One Of America's Most Historic Small Towns Is Getting A Redesign

For Architectural Digest, by Sara Tardiff.

Founded in 1733, Savannah, Georgia, was the country’s first planned city. With an elaborate design that boasted public squares, neoclassical architecture, and a road system that allowed the urban market to flourish, the city was ahead of its time. Today, the historic downtown is known for its unique infrastructure and breadth of architectural gems, attracting millions of visitors each year. Although the city will always lovingly celebrate its past, it is looking to the future with a 2018 redesign of the historic downtown area that will make better use of the waterside space and public areas, and improve the overall experience for residents and visitors alike. The city of Savannah tapped global urban design firm EDSA to take on the task, with an emphasis on preserving its rich history. AD spoke with John Torti, a senior associate at EDSA, about the firm’s design plans, the obstacles they faced, and how they intend to stay true to Savannah’s historic roots.