By Teresa Cowart Team
We spend a lot of time walking clients through homes that span nearly two centuries of building styles, and Savannah's architecture is one of the things people fall in love with before they even think about buying. From Federal-style homes near the squares to brand-new construction out in Pooler, the range here is genuinely wide. Here's a look at the local architecture that makes Savannah's housing stock so distinct.
Key Takeaways
- Savannah's historic squares showcase Federal, Georgian, and Greek Revival architecture
- The city has its own historic building material, known as Savannah Gray Brick
- The Victorian Historic District adds a completely different architectural character
- New construction in areas like Pooler and Richmond Hill offers a modern contrast
The Historic Styles That Define Savannah's Squares
Savannah's squares are lined with some of the best-preserved examples of early American architecture in the country, much of it dating back to the 1800s. The Isaiah Davenport House, built in 1820, is one of the finest examples of Federal-style architecture on the East Coast, with its symmetrical brick facade and curved entryway. Just a short walk away, The Olde Pink House showcases Georgian architecture, with its archways, flanking pilasters, and distinctive brickwork, and it's worth a look even if you only see it from the sidewalk.
Styles Worth Recognizing Around the Squares
- Federal style, known for symmetry, brick facades, and curved entryways
- Georgian style, marked by archways, quoins, and hipped roofs
- Greek Revival, seen in homes with tall columns and formal proportions
- Simple, restrained detailing rather than heavy ornamentation
Savannah Gray Brick and the City's Distinct Building Material
Many of Savannah's oldest structures share a material found almost nowhere else, known as Savannah Gray Brick. It was made from gray river clay near the Savannah River, and its distinct, textured look sets Savannah's older buildings apart from brick architecture found elsewhere in the South. Buyers looking at historic homes will often see this brick in garden walls, foundations, and facades throughout the Historic District, sometimes with small plants growing directly out of it.
Where to Spot Savannah Gray Brick
- Garden walls and courtyard enclosures throughout the Historic District
- Foundations of homes that were later raised or expanded
- Facades of some of the city's oldest surviving structures
- Occasional plant growth in the brick itself, since the material is naturally porous
Victorian Flourishes in the Victorian Historic District
Just beyond the original colonial squares, Savannah's Victorian Historic District offers a completely different architectural character, dating to the 1870s. Homes here favor asymmetrical layouts, colored glass windows, and decorative millwork that Federal and Georgian homes largely avoid. It's a favorite area for buyers drawn to more expressive, hands-on-the-details architecture.
What Sets Victorian Homes Apart Here
- Decorative wood trim and turned porch details
- Colored glass panels set into windows and doorways
- A later construction period than the colonial-era squares
- A distinct, more residential character compared to downtown's civic architecture
Where Modern Architecture Meets Savannah's Historic Bones
Savannah still finds ways to blend its historic character with genuinely modern architecture rather than treating the two as separate categories. The SCAD Museum of Art is a strong example, incorporating the brick ruins of a historic railroad depot into a modern precast concrete and glass structure. That same instinct, respecting what's original while building something new around it, shows up in smaller residential renovations throughout the Historic District as well.
How Old and New Come Together Here
- Modern additions built around preserved historic facades or walls
- Glass and steel elements paired with original brick or masonry
- Renovations that keep a home's historic footprint while updating the interior
- New builds designed to echo historic proportions without directly copying them
New Construction in Pooler, Richmond Hill, and Beyond
For buyers who want modern construction without the maintenance considerations of a historic home, areas like Pooler and Richmond Hill offer that contrast just outside the city. Communities like Heathrow and Buckhead in Richmond Hill, or newer developments like Alexander Farms in Guyton, reflect current building standards and layouts rather than historic preservation requirements. It's a genuinely different buying experience from shopping for a home in the Historic District, and one that appeals to buyers who want less upkeep and more flexibility to renovate down the road.
What New Construction Offers by Comparison
- Modern systems and layouts without historic preservation restrictions
- Open floor plans that differ significantly from older, room-divided homes
- Communities built around current lifestyle expectations, like garages and yards
- A more straightforward renovation and permitting process down the road
FAQs
Do historic homes in Savannah have building restrictions we should know about?
Yes, and we walk every buyer through this before they fall in love with a specific house. Homes in the Historic District often have preservation guidelines that affect what exterior changes are allowed.
Is Savannah Gray Brick still used in new construction?
We tell buyers it's rarely used in new builds, since it's a historic material tied to specific older structures. You'll mostly see it preserved in existing walls, foundations, and facades rather than used for new work.
Should we look at historic or new construction homes first?
That really depends on what you're looking for. We usually ask clients whether they're drawn to character and history or modern systems and simplicity, since that answer tends to point toward one part of the market pretty quickly.
Contact Teresa Cowart Team Today
Savannah's architecture is part of what makes this such a special place to own a home, whether that's a Federal-style house near the squares or new construction out in Richmond Hill. We're happy to walk you through what makes each style and area distinct.
Reach out to Teresa Cowart Team, and let's find the Savannah architecture that fits what you're looking for.
Reach out to Teresa Cowart Team, and let's find the Savannah architecture that fits what you're looking for.
