Savannah, Georgia is getting a Ritz-Carlton, right in the heart of its Historic District, one of the Southeast’s most constrained markets for new development. Recent zoning limits high-density hotels and prohibits demolition of historic structures
The 15-story hotel, set to open in 2028, will be very close to River Street, City Market, Forsyth Park, and the convention center, making it convenient for leisure and corporate travelers. Other demand drivers include the Plant Riverside District, Savannah’s lively Broughton Street, the Savannah College of Art & Design, and the Port of Savannah, one of the busiest seaports in the country.
Savannah has a vibrant Riverwalk and a myriad of historic buildings and squares. Source: Shutterstock
The hotel, which is being carved out of two historic existing office buildings built in 1911, will have 168 keys and will include multiple dining outlets on its lower level, ground floor, second floor and rooftop.
“The Savannah Historic District is one of the most sought-after development markets in the Southeast, particularly for hotel projects, given its limited sites, restrictive zoning, and highly selective review process,” said Alison Tan, VP of Investments at TMGOC, the real estate and development private equity leading the project.
The Savannah Convention Center completed its $276 million in February 2025, which doubled the exhibit hall space to 200,000 square feet, introduced a spacious 40,000-square-foot ballroom, added 15 meeting rooms, and built a 900-space parking garage. Officials say these enhancements, equipped the center to accommodate larger events and provide an upgraded experience for visitors.
Walker & Dunlop, Inc., one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory services firms in the United States and internationally, arranged the $104.5 million loan to facilitate the construction financing for the Ritz-Carlton Savannah.