Savannah A Growing Romantic City

Savannah is really starting to grow and take on a new shape, with its ‘downtown’ boundaries and neighboring residential areas expanding. Historic Savannah, the hostess of the south, had a good year in the press (see below) setting the city up for some great continued success. According to SEDA’s 2014 business outlook 'Savannah’s long-term growth prospects are among the best in the nation. Savannah's unique ambiance and transportation infrastructure make it both an attractive place to live and do business.’ We are definitely seeing signs of that growth already.

In 2013 Savannah received the following recognition:

• One of the "Top Ten Romantic Cities" – Livability.com, February 2013,
• "Best City for Affordable Getaway" –Travel + Leisure, May 2013,
• "Best Romantic City" –AAA Southern Traveler, August 2013,
• "America’s #1 Most Charming Accent" – Travel + Leisure, April 2013,
• "Top 50 Destination for Labor Day" - TravelersToday.com, August 2013,
• "Tybee Island: Top Family Friendly Beach Town" –TravelNerd.com, June 2013, and
• "America’s Top 10 Waterfronts" –USA Today, May 2013. 

This Thursday Tanger Factory Outlet Centers confirmed that they plan to develop Tanger Outlets Savannah in partnership with Atlanta development firm Ben Carter Enterprises. Pooler’s outlet mall is the sight of the new partnership and will have approximately 400,000 square feet of leasable space.  “We are very pleased to add Tanger Outlets Savannah to our existing portfolio of successful resort and destination properties,” said Steven Tanger, CEO of Tanger Factory Outlets. “Our joint venture with Ben Carter Enterprises in the Savannah market is a strategic move to help us deliver a world class outlet experience to this thriving Southern market.”

Also new to Savannah is Bruster’s real Ice Cream which opened a store in Victory Station, where Whole Foods, Chipolte and Zoe’s Kitchen also just opened. All are new to the Savannah market, and so far have been real received. The Whole Foods effect which I wrote about in July is taking place as the shopping plaza Victory Crossings across the street from Whole Foods is expanding. Whole Foods’ apparent success in Savannah is a clear signal to other corporations that Savannah might be a more promising location than previously thought.

In the downtown area we have two new hotels expanding the boundaries of the walkable downtown area. The new Embassy Suites Savannah is open at 605 W. Oglethorpe Ave. The hotel boasts 150 rooms and its own parking garage. A significant new entry in downtown’s inventory of hotels. Later this year, opening in May, will be the renovated Mulberry Inn, renamed The Brice, which was purchased by the Kimpton Hotel Group. 

SCAD students will also be benefiting from our growth. One West Victory Square, a student apartment/retail complex at Victory and Bull streets, will also be home to an Italian-inspired eatery called The Florence.  The Florence will measure 7,000 square feet spread over two floors and will occupy the yellow-brick building being preserved on the site. The restaurant with a bar and patio will of course be open to local residents as well. For One West Victory Square the location of a neighboring burgeoning artistic community the shopping, eateries and entertainment venues are plentiful. Located in the Starland Art district students will have full access to a thriving art scene, and is sure to add a boost to local business.

And just in case you weren’t sure of Savannah’s growth, Jet blue comes to Savannah/Hilton Head airport, with flights to JFK and Boston starting Feb. 13.