in the preservation and rehabilitation of historic properties, to lead the project team. The historic research, assessments,
A vintage photo of the Marshall House showing the wrought-iron veranda helped metal workers replicate it for the hotel’s renovation.
documentation for tax credits and maneu- vering through local administration were challenging but rewarding. Because the building had been closed and covered with a stucco curtainwall, an effort to achieve designation as a historic property had never been attempt- ed. Historical research was completed by Hansen Architects, securing newspaper clippings and docu- ments from the Georgia Historical Society. The team also took photos of existing conditions and submitted them with an application to the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. National Park Service. The building ultimately received
afte r
historic designation; the U.S. National Park Service recognized the building as a contributing structure to the Savannah Historic District. With this designation in place, tax credits could be applied for and the property was successfully purchased. Tax incentives were available through the city’s revitalization plan for Broughton Street redevelopment. Plans to return the 1851 structure to its
original use and stateliness were immedi- ately set in motion. The government
1899: HISTORICAL FACT
During the Civil War, the Marshall House was used as a hospital.
Work Begins Peeling back the 1960s stucco curtainwall facing Broughton Street revealed another era, exposing the original Philadelphia pressed brick façade. The façade was sur- prisingly well maintained. Original granite Greek Doric pilasters were also discovered and replaced where necessary. The building appears rectangular along Broughton Street with two rear wings projecting back to the alley forming an overall U-shape. The sides and rear
were constructed of a local Savannah grey brick, which was maintained and became a feature of the restoration. Exterior walls are load-bearing with wood beams. The wood floor joist and wood truss roof systems were maintained and restored. First-floor retail shops were removed, exposing a courtyard space that had origi- nally been a turnaround for horses and carriages, as well as for unloading guests’ luggage. The courtyard was enclosed with a domed skylight to create a casual dining conservatory, highlighting the original Savannah grey brick walls. The historic windows in the brick fa-
tax credits made façade improvements and restoration of the historic property more financially vi- able. Preservation is expensive because original materials have to be replicated, located, etc., and older buildings often require extra care, whether in structural work or code upgrades. However, the central location, marketability of a historic hotel and the approximate 20 percent added value from tax credits made this preservation project attractive. In addi- tion, because Savannah is a historic city, design and construction professionals are fortunate to have many resources for mill- work, hardware and metal work, as well as salvaged materials from other historic structures, on which to rely.
The Marshall House is re- opened after briefly closing.
It now boasts electric lights and room rates of $2 to $2.50 per day.
çade were in restorable condition. Double- hung windows, transoms and casing were retained and repaired or replaced where necessary with replications. Replicas of the original operable louvered shutters
were manufactured and reinstalled on the restored structure. The wrought-iron veranda discovered
in historic photographs was replicated. Metal workers consulted old photographs and utilized historic molds from other res- toration projects. For example, the mold used to forge the columns and bracket casings came from the 1837 St. Andrew’s Hotel in Selma, Ala., and proved to be a remarkable match. Recreating the veranda was a costly addition for the developer but was important to maintaining the hotel’s architectural integrity. In addition, (continues on page 56)