By Eric Curl
Dec. 19, 2024 – The historic building at 21 West Bay St. is poised for significant renovations, according to plans recently submitted by the building’s owner, DAI Commercial Realty. Constructed in 1821 as The City Hotel, the 4-story structure has served various roles over the years, including retail and office spaces. Most recently, it housed the Moon River Brewing Company on its ground floor and basement, while the upper floors have remained vacant for more than three decades.
Katie Chancy, a broker with DAI, said on Wednesday that plans are still preliminary, but they anticipate getting a new restaurant tenant on the basement and street level. They are still trying to figure out the “highest and best use” for the upper floors, which will likely be short-term vacation rentals or apartments, Chancy said.
“It’s still very, very preliminary,” she said.
The proposed renovation plans include:
- Interior Renovations: Updating the ground floor and basement restaurant spaces to accommodate a new tenant.
- Residential Conversion: Transforming the second through fourth floors into apartment units
- Elevator Addition: Constructing a new elevator shaft and lobby between the main structure and the carriage house to improve accessibility.
- Exterior Enhancements: Installing new wood windows and shutters, replacing non-historic elements, and adding a porch on the Bay Street façade to replicate its 1837 appearance, based on a historic painting by Joseph Fermin Cerveau.
- Carriage House Repairs: Replacing the asphalt roofing and sheathing of the carriage house due to age and damage.
The owner is seeking tax credits for the renovation, with the period of significance for the structure identified between 1817 and 1865. The project is scheduled for review by the Savannah Historic District Board of Review at the Jan. 8 meeting.
After 25 years in business, Moon River Brewing, Savannah’s first brewpub, shut its doors at the location in June due to various challenges, as reported by The Savannahian.
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