Savannah: A Southern Urban Anomaly

Article and urban photo tour by Ennis Davis, AICP

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

Founded in 1978, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has become a major influence on the revitalization of the city’s core. Working with the city of Savannah over the years, the college campus contains as many as 67 restored building spread throughout the city’s core. In essence, the historic district has become the main campus for SCAD’s 12,000 students.

Ellis Square

Ellis Square was demolished to make room for a public parking garage in 1954. In that late 2000s, the garage was demolished, rebuilt as an underground facility and the square was fully restored. The project cost the city around $21.4 million. Since that time, adjacent properties have been converted into office, residential, hotel and retail use.