Choate Construction Company is honored to announce two significant projects have earned Historic Preservation Awards, presented by the Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF). 38^th Street School and Darling Oyster Bar were recognized for the excellence demonstrated in construction and the contributions of key stakeholders that further the preservation of Savannah’s rich history.

“The beauty of historic renovations is that no matter how many you’ve worked on in the past, there are always new treasures and invigorating challenges waiting for you in the next project,” shares Robbie Stewart, Project Executive for Choate Construction’s Interiors Division. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to work with a strong network of talented partners to preserve our local history, help revitalize these neighborhoods, and bring these structures back to life in a way that honors their history and brings value to the Savannah community.”

38^th Street School

Choate partners with Cabretta Capital, LS3P Associates LTD, Tharpe Engineering Group, and Ward Architecture + Preservation on the historic renovation and preservation of the 100-year-old school in Savannah’s Streetcar District. The adaptive reuse project transforms the two-story building and partial basement into 27 boutique apartments, while preserving the historical features of the building, including the original wood floors, tongue and groove ceilings, exterior stucco, exterior metal fascia trim, the remaining original entry windows, doors and transoms, interior plaster, interior trim and wainscoting, exterior columns, and masonry walls, in addition to repurposing the school’s doors and chalkboards.

The Choate team mobilized in January 2022 with the demolition of the building’s non-historic materials, including all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, windows, tiling, various lighting fixtures, and chain-link fences. Completed in December, this renovation included new partitions and finishes for the apartments, newly installed site utilities, and new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems.

Read more about this project here.

The Darling Oyster Bar

Choate partners with B&B Savannah, LLC and Lynch Associates Architects, and Tharpe Engineering Group to convert 27^th Montgomery Street into Darling Oyster Bar. The owners expand their hit restaurant from Charleston, SC to the Hostess City of the South in the City’s iconic City Market area. Constructed in the 1800s, this 130-year-old historic building has been integral to the development of Savannah’s community, serving the area as a cigar factory, boarding house, and antique store. The adaptive reuse and historic renovation process of this project will bring community residents and visitors a vibrant dining destination, complete with two full-service bars, a raw bar, and ample dining space with private dining options on the first and second floors.

In addition to preserving much of the building’s original brick and wood features, the main dining room will showcase a dramatic, two-story ceiling that mimics the inside of a wooden ship through high-quality carpentry. Complete restoration of the exterior includes masonry and stucco repairs, as well as new mahogany and steel storefront systems. Due to the age of the building and lack of straight lines or leveling, nearly every aspect has to be customized to fit the existing space properly, including windows, MEP systems, flooring, and custom carpentry.

Read more about this project here.

About Choate Construction Company
Choate Construction Company is one of the largest nationally recognized general contractors in the southeast with offices in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Nashville, Raleigh, and Savannah. Founded in 1989, 100% employee-owned Choate Construction specializes in both ground-up and interior construction, believing success is driven by its relationships and reputation. Choate has built a resume of projects large and small, across the nation in multiple market sectors. From its innovative OneLife safety program to its efforts to “Build Up” the communities in which it serves, the heart of Choate is its people. Please visit www.choateco.com for more information.

About Cabretta Capital Corporation
Cabretta Capital We are a specialty finance firm based in Savannah, Georgia with expertise in structured tax credit equity and Opportunity Zone Funds. Various government programs produce tax credits that can be monetized through public and private partnership. Cabretta monetizes these credits to create equity for qualifying ventures. Please visit https://www.cabrettacapital.com for more information.

About LS3P Associates LTD
LS3P is a multi-disciplinary firm offering architecture, interiors, and planning services to a wide variety of clients nationwide. In its commitment to the Southeast, LS3P creates architecture that enriches community through a culture of design excellence, expertise, innovation, and collaborative engagement. Please visit https://www.ls3p.com/ for more information.

About Tharpe Engineering Group
Tharpe Engineering Group provides innovative, yet practical, structural engineering services for a broad range of new construction and renovation projects. We serve architects, owners, developers, and contractors in a wide variety of market sectors. Please visit https://tharpeengineering.com/ for more information.

About Ward Architecture + Preservation
Ward Architecture + Preservation specializes in the preservation planning and historic rehabilitation of residential and commercial properties throughout the Southeast, additionally offering services for new construction, historic rehabilitation tax incentive certification, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Please visit https://www.wardarch.com/ for more information.

About Lynch Associates Architects
Lynch Associates Architects is a full-service architecture firm in Savannah, Georgia specializing in commercial and residential architecture, reuse, and preservation. The firm was founded on the fundamental principle that the greatest contribution of architecture is to strengthen and vitalize communities. Please visit https://www.lyncharch.com/ for more information.