Jan

Savannah Gardens

Savannah Gardens is located at 515 Pennsylvania Avenue, in Savannah, Georgia. This is one of Savannah’s historic neighborhoods and is a redevelopment of the old Strathmore Estates on the east side of Savannah. The Strathmore Estates were located on a 44 acre site that contained over 300 units that were first built in the 1940’s. While adequate for the 1940’s, nearly 70 years later, they had become substandard rental housing. Partnering with CHSA Development and the City of Savannah, new life has been breathed into this community in Savannah.

Savannah Gardens is a multiphase project with Phase I completing construction in 2011. Phases II and III were completed in 2012. Phase IV was completed in mid-2015, and Phase V was completed in late 2015.

Savannah Gardens is owned and operated by Mercy Housing Southeast, located in Atlanta, Georgia. Phase I is a general family affordable housing apartment community composed of 114 single family apartment units ranging from one to three bedrooms in size. Phase II is a 39 unit Senior Adult community for adults aged 62 and up. Phase III is 94 unit general family affordable housing apartment community. Phase IV is composed of 114 single family apartment units (including 18 duplex units). Phase V is an additional 76 single family apartments.

Mercy Housing is committed to truly affordable housing in the communities that they develop. Savannah Gardens is no exception to that commitment. Truly affordable housing means much more than housing that is rented below current market rate rents for comparable housing. Savannah Gardens was developed under the EarthCraft Multifamily program for new construction.

For additional information about Savannah Gardens, please call 912-335-4835 or visit their website.

Because of this, Savannah Gardens also offers:

Energy efficient and sustainable construction
Energy efficient heating and cooling
Energy efficient lighting
Energy efficient appliances
Water efficient plumbing fixtures
Wide variety of floor plans
Covered pavilion with picnic/BBQ facilities and an on-site public park
Variety of services and activities for all residents
Conveniently located near public transportation and retail shops

As a result of the energy efficiency efforts put into place, residents of the Savannah Gardens community can easily expect to see 25-35% energy savings versus living in similar apartments that were constructed without energy efficiency in mind.

Phase I of Savannah Gardens was Synergy’s first project. I was not part of the project from the beginning. Somewhere along the way, the program began to “come apart” in the EarthCraft process. I was brought into the project at the point of approximately 60% completion. Working with the owner representatives, the general contractor, the various sub-contractors, and Southface, we were all able to bring the project back together and meet the completion deadlines. That accomplishment made it clear to everyone that all people in the project are a team.

Fortunately, Phases II through V did not have the “coming apart” challenge, but each brought their own set of challenges. Challenges they faced are common in multifamily construction of this scale. Each challenge was faced and overcome.

Besides being certified under the EarthCraft Multifamily program, Savannah Gardens also qualified for incentives under the Georgia Power Earthcents New Homes program for multifamily projects.

The construction team that Mercy Housing put together has proven to be a great team. And when you have a great team, you end up with a great product!

The General Contractor for Savannah Gardens was Norsouth Construction. Norsouth has more than 25 years experience in building multifamily communities.

The photo gallery below shows some of the best of all 5 phases and the creation of Savannah Gardens.

Synergy’s only role at Savannah Gardens was to provide EarthCraft Technical advisory, inspection, and testing services. We had no other role in this project.

Savannah Gardens Photo Gallery

For a larger photo and a brief description, please click or tap a photo.

Savannah Gardens 01
Savannah Gardens Phase 5 scored 110 EarthCraft Points (minimum of 100 needed). All 5 phases earned the EarthCraft Multifamily certification.
Savannah Gardens 02
This is a sample of the insulation in one of the early phases of construction.
Savannah Gardens 03
Foam seal around windows helps control drafts and moisture intrusion.
Savannah Gardens 04
This is Spyder insulation in the final phase.
Savannah Gardens 05
This is Spyder insulation in the third phase.
Savannah Gardens 06
This is a view of Phase 4 under construction.
Savannah Gardens 07
This is the begninning of foundations in the fifth phase.
Savannah Gardens 08
This is part of Phase 4 under construction with a view of portions of Phase 1 and 2 across the street.
Savannah Gardens 09
These are other buildings in Phase 4 during construction.
Savannah Gardens 10
This is one of the Phase 4 buildings under construction. It uses the Zip System sheathing.
Savannah Gardens 11
These are some of the duplexes in Phase 4.
Savannah Gardens 12
This is a closer view of one of the duplex apartments.
Savannah Gardens 13
This is one of the walkways through Savannah Gardens found in Phase 1.
Savannah Gardens 14
This building is the Senior building in Phase 2.
Savannah Gardens 15
This is one of the buildings in Phase 3.
Savannah Gardens 16
This is one of the main buildings located at the central hub of Savannah Gardens.
Savannah Gardens 17
This is some of the apartment buildings in Phase 1.
Savannah Gardens 18
This is a 9 unit apartment building in Phase 1.
Savannah Gardens 19
This is the central intersection at Savannah Gardens.
Savannah Gardens 20
This is the main street in front of Phase 1.
Savannah Gardens 21
This is a kitchen from a duplex apartment.
Savannah Gardens 22
This is a living room from a duplex apartment.
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This is another view of a duplex apartment living room.
Savannah Gardens 24
This is a typical bath at Savannah Gardens.
Savannah Gardens 25
This is a typical master bath at Savannah Gardens.
Savannah Gardens 26
This is the playground from Phase 3 at Savannah Gardens.
Savannah Gardens 27
This is one of the playgrounds from Phase 1 at Savannah Gardens.
Savannah Gardens 28
This is the gazebo next to the playground in Phase 3 of Savannah Gardens.