Hotelier Richard Kessler’s $220 million West River Street project continued its forward momentum on Wednesday as the Historic Board unanimously approved the initial height and mass of four new buildings for the site.
The board deliberated for six hours, starting with a special session in the morning and continuing into its regular meeting in the afternoon, before voting 8-0 on a general motion to let the project proceed to its next phase.
Christian Sottile, the lead architect for Plant Riverside, gave a meticulously detailed breakdown of each of the proposed new buildings, ancillary structures and rehabilitation of the decommissioned 100-year-old power plant that will serve as the centerpiece of the site.
In addition to the power plant being converted to a six-story hotel, a parking deck to the west will be wrapped with hotel rooms on its north and east facades. Three buildings to the east — six, four and three stories, respectively — form the rest of the development, but are conjoined through two separate glass connectors.
The project promises to add 430 new hotel rooms to downtown.
Sottile said the goal was to prioritize the connection to the river via Jefferson and Montgomery streets and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard while respecting the architectural and industrial history of the site.
“The complexity and texture of Factors Walk are qualities we want these buildings to emulate and reference, and so there’s a story here narrating parts of that past — 18th, 19th and 20th century history all in a contemporary mode,” said Sottile.
Kessler addressed the board earlier in the day, recapping his previous projects such as the The Bohemian Hotel and Mansion on Forsyth Park and reiterating his commitment to the city.
“We take a lot of pride in what we do in Savannah,” said Kessler. “It’s extremely important to me personally. It’s not just a corporate thing. This is a personal thing.”
Plant Riverside has gained considerable steam since receiving a controversial height map amendment from City Council over the summer. The council voted last Thursday in support of a plan to invest $14 million toward infrastructure improvements in the area, including a 1,300-foot extension of the Riverwalk.
The board was effusive in its praise Wednesday, with several members complimenting both Sottile and the Metropolitan Planning staff for working together on such a complex development.
Wednesday’s most spirited exchange came during the discussion of ancillary buildings on the property. The developer is proposing several pavilions, so-called “electric moon” uplighting and three small shipping containers to serve as kiosks.
“They’re intended to bring small business opportunities to the riverfront,” said Sottile.
“I understand what you’re trying to add ... but the containers are such a distraction,” said Tess Scheer.
“This is going to look like a construction crew left something behind,” said Stephen Merriman.
“I’m not sure if I like it or not,” said Nicholas Henry.
The board agreed to the size and placement of the containers in theory, but asked that design details be provided later.
Three people spoke in favor of the project during public comment, including local business leaders Bob Jepson and Stratton Leopold.
“I think somebody has come to our city with the genius and wherewithal to take that part of River Street and make it something beautiful, make it something we’ll be proud of and I think from an economic standpoint, will be an enormous boon to the city,” said Jepson.
“I think if we look at the care that Mr. Kessler has put into his other projects ... this will become, from a tourism standpoint especially, a capstone and a wonderful addition to that end of River Street,” said Leopold.
Historic Savannah Foundation’s Danielle Meunier said they also support the project while pointing to a few areas they’d like to see restudied with planning staff.
Kessler’s team will next return to the historic board to look at the design details and materials for the project.