An obsolete power plant was no longer serving its original industrial purpose; developers explored a new life for the landmark through mixed-use redevelopment

Historic Industrial properties switch to other functions when they are no longer required. They are being utilized to feature large-scale mixed-use redevelopment that will include hospitality, retail, dining, art and entertainment.

From power plant to Plant Riverside District

The power plant situated along the Savannah River was built in 1912. It is one of America's first power plants with a 225,000-square-foot masonry brick structure that is being transitioned into the Kessler Collection’s Plant Riverside District.

To preserve the historic building while launching a series of contemporary uses, the redevelopment is made accordingly. A JW Marriott hotel, high-end retail spaces and 13 food and beverage operations, that includes three rooftop bars will be there in the property. An art gallery and a live-music space is also included.


Richard Kessler, chairman and CEO of the Kessler Collection, which owns and functions the property. The real architecture of the building has an important role in making its fresh identity.

“As there were few power plants in America when this one was designed, the original architects took the approach of creating a classical building with deep brick arches and oversize windows to mimic other major municipal buildings of the era,” states Kessler.

Kessler also stated,

“If a power plant were designed today, it would be unusual to find it so carefully articulated and expensively built as we see here with the former Georgia Power Plant. The fact that the historic building does have a stately architectural facade now lends itself useful and desirable for a luxury hotel."

Preserving the building's industrial history

The design architects behind the Georgia power plant transformation, Anthony Cissell, architect and urban designer at Sottile & Sottile, cites,

“Innovation often results from challenging sites or contexts, and few are more challenging than the remains of our early 20th-century urban industrial landscape.”

“The impulse of many redevelopment efforts is often to start with a ‘clean slate,’ resulting in lost opportunities to develop a genuine dialogue with our history and create evolving places with layered authenticity.” He added

What once served an industrial use is being incorporated into a mixed-use destination focused on a hotel, retail, dining, art and entertainment. while the property takes on a set of fresh functions, the Plant Riverside District continues to be a part of the redevelopment

Source: Architectural Digest (AD)

FAQs:

1. What is the Plant Riverside District?

The Plant Riverside District is a mixed-use redevelopment in Savannah, Georgia. It incorporates a former power plant into a modern destination.

2. What was the building originally used for?

The building was originally a power plant. It was constructed in 1912.