The Savannah Electric Riverside Station plant, a brick behemoth whose twin smokestacks have jutted over the city’s skyline since 1912, once generated power for Savannah’s homes, streetlights, and trolley cars. After it was decommissioned in 2005, the structure became derelict, an empty shell amid the bustle of River Street for more than a decade. Today, it’s the centerpiece of a new entertainment district, the product of a $375 million overhaul led by hotelier and Savannah native Richard Kessler. Spread among three buildings, the ambitious restoration is anchored by a stunning resort-style hotel from Marriott.
The wow factor starts as soon as you step into the lobby, aka Generator Hall, located in the colossal original power-plant building. There, guests are greeted by a life-sized, chrome-dipped dinosaur skeleton (think A Night at the Museum meets Jeff Koons), enormous sparkling geodes, and other unusual artifacts (like the world’s largest copper nugget). These are just a handful of the natural science and Jurassic-era displays scattered throughout the property — a nod to its fossil fuel days. The industrial-cool aesthetic continues into the 419 rooms, some of which boast exposed brick walls, metal beams, and double-height ceilings.
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