By Eric Curl
Nov. 15, 2025 – The developer behind the ongoing Starland Village mixed-use development now wants to convert a former church into a boutique hotel after abandoning plans to use the building as an event venue.
Since purchasing the church at 2201 Bull St. in 2017, the Foram Group has studied options such as retail, residential, mixed-use office and the original event venue use, but they have been unable to identify a financially viable path to restore and reuse the building, according to CEO Travis Stringer.
“The unique construction and design of this historic building make redevelopment inherently costly,” Stringer said in a letter shared with community residents on Friday. “None offered a sustainable balance between preservation costs, financial feasibility, and accessibility for the public.”
The development group now believes that the most “responsible and creative path forward is to transform the building into a neighborhood-oriented, boutique hotel with approximately 45–50 rooms and off-street parking,” he said.
Stringer cited The Hoxton hotels as inspiration for the concept, a “model known for revitalizing historic buildings into vibrant, community-centered spaces where guests and locals mingle naturally.”
With open lobbies, local art, cafe seating, an activated courtyard area, and street-level engagement “the goal is not exclusivity, but inclusion—a hotel that feels like a neighborhood living room” he said.
Proposed Ban
The new plan for the church comes as residents of Thomas Square, along with the Cuyler-Brownville and Victorian neighborhoods, seek to prohibit hotels from being developed in their historic communities on the outskirts of downtown. A proposed hotel overlay district that would do just that was expected to go before the Savannah City Council on Nov. 25 after the Metropolitan Planning Commission recommended approval last month. However, residents recently requested that consideration of the hotel ban be postponed until the Dec. 11 meeting due to a number of community members being out of town for Thanksgiving.
Stringer said in his letter that his development company shares the community’s concerns regarding hotel development, and their intent is to work “within the spirit” of the proposed overlay district and develop a “Good Neighbor Agreement” that outlines expectations and commitments around such issues as noise, parking, traffic and communication.
“It was mentioned at the MPC hearing that a small hotel project could be considered and supported, but only with appropriate collaboration, community input, redevelopment of an existing structure, and within an appropriate location,” he said. “We believe our building meets these requirements and, as developers, we look forward to collaborating and communicating with the community to develop a project that everyone can be proud of and feel a sense of ownership in.”
Additional Proposals
Two other Thomas Square hotel projects have recently emerged, in addition to Foram’s proposal. The projects were recently posted on the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Nov. 18 meeting agenda, although one of them is expected to be continued to January at the petitioner’s request. The projects include a hotel on the site of a former bank at Abercorn and East 41st Street. The architect, Jerome Elder, said the details of the project are still being worked out and they will be meeting with neighborhood residents to discuss the plan and gather input prior to the January meeting.
In addition, local developer Michael Condon is seeking a special-use permit to establish a small hotel with 21 rooms at Habersham and East 42nd street. A historic three-story building dating to 1930, currently classified for office use, sits on the site.
With nearly 9,000 square feet of space and a large 22-space parking lot, the property was ideally suited for conversion into a boutique hotel, Condon said in a letter that was also sent to Thomas Square residents Friday.
After approximately ten months of planning, construction began in 2023, and the project is now about 75% complete,” he said. “We anticipate completion within the next 120 days.”
Condon said that since arriving in Savannah nine years ago, his company, Vintage Home Restoration, has completed work on more than 100 homes and commercial buildings throughout the city’s historic neighborhoods. Among the projects is the former laundromat at 1401 Paulson, which was recently renovated and reopened as The Laundry Diner.
Representatives for the three hotel projects are expected to discuss their plans with residents at the Thomas Square Neighborhood Association meeting on Monday.
Past Coverage
Hotel plans submitted as neighborhoods seek ban
MPC Backs Neighborhood Push to Ban Hotels in Three Historic Districts
Starland Village developer “transfers” properties to new “entity” for $1.6M
Starland Village developer says construction to begin by July
Starland Village work resumes, power outage ensues
RELATED Hotel Overlay District Info (City of Savannah)
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