When I moved to Savannah in 1995, I did not appreciate Drayton Tower’s presence in the downtown architectural landscape. I was very much in the “that doesn’t fit in” camp.
But the old building grew on me, especially after I started visiting friends in the small apartments, some of which had grand views of the city.
By the time I was writing this column, I especially appreciated the economic vibrancy spawned by those 188 apartments, and I grew to appreciate the achievements of the modern architects of the mid-20th century who didn’t want the city to be a slave to its past.
We have some remarkable mid-century modern buildings in Savannah. Those structures have gotten much more attention in recent years, but they deserve even more.
As the real estate bubble was inflating, Drayton Tower seemed primed for condo conversions, but the efforts were not a success. As recently as a few years ago, Drayton Tower was in pretty sorry shape. Some windows were gone, the exterior was grimy and the building was largely unoccupied.
Some local cynics — and we seem to have more than our fair share around here, huh? — were convinced the 1951 building was beyond repair. Another sign of a fading city.
Enter Flank Inc., who paid just $3.8 million for the building. Flank converted Drayton Tower into relatively pricey apartments and buffed up the exterior.
A few weeks ago, Flank announced plans for a hotel on the parking lots just north of the iconic apartment building.
I’m sure the hotel will be a huge hit. A brand new hotel with 21st century amenities right smack in the middle of the Historic District? That has success written all over it.
But wouldn’t another relatively dense apartment building be even better for the city?
Yes, it would. The proliferation of hotels has been tipping
the balance of the downtown economy.
The increasing economic reliance on tourism is impacting everything from decisions by small business owners to public policy. If we want to change the dynamic, we need to incentivize high density residential construction and disincentivize hotel construction in historic neighborhoods.
None of this is a knock against Flank, by the way. I admire the work the company has done with Drayton Tower, and I have no doubt the planned hotel will be extremely popular with tourists and other overnight visitors.
Designs for the proposed Perry Lane Hotel were presented recently to Savannah City Council. Flank’s presentation included images of several projects around the country — bold, beautiful buildings of different styles and vintages.
By contrast, the digital renderings of The Perry Lane Hotel suggest an attempt not to offend.
The hotel will consist of two buildings separated by Perry Street. The complex is bounded by Drayton Street, McDonough Street, Floyd Street and Perry Lane.
There will be one large level of underground parking, which will obviously entail the closure of Perry Street during construction, but that’s not a big deal in the long run.
The planned buildings will have six stories, but the top floor is partially recessed, so from the sidewalk, the buildings will appear to be about 60 feet tall — markedly shorter than Drayton Tower and the lovely old DeRenne apartment building.
So far so good. The plans respect Savannah’s famed street grid, provide for underground parking and will eliminate off-street surface parking, which is a poor use of space in an urban setting.
The plans also suggest a good understanding of the need for street-level vibrancy. A restaurant and bar in the north building will have windows facing Perry, Drayton and McDonough streets. Let’s hope there will be entrances to the restaurant that don’t force patrons to go through the hotel lobby.
A coffee bar is slated for the corner of Perry and Floyd streets.
But the overall effect, at least in the drawings shown to City Council, is fairly plain. The guest room windows seem designed to de-emphasize the height of the buildings, and the yellowish color of the exterior seems like an odd choice.
There is nothing in the design to suggest architectural kinship with Drayton Tower, which will look even more daring and bold with a nondescript hotel next door.
Yes, there would likely be resistance if Flank planned a more striking building for the site, but the fight would almost certainly be worth it.
City Talk appears every Tuesday and Sunday. Bill Dawers can be reached via billdawers@comcast.net. Send mail to 10 East 32nd St., Savannah, Ga. 31401.
By Bill Dawers