Grand Opening of Landmark AC Hotel at East River Street Celebrates Bold Design and Sustainable Innovation

Savannah, GA welcomes its newest addition to the riverfront skyline with the grand opening of the hotel at 600 East Bay Street, a striking architectural achievement that redefines contemporary design in one of America’s most historic cities. Designed by the visionary architectural team of Savannah’s GMSHAY Architects, the project not only embraces the industrial heritage of the site but sets a new standard for sustainable hospitality in the Southeast.

Located on the site of the former Savannah Electric and Power Company (SEPCO) building, the newly opened hotel reflects a thoughtful and deliberate design that bridges Savannah’s storied past and its innovative future. The building’s massing draws inspiration from the large-scale industrial structures that once defined the area, incorporating deep roof terraces and cantilevered forms as an homage to SEPCO’s bold mid-century expression. The conversion of a contaminated industrial site that left little room human health and expression has evolved to meet Savannah’s modern day hospitality and public health needs.

Architecturally, the hotel continues the elegant curvature of its neighboring hotel at 611 East River Street, offering a graceful complement to River Street’s iconic bend. At street level, multiple active uses animate the façade on all sides, promoting a vibrant pedestrian experience in keeping with the urban fabric of the Historic District.

A defining feature of the hotel is its pursuit of LEED Platinum certification, a testament of the developer’s and design team’s commitment to environmental leadership. More than 50% of the roof is covered with solar PV arrays, and every detail—from energy systems to material choices—has been guided by a vision of sustainability without compromise to design integrity.

“This building is not only a new destination for visitors, but a forward-thinking model of how contemporary architecture can honor context while pushing boundaries,” says Patrick Shay, firm principal and lead architect on the project. “Our goal was to create a structure that is both distinctly of its time and deeply respectful of the city’s evolution.”

The opening marks a major moment in Savannah’s continued waterfront revitalization and establishes a bold precedent for future development just beyond the boundary of the National Historic Landmark District. The hotel now stands as a gateway between the city’s treasured past and its design-forward future.