Savannah Ga Photos & Information

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What people now call the Starland District is actually the Thomas Square Streetcar District. There are a lot of old victorians in the area. You will also find antique shops, restaurants, galleries and other small businesses. the area is being renovated and restored to its origianl character.

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This is the sign to one of the antique shops -- there are many downtown, but the Starland District is steadily drawing shops to the area.

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The downtown Savannah Historic District has strict guidelines re: the colors you can use, but in the Starland District you will see many different bright colors.

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Tha Starland District is becoming a very good second choice to the high price homes downtown. There are styles to meet everyone's taste.

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I don't know if you can tell in this picture, but this is an an example of a home in need of cosmetic work. Many times you can find an old home with good bones that simply needs a do-over. The pricey part is the scaping and painting on the wooden exterior homes.

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Here is one home undergoing renovation -- a very familiar site in the midtown Savannah Ga area.

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here is one that has undergone a full renovation -- I love the wrap around porch on the west side

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I can't remember right what type of buiness is being run out of this home, but you will see this all through the Starland Art and Design District, either a restaurant, a bed and breakfast, a design business or a gallery or such.

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Savannah GA City government is very active in the preservation and beautification of our historic districts.

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Another good example of a Savannah GA diamond in the rough, a home waiting for the right creative touch.

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When you come to Savannah -- EAT HERE! -- Voted by Savannah Magazine as the best restaurant in it's category.

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You will also see some of the old Savannah homes in the Thomas Square Streetcar District used as boarding houses -- some have up to 10 bedrooms.

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My wife absolutely loves porches.

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You will even find some new contruction in the Starland district that are built to emulate old styles.

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Bungalows can also be found along this stretch of town, and a little further south you begin to see the arts and crafts influence on Savannah GA styles, starting in the early 20th century.

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here is a close-up of some of the work that needs to be done on many of the old homes that have not been maintained properly -- you want to look for wood rot and termite infestation.

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Another example of colors you will find in the Starland District that you won't find in the Savannah downtown historic district. I showed this house to a couple and it has plenty of room, just needs updating.

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Another candidate for renovation -- this has sort of a gothic style.

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Look at the capital on the column of this Greek Revival home, amazing detail.

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A Gothic style church undergoing renovation -- I love the stone work, which is common among Savannah GA architecture.

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Another angle to show the castellated tower.

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Greek revival is a common Savannah GA style -- one of my favorites, because of the impresive symmetry and balance.

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Even the banks in midtown and midtown Savannah are stylish.

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Amazing detail.

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With the right touch and a lot of work, you wouldn't recognize this home. I have seen homes like this transform with the right builder adding the right touches.

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This is a great example of the Second Empire style -- having the garage is a big plus, probably built out of guest quarters.

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The vision for this area is for the old neighborhoods to mad useful again. There are corner buildings that used to be small shops and areas where commercial interests can blend with the houses.

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The bed and breakfast locations are all throughout downtown, the Victorian District and the Starland District -- these are unique, personal service places where you can get a real taste of Savannah GA hospitality.

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Many of the townhomes and condos in the Starland District are being rented by students from Savannah College of Art and Design.

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Another neat Inn about two blocks from where I live. Usually these places are run bu people who pay attention to service and it makes for a relaxed, interesting stay -- they may have a few Savannah stories for you.

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You also still see some brick streets in the Starland District -- there's something about the brick streets that is signature Savannah.

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Before buying an old home in the Starland district to renovate, make sure your contract has a long enough due diligence period where you can inspect the home thoroughly and know what you are getting. Many times the work is minimal, but you can get ahold of a money pit if you're not careful.

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You don't see as many of these boarded up homes anymore, but they are scattered through Savannah starting at the Victorian District. Sometimes it's just a shell of the building which will require total rebuilding.

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I love the stone exterior on this one.

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This is an italianate style -- one of my favorite styles of the old Savannah homes. It seemed to last in popularity quite long time in the 19th century and early twentieth century.

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This is an example of one of the corner stores with living quarters above. Neat places.

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Of course, we're in the bible belt in Savannah GA, so you will see plenty of churches. Some of the greatest architecture in Savannah is churches.

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You will also find some vacant lots that haven't yet been built on.

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This is neat row of rental houses, with just subtle style variations among them.

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These are the art-deco buildings in the Starland District where there are coffee shops, design studios, art galleries and supply businesses.

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Savannah has strong city programs for the poor -- you don't see a lot of homeless people in Savannah, although there are too many, even one is too many.

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This is Back in The Day Bakery and coffe shop -- YUM, they have a good blackberry cake thing.

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More of the art-deco style.

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They also have residential condos above the businesses.

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Starland!

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Guess what the star is for.

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There are lots of thrift shops around Savannah, plus flea markets, used furniture, used books, etc. My wife loves to shop in these places hoping to find little treasures or something odd.

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Is that golf clubs I see? Speaking of golf, I played this weekend at my favorite course -- Crosswinds in Pooler.

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I guess if you are talking Starland district proper it would be these building and about 2 blocks surrounding them, but I think since it's easier to say Starland (and it sounds cooler) than Thomas Square Streetcar district, more people will be calling the whole are Starland.

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As I have mentioned earlier, Savannah is quickly becoming a magnet for artists. There are many galleries opening up and studios are all around town.

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I need to make an appointment. Work, balance, relationships, yep, I need to make an appointment.

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Porches are big in the south. There's nothing better than sitting on the porch on a cool day in Savannah watching the world around you carry on.

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See the double porches? That's the style of my duplex. I plan to turn it back into a single family home.

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Here's another one that needs work. This could be made into a double porch homes. It would add to the exterior appearance and better utilize the upstair's space.

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There are several good seafood stores around Savannah. This one in the Thomas Square streetcar district is one of the best -- a wide variety of fresh seafood. They have also built a restaurant next door which is very good.

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This is the seafood restaurant next to Russo's Seafoood market. Savannah GA has great seafood. and fishing/shrimping is a big industry here.

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The metal roofs are being used more and more often now. I particularly like the roof and the brackets on this one.