The Ritz-Carlton Savannah Breaks Ground In Historic Savannah Skyscraper For 2028 Debut In Georgia

The construction work on The Ritz-Carlton Savannah, Downtown hotel will establish a new luxury travel standard for Savannah, Georgia from its location at the historical Savannah Skyscraper which features 168 hotel rooms and provides views of Johnson Square and the city’s historic financial district. The local community and tourists who visit Savannah repeatedly have linked the 1911 tower to the city’s banking history since its opening yet they now anticipate its transformation into a sophisticated destination for both leisure and business visitors.

The adaptive reuse project received its official start when the Savannah Historic Board of Review approved it in December 2023 and the city plans to open its first Ritz-Carlton hotel from the Marriott International luxury brand by the beginning of 2028.

Landmark project in the Savannah Skyscraper

TMGOC Ventures has commenced work to convert the 15-storey Savannah Skyscraper, originally built in 1911 as Savannah Bank & Trust, and an adjacent historic structure into a 190,000-square-foot luxury hotel. The development will deliver 168 guestrooms and suites, combining original architectural character with contemporary comforts expected of The Ritz-Carlton brand. The property will be operated as The Ritz-Carlton Savannah, Downtown as part of Marriott International’s flagship luxury line-up, bringing the brand to Savannah for the first time.

The project sits at 2 East Bryan Street on Johnson Square, placing guests within walking distance of the city’s famed squares, moss-draped oaks, and riverfront, and is being positioned as a gateway for travellers who want to pair authentic historic ambience with high-end hospitality.

Luxury amenities tailored to modern travellers

On completion, The Ritz-Carlton Savannah, Downtown will feature a full suite of amenities designed to appeal to both holidaymakers and corporate guests. Plans include:

• A signature restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, anchoring the hotel’s culinary offering while spotlighting regional flavours.
• A refined lobby lounge and café providing an all-day social hub for residents, visitors and locals.
• A rooftop bar and pool, complete with lounge and terrace, offering elevated views over downtown Savannah and the river.
• A 5,000-square-foot spa and wellness centre alongside a 24/7 fitness facility, responding to growing demand for wellbeing-focused stays.
• More than 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space, targeting incentive groups, executive retreats and social celebrations.

The hotel will also benefit from upgraded infrastructure, with modernised elevators, utilities and back-of-house operational areas to support the brand’s service standards, while preserving the building’s historic shell.

Design vision: Historic soul, contemporary glamour

The aesthetic direction for The Ritz-Carlton Savannah, Downtown is being led by New York- and London-based Martin Brudnizki Design Studio (MBDS), known for its work on some of the world’s most recognisable hospitality interiors, together with Miami-based Studio Mc+G Architecture. Their brief is to celebrate the 1911 architecture while layering in a sense of contemporary glamour, ensuring that spaces from guestrooms to rooftop bar feel both residentially comfortable and distinctly Savannah.

Construction management is being overseen by Cleveland Construction, whose role includes carefully adapting the former office towers into a multi-use luxury property without compromising their historic integrity. Between the design and construction teams, the project aims to balance preservation guidelines with the expectations of international luxury travellers who increasingly seek characterful buildings with a strong sense of place.

Strategic boost for Savannah’s tourism landscape

The new Ritz-Carlton is being framed as a catalytic investment for Savannah’s already thriving tourism sector, which has seen rising demand for upscale rooms tied to both leisure city breaks and corporate meetings. The project has secured around 104.5 million dollars in construction financing, underscoring lender confidence in the destination’s long-term appeal and in the strength of the Ritz-Carlton flag.

For travellers, the hotel’s downtown position is expected to offer an attractive base that combines walkable access to historic squares, galleries and dining with the comforts of a global luxury brand that is recognised for its high-touch service ethos. For locals, the opening will activate an iconic but underused building with new restaurants, bars and spa facilities that can be enjoyed beyond the guest list, drawing more life into Johnson Square throughout the day and evening.

Looking ahead to a more luxurious Savannah stay

The upcoming 2028 launch of The Ritz-Carlton Savannah Downtown satisfies local residents who see the development as the next stage in Savannah’s transformation from a regional attraction into a worldwide luxury vacation hotspot. The live oaks and cobblestone streets and river breezes want to return passersby because they will see the Savannah path that runs from the renewed Savannah Skyscraper to the rooftop space which connects with the historic downtown area.