SVA Tour of Homes & Tea

St. Vincent's Annual Historic Tour of Homes & Tea

2007 Tour Sites

NOTE: The following houses appeared on the 2007 Tour and are representative of the types of homes that will be available for touring on the 2008 Tour. Descriptions and photos of the 2008 Tour Sites will be available for online viewing July 1, 2008.

1 This 1987 building was originally designed and constructed by a local architectural firm to house their company but ultimately was converted into a residence/“townhouse” in 2005. This three bedroom, two and a half bath contemporary home has heart pine flooring, made from wood salvaged from old warehouse buildings when they were razed. The contemporary décor features original art work by notable local artists.

2 This 1890 building originally housed four automobile dealerships, but when the businesses failed during the Depression the space was bought by and converted into a baking company. The most recent conversion of the building into condominiums was completed in 2001.
      This 4,000 square foot home includes a main living area situated on the second floor and a guest area and 1200 bottle wine cellar occupying the ground floor. The home features a rooftop deck overlooking the city’s Historic District and an extensive art collection, showcased throughout the space with natural and specially designed lighting.

3 Built in 1892, this Victorian house underwent significant renovation in 1980. The home occupies 2,000 square feet of space on three floors and has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a private garden. The façade is Savannah gray brick and the flooring is heart pine. The antiques included exceptional examples of 18th and 19th century American, French and English furnishings.

4 Built in 1873 and renovated in 1975, this Italianate style home occupies three floors and 3,000 square feet of living space. The original cooking fireplace has been preserved, along with the original heart pine floors, plaster molding and mantles of the six fireplaces. The building’s façade is Savannah gray brick and features wrought iron railings. The décor reflects the period of the house and is accented by numerous antique oil paintings and bronzes.

5 St. Vincent’s Convent was designed by the noted architect Charles Cluskey and built in 1845 on land that was once farmland. Tour participants will see the Convent’s private chapel, parlor, grotto area and halls which feature beautiful stained glass, sacred statuary and paintings.
     To guide tourists along the way, there will be several “nuns” (Academy students) wearing the three major traditional habits of the Sisters of Mercy spanning the years from the 1840s through the 1970s.
     The collection of memorabilia displayed in Heritage Hall documents Savannah’s history against the backdrop of an all-girls education at the world’s oldest Mercy high school in continuous existence. Displays include needlework by pre-Civil War era students, 19th century scholastic awards and photography spanning the entire 20th century.
     The Convent proves to be a fascinating place whether you’re an architectural history buff or a curious alumna who has always wanted to venture beyond the closed doors of the Convent.

6 This 1842 townhouse and its twin, the mirror-image townhouse adjacent to it, were designed by architect Charles Cluskey. Renovated in 1986, this 5,633 square foot home has many of the original architectural features: plaster moldings, a fourth floor skylight, black marble mantles in the living and dining rooms and heart pine beams on the ground level. Faux paintings with tromp l’oeil decorate the walls of the kitchen and atrium. The five bedroom, four bathroom home also features a carriage house and private garden.

7 Built in 1851, this 7,200 square foot, four-story Federal home has four bedrooms and three and a half baths. The heart pine floors, fireplace mantels and plaster moldings are all original to the building. The home is furnished traditionally with Waterford crystal lighting, early 19th century antiques and oil paintings.

8 This four-story Greek Revival home was built in 1858 and has five bedrooms, four baths and 11 fireplaces. In 1960, the building was converted back to a single family home and restored after many years of use as a tenement building and grocery store.
     The heart pine flooring on all four floors is original to the home, as are the chandeliers and moldings in the entry and dining room. Wrought iron gates, salvaged from an 1850s Parisian home, lead into the beautiful garden, designed and cultivated by the owner in 19th century French style. The walled garden leads to a two bedroom carriage house which features murals painted by an artist who once lived there. The English and French furnishings are mostly antique and were passed down from the owners’ parents.

9 This 1886 building was originally constructed as Fire Station No. 4 for the city of Savannah. After the station closed in 1950, it was used as an auto body shop. It was completely renovated in l997-98. The upper floor, formerly the firemen’s sleeping quarters, is now a rental unit. The ground floor has an open floor plan with a large living/dining area with four sets of French doors which provide access to the garden and pool. It also features an open kitchen, two bedrooms and two baths.
     The pine ceilings, cast iron support beams and brick pavers used in the garden are original to the building. The furnishings are eclectic, including French and Italian antiques and other objects collected by the owner in Asia and elsewhere. This unique home was featured on HGTV (Home and Garden Television).

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