SAVANNAH ARCHITECTURE: BUYING INTO THE PAST

WORDS ROD O’CONNOR

Savannah is world renowned for the beauty of its architecture, which stands as a testament to its colorful history. But the city is far from being just a museum, and recent developments and renovations make it possible to buy a piece of its history.

Since its founding in 1733 by Englishman James Oglethorpe, the “Belle of Georgia” has enchanted visitors with its architectural beauty and unique city plan, featuring more than 20 lush squares. Today, thanks to the efforts of the Historic Savannah Foundation and the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Savannah boasts the nation’s largest registered urban Historic Landmark District, with 1,600-plus restored structures all within 2.5 square miles. For those seeking their very own piece of this beautifully preserved Southern gem, downtown Savannah offers a surprisingly diverse array of options.

Located on the mouth of the Savannah River on the border between Georgia and South Carolina, this community of approximately 300,000 is currently romancing buyers from all over the world. Many visited Savannah and fell in love with the cobblestone streets and Spanish moss. Others are savvy investors hoping to get in while they still can. But all cherish the laidback attitude and romanticism that has come to define Savannah.

“Savannah is no longer the best-kept secret of the South,” says Stephanie Wilson-Evans of Cora Bett Thomas Realty (www.corabettthomas.com). “We’ve become a more cosmopolitan city, and people are really embracing all we have to offer—but we’re still the best buy on the East Coast.”

According to Wilson-Evans, the Historic District still delivers plenty for prospective buyers, with property listings ranging from $250,000 condos to $3.75-million homes. “You’ve got expansive brick homes with side gardens and carriage houses, and smaller row or town homes and fabulous condos,” she says.

And the best part is, you can walk everywhere— to restaurants, bars, concerts in Forsyth Park and festivals down on River Street.

Much of what’s made Savannah’s real estate market so hot can be attributed to SCAD, the private art college that began modestly in 1978 and now has an enrollment of more than 7,000. In August, Newsweek magazine named SCAD the country’s hottest school for studying art.

A longtime proponent of historic renovation, the college purchased the Savannah Volunteer Guard Armory, an 1892 structure now called Poetter Hall, in 1979. In the years since, SCAD has rescued and revived several buildings around town, but its impact has gone far beyond restoration, adding a diverse culture and youthful energy to Savannah’s Southern charm. Now, SCAD-sponsored events such as the annual Savannah Film Festival (running through November 5) bring more visitors to town and serve as another source of local pride.

For Joel Snayd, 32, who quit an advertising job in New York City in 2003 to pursue a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation at SCAD, his recent purchase of a 2,800-square-foot home on West Jones Street was a natural progression. The property, built in 1851, stands on the quintessential Savannah avenue across from the legendary Mrs Wilkes’ Dining Room, a lunchtime institution known for its home-style cooking.

“We came to Savannah with the intention of going to school but also wanted a piece of what Savannah represented,” says Snayd, who lives with his wife Erika, who works for ad agency DDB Worldwide.

The Snayds were lucky enough to find a historic single-family home for under $1 million, a rarity in that area. An initial investment of around $10,000 was necessary to fix neglected floors and preserve some of the original elements, but the process is obviously a labor of love for the couple. This stretch of Jones Street is zoned for commercial use, and they are considering opening a showroom to accompany their burgeoning interior design and historic preservation businessAnd with a key location in the high traffic Design District, featuring plenty of up-and-coming artists and antique dealers, it’s a perfect fit.

Not far from Jones Street is the Gardens District, a formerly run-down industrial area that is now the epicenter of a new construction boom that gives Savannah buyers another option when it comes to Historic District living.

Led by developer Nic Applegate of Applegate Evolutions (www.applegate-evolutions.com), the Gardens District is pushing the envelope by Savannah standards, offering condos, town homes and other new residences that skillfully combine the characteristic elements of the city’s historic structures with modern accents and amenities.

A former military helicopter pilot, Applegate first fell in love with Savannah while stationed here 13 years ago. For over two years, he and several investors have been demolishing old garages and other dilapidated buildings to create communities such as Jones Square—a structure with 20 condo units, four penthouses, an indoor pool, fitness center and underground parking, with interiors that rival anything you’d find in New York City.

“From the exterior, you’d look at this brick and say this building was 100 years old,” says Applegate, while giving a tour. “That’s what we try and accomplish; from the exterior you have this very historic looking building, but when you get inside, you can do anything from traditional to contemporary.

“It’s a matter of preference between a historic property and new construction,” explains Snayd. “With a historic property, some people consider it an expense because there’s constant upkeep. But I wanted to buy a piece of history.”

With one of the most exciting architectural landscapes in the country, it’s no wonder that so many investors and home buyers have flocked to this charming city.

AirTran Airways provides daily, low-fare flights to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Visit www.airtran.com for more details.