The downtown building formerly known as Ann Street Lofts, at 111 Ann Street by the Joe Murray Rivers Jr. Intermodal Transit Center, is being converted into a 230-room Margaritaville hotel. At his weekly press conference in early September, Mayor Van Johnson said he had reservations about the brand and told reporters he was not sure it fit what the city wants to be.
He also said Savannah has no legal path to stop it, because land use is set by state law and zoning, and the conversion permit filed under the 111 Ann Street address in late July was approved in August because it met code.
The change pulls a residential building that opened in 2023 out of a tight downtown housing supply and turns it into lodging.
Why it matters
A newly built downtown residential building is leaving Savannah's tight housing stock for tourist lodging, and even the mayor says he cannot intervene.
See an error, or have an update on this project? Tell Urban Savannah.
