Parks & Recreation
Forsyth Fort Visitor Complex & Band Shell
City Architect - Savannah, Georgia
Hunter Photography(www.hunterphotography.net)
Savannah, Georgia
Thomas H. Perdue, Architect
7,500 Completed Square Feet
$6.5 Million
The grand opening of Savannah's long awaited Forsyth Fort Visitor Center Complex took place on Friday, February 12, 2010, heralded as "the brand new architectural beauty in Forsyth Park."*
Thomas H. Perdue, Architect
7,500 Completed Square Feet
$6.5 Million
The grand opening of Savannah's long awaited Forsyth Fort Visitor Center Complex took place on Friday, February 12, 2010, heralded as "the brand new architectural beauty in Forsyth Park."*
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Grand Opening celebration. (Photo by savannahnow.com)
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Richard Kessler, chairman and CEO of The Kessler Enterprise Inc. (The Kessler Collection), owner of the Mansion on Forsyth Park and operator of the new complex's Forsyth Fort Café, referred to the project as the finest piece of architecture in Savannah. "The restored fort in Forsyth Park serves as a vital symbol for 21st-century Savannah," Kessler said. "It truly blends the best of the city's past and future. We're delighted to see the fort assume new life at the heart of Forsyth Park."**
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History
Forsyth Fort was designed by Jacksonville architectural engineer J.M. Braxton in 1912 and completed in 1915 for the Georgia National Guard. The historic fort site in Forsyth Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the United States, was ultimately selected as the location for a much needed multipurpose facility to offer needed public restrooms in the park, a visitor center, dining amenities, and a location for open air concerts.
In 2000 the county put the city of Savannah in charge of the band shell and released the funds. Upon joining the city of Savannah Building & Grounds Department as City Architect in 2001 Perdue commenced design of the new complex. Groundbreaking finally took place in 2004, and it was a troubled project throughout construction, so much so that after leaving the city as Architect in 2008, Perdue continued to serve as a construction management consultant to ensure the project was completed successfully.
In 2000 the county put the city of Savannah in charge of the band shell and released the funds. Upon joining the city of Savannah Building & Grounds Department as City Architect in 2001 Perdue commenced design of the new complex. Groundbreaking finally took place in 2004, and it was a troubled project throughout construction, so much so that after leaving the city as Architect in 2008, Perdue continued to serve as a construction management consultant to ensure the project was completed successfully.
The Project
Renovation and additions to the existing 7,000 square foot facility include the combined Visitor Center/Starbucks and Forsyth Park Café, and the only public restrooms in the park, considered to be the most attractive public facilities in the city, or in the words of a blogger following the project, "Best new public ladies room in Savannah, hands down."***
The most striking feature of the complex--and one of the most disputed--is the permanent retractable band shell. The impressive fabric tensile structure, attractive stage design with water features and multi-color lighting will be a popular location for events and free concerts in the park.
The most striking feature of the complex--and one of the most disputed--is the permanent retractable band shell. The impressive fabric tensile structure, attractive stage design with water features and multi-color lighting will be a popular location for events and free concerts in the park.