Butler Marine Dry Stack
Pre-engineered metal building for boat and trailer storage.
The Digby
The Project
This new mixed-use development in the heart of downtown Savannah is under construction. The Digby is a boutique hotel located next to Ellis Square. This five-story, commercial building is dedicated to high-end accommodations, short-term vacation rental with rooftop bar, ground floor restaurant and retail space. Proximity to the existing adjacent building was one substantial aspect of the design, resulting in the need for expansion joints.
The Client
Pioneer Construction led the construction effort with David Lochrane as the project manager and owner, Ric Brown. The team has navigated several challenges, from the tight site space to incorporating modern amenities within a historic setting. The architectural brilliance behind The Digby comes from Pantheon ADC, with Clif Cooper and James Galluci leading the design. They worked closely with 29E6 LLC for innovative solutions to tackle the project’s unique structural challenges.
Nestled in the heart of downtown Savannah, GA, The Digby stands proudly on the historic Ellis Square. This charming boutique hotel and restaurant is developed by Stature Investments, led by Yash Desai. The project reflects the company’s commitment to enriching Savannah’s cultural and economic landscape. The Digby is a six-story gem, part of the exclusive Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Its 36 guest rooms, basement lounge, ground floor restaurant, and rooftop bar offer a blend of modern luxury and Southern hospitality. The hotel’s design draws inspiration from the early 18th-century records of the Digby family, blending historical charm with contemporary elegance.
The Challenge
Constructing a modern hospitality destination within the dense, protected fabric of downtown Savannah presents a complex matrix of constraints. The site, located on the historic Ellis Square, offered a restrictive footprint nestled tightly against an existing parking garage and adjacent structures. The project required navigating the strict preservation standards of the historic district while accommodating the structural demands of a six-story mixed-use building.
The physical constraints were compounded by environmental factors; the structure needed to resist the region’s high wind loads and moderate seismic forces. Furthermore, the architectural vision demanding high volumes of glass and specific fire rating requirements rendered traditional wood framing insufficient. The team needed a way to deliver a robust, fire-resistant structure without sacrificing the aesthetic openness or the operational square footage required for a luxury boutique hotel.
The Solution
To reconcile the site’s limitations with the design’s grandeur, the project team executed a sophisticated structural engineering strategy. Led by Pantheon ADC in close collaboration with 29E6 LLC, the team designed a hybrid structural system featuring five stories of structural steel framing perched atop a concrete first-floor podium and basement. This choice allowed for the extensive use of glass and met stringent fire codes.
The Improvements
The building’s structural system is a feat of structural engineering. It features five stories of structural steel over a concrete first floor and basement, all supported by a mat slab
foundation. The lateral system is a dual approach, using the elevator core as a shear wall along with exterior steel moment frames. The lateral system was chosen to resist the high wind and moderate seismic forces in the area. The mat slab is a result of the site’s constraints within the historic district and its proximity to an existing parking garage. The high volume of windows and glass along with the fire requirements dictated the use of steel framing on building.
The Results
The Digby is rising as a distinct landmark in Savannah’s hospitality landscape. Developed by Stature Investments, this six-story boutique hotel is set to join the exclusive Unbound Collection by Hyatt. By successfully navigating the structural complexities, the team has created a space that honors the 18th-century history of the Digby family while offering contemporary luxury.
The finished structure will host 36 upscale guest rooms, a basement lounge, a ground-floor restaurant, and a rooftop bar offering panoramic views of the city. The structural steel solution not only ensured safety and stability but allowed for the open, airy aesthetic that defines the guest experience. The Digby stands as a testament to enriching Savannah’s cultural and economic landscape, blending Southern hospitality with modern engineering excellence.
