By Eric Curl
Nov. 14, 2023 – The business owner behind the proposal to renovate the former East Side Theater and build an apartment complex behind it is a familiar one to locals, especially to those who like to dine out.
Multiple sources say that the project is being developed by Ele Tran, who is no stranger to bringing vacant spaces to life. Her restaurant group, Rhino Hospitality, has opened 10 local restaurants and lounges, including the popular Vault Kitchen & Market in a former bank.
Tran has not responded to multiple requests for comment regarding the project, but the architect, Jerome Elder, has provided details about what is planned for the building and surrounding area at a number of meetings, including the Savannah Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Oct. 26.
Advertise with Savannah Agenda
The “local female developer”, “everyone knows who it is,” is committed to developing something that is not only appreciated now, but also in the future, Elder said at the meeting.
“It will be not just a landmark but a threshold and entryway into part of Savannah that sometimes people forget about,” he said. “But for us, we know it’s there and it will continue to thrive and that’s what we want to see with this development.”
Elder also did not respond to requests for comment since the October meeting.
The zoning board approved a height variance for an apartment complex on the northeast intersection of East Broad and East Gwinnett Street behind the theater. The variance will allow for an additional 5-feet of height and a fourth story on the three proposed buildings, which will be stepped back away from the street to minimize the visual impact from East Broad. The zoning board’s approval came after a previous variance request for the project was postponed to give Elder time to meet with area residents. Since then, the proposed maximum height was reduced from five to four stories and the footprint has been reduced for one of the buildings. A number of opponents of the project have since become supporters, including the Victorian Neighborhood Association.
Michael Higgins, who lives across the street from the development, said he was initially opposed after knowing little about the project, which he learned about from a notification sign that had fallen on the ground announcing what was then a 5-story project. After Elder met with residents, Higgins said he during the meeting that he is now a supporter.
“I fully support the work that they are doing,” he said.
The project is expected to include 75-85 apartments and the height variance will allow for parking on the first floor of one of the buildings, which will help in providing what is expected to amount to 130 spaces.
At least 15 percent of the apartments will be more affordable “workforce housing,” Elder said.
As far as the theater goes, Elder said the structure will be restored for use as two small 50-seat theaters, and a food hall with multiple smaller “incubator kitchens” and shared eating space similar to Atlanta’s Krog Street Market. The kitchens would provide opportunities for those that may not have the opportunity to rent a space to start their restaurants, he said.
There was some opposition voiced at the meeting, including the owner of a house located directly behind the theater. The owner, Silvia de Paula, voiced concerns about the buildings being constructed around her home and the amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic that would accompany it.
“This project is amazing, but it’s not realistic,” she said.
There was some opposition voiced at the meeting, including the owner of a house located directly behind the theater. Eric Curl/Savannah Agenda
The project is in its early stages and a site plan that is “substantially consistent” with the conceptual plan presented at the zoning board meeting will have to be approved before construction can begin.
Elder said they intend to continue to work with de Paula and all the neighbors as the project moves forward.
“It’s a big change, but we want it to be a positive change and it will be,” he said.
Quotes from Oct. 26 zoning board meeting:
Ryan Jarles, HSF’s director of preservation and historic Properties: “we just see this as a good preservation project.”
Clinton Edminster, owner of Starlandia and Waters Cafe: “My only concern is it is not the five stories … these parcels are incredibly valuable in the downtown core … the more people we can have join us in the community, the better.”
Andrew Berrien Jones, chairman of Oglethorpe plan coalition, a nonprofit devoted to protecting savannah downtown landmark district. The coalition does not object to the conceptual plan and Jones recommended that the architect continue working with the community as it moves forward.
Resident (name unknown)“I really believe this is real estate suicide for one member of the community.” (speaking about concerns of impact to de Paula’s property.
#StayEngagedSavannah
If you find value in this website, please consider contributing via Paypal to help cover the costs. You can also send contributions via Venmo @Savannah_Agenda. Your support, no matter how much you give, is appreciated and will help ensure the future viability of this community resource. You can also show your support by sharing Savannah Agenda with others via email or social media. Increasing readership is critical to the long-term success of this site.