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Morris Multimedia (Oliver Sturges House)

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1813; 1835 third floor; 1973 restoration. 7 Abercorn St.

This stunning example of a Federal town house (originally joined by a twin to the south) was erected for Savannah merchant Oliver Sturges, a two-fifths investor in the SS Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic. Planning for the voyage took place in this house. The nine-over-nine double-hung windows reflect the small pane size typical of that time. Less typical is the extra-wide entrance bay and side elevation perforated with a gracefully proportioned set of windows that flank the paired chimneys. The unusual rear elevation features a handsome arched doorway and polygonal second-floor west wall. The neighboring Planters Inn (1916; 1931 expansion; 102–118 E. Congress Street) was initially constructed on the east end of the trust lot fronting the square as the Hotel Collins (renamed the John Wesley Hotel in 1924). It was seamlessly extended to the west end of the trust lot using the same design, resulting in a building unique in Savannah, occupying only half of the width of a trust lot but its full depth. After closing in 1982, the hotel reopened as the Planters Inn in 1987 after a renovation by J. T. Turner Construction.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Robin B. Williams with David Gobel, Patrick Haughey, Daves Rossell, and Karl Schuler
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Citation

Robin B. Williams with David Gobel, Patrick Haughey, Daves Rossell, and Karl Schuler, "Morris Multimedia (Oliver Sturges House)", [Savannah, Georgia], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/GA-02-2.13.

Print Source

Buildings of Savannah, Robin B. Williams. With David Gobel, Patrick Haughey, Daves Rossell, and Karl Schuler. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2016, 41-42.

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