By Eric Curl
Sept. 14, 2022 update – The Historic District Board of Review approved the design details of the 4-story parking garage on Sept. 14, following approval of the current building’s demolition and new building’s height and mass on Aug. 10.
Aug. 5, 2022 update – Staff is recommending approval of the project, with conditions, after consideration of the plan was postponed by the review board on July 13 to the Aug. 10 meeting.
July, 11 2022 – The new owner of a 1960s-era building at 302 East Oglethorpe is planning to demolish the 1-story structure and construct a 4-story apartment building at the downtown Savannah site.
The proposed apartment building going before the Historic District Board of Review (HDBR) Wednesday would include 12 units with 10 onsite parking spaces and two spaces for mopeds, according to the project description submitted by the architect, J. Elder Studio. The west side of the building appears to have five stories; however, it contains a mezzanine within the roof and not a fifth floor.
Wesley Chapel Partners, LLC., which lists its address as 24 E. 50th St. and it’s registered agent as Jonah Paul Sachar, purchased the property for $1.9 million in January from Gregory V. Sapp, the Chief Judge of Chatham County State Court, according to sales records.
The building was severely altered in 1976 after being constructed in the early 1960s and used as an automobile glass and sliding-glass-door shop at the time, according to the staff report. The building was more recently used as law offices.
Prior to the current building, the site contained the 1812 Wesley Chapel: Savannah Methodism’s first church building. A Georgia Historical Society marker recognizing the church is posted outside the building.
HDBR staff is recommending approval of the construction project with conditions. In addition, the the applicant would be required to document the existing structure via photographs and building plans if the demolition is approved.
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