EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Savannah has long been a leader in the preservation of historic structures.
Her magnificent architectural heritage is not only a source of civic pride, but it has become an attraction for tourists from around the world. Unfortunately, the Gwinnett Street Station, or the “Old Savannah Waterworks” pump house, located at the corner of West Gwinnett Street at Stiles Avenue, suffers from abuse and obscurity. Built as “one of the best and most complete water works of its size in the country,” the once “quite handsome and imposing structure” is today in the active throes of decay. What remains of this engineering masterpiece is a dilapidated shell, holding fast to remnants of its past glory while gallantly fighting against the effects of Mother Nature, teetering on the brink of demolition by neglect…
Her magnificent architectural heritage is not only a source of civic pride, but it has become an attraction for tourists from around the world. Unfortunately, the Gwinnett Street Station, or the “Old Savannah Waterworks” pump house, located at the corner of West Gwinnett Street at Stiles Avenue, suffers from abuse and obscurity. Built as “one of the best and most complete water works of its size in the country,” the once “quite handsome and imposing structure” is today in the active throes of decay. What remains of this engineering masterpiece is a dilapidated shell, holding fast to remnants of its past glory while gallantly fighting against the effects of Mother Nature, teetering on the brink of demolition by neglect…
The goal of this project is to reverse the ravages of time through a three-fold plan of attack:
(1) stabilization of the structure to prevent further decay and protect from total loss;
(2) renovate using appropriate historic materials and building technologies; and
(3) adaptively re-use, thus breathing new life into a significant nineteenth-century structure.
(1) stabilization of the structure to prevent further decay and protect from total loss;
(2) renovate using appropriate historic materials and building technologies; and
(3) adaptively re-use, thus breathing new life into a significant nineteenth-century structure.
Old Savannah Water Works, c. 1900
West Gwinnett Street and Stiles Avenue, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia
Courtesy of City of Savannah, Georgia Research Library and Municipal Archives
West Gwinnett Street and Stiles Avenue, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia
Courtesy of City of Savannah, Georgia Research Library and Municipal Archives
Terra Cotta Window Spandrel
Photographed by Author
Photographed by Author
Blueprint detail, brick, terra cotta details
Thomas T. Johnston, Civil Engineer
Courtesy of City of Savannah, Georgia Research Library and Municipal Archives
Thomas T. Johnston, Civil Engineer
Courtesy of City of Savannah, Georgia Research Library and Municipal Archives
