This rehabilitation was so successful that it was recognized by the National Park Service and will serve as an example of coastal resilience and flood adaptation for rehabilitating historic buildings in their publications and presentations. All in all, this building represents an excellent example of historic preservation while maintaining resiliency and preparedness for the future.

Congratulations to the Watts Family, Ward Architecture + Preservation, Neal Contracting Company, and Waters Construction and Concrete.

05/13/2026

We are honored to celebrate the Lucas Theatre for the Arts, located at 32 Abercorn Street, as a recipient of our Excellence in Preservation Award this year!

The Lucas is located in Savannah's Historic Landmark District and was designed by architect, Claude K. Howell in the 1920s. It was officially opened on December 26, 1921 and was described as the "Jewel of Savannah."

The Lucas remained open for 55 years until closing its doors in 1976. In 1987, the theatre was slated for demolition to make way for a parking garage. The theatre was luckily saved from demolition by preservation advocates and reopened in 2000. In 2002 the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) purchased the building and remains the current steward of the Lucas.

Recent restoration efforts by Landmark Preservation included the restoration and refinishing of plaster, paint, and gilding throughout the theater's auditorium, balcony and lobby.

Artisans spent hours gently hand scraping layers of inappropriate paint throughout the theatre, and recast plaster elements using traditional methods, which made their tight timeline for the restoration even more impressive- they brought the theatre back to life in under three months!

Today, thanks to the restoration efforts of Landmark Preservation, the Lucas remains an anchor for the community, an icon within Savannah's art and entertainment culture, and a model for excellence in preservation. Congratulations!

Historic Savannah Foundation

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