Savannah, GA
Build & Renovation, Historical

Plant Riverside Hotel – River Street Addition & Historic Renovation

A riverside plaza in front of modern brick buildings.

C. Merrill Construction played a vital role in the redevelopment of the historic power plant into the renowned Plant Riverside Hotel on Savannah’s iconic River Street. This complex consists of five buildings featuring a mix of hotel rooms, restaurants, shops, rooftop bars, a music venue, and other amenities blending historic charm with modern luxury. C. Merrill Construction also delivered design-build construction for several retail shops on the first floor, including Byrd Cookie, Southern Tide, and Outside Brands, contributing to the vibrant commercial environment of the hotel. Additionally, we assisted the construction of the Savannah Tequila Company—a unique restaurant and rooftop venue that adds to the lively, upscale atmosphere of the development. While C. Merrill Construction did not provide design-build services for the hotel rooms themselves, we were heavily involved in many other critical aspects of the project, including historically sensitive renovations within the old power plant structure.

Throughout the project, we worked closely with the Kessler Group and Hunt Construction, providing construction and subcontracting services that ensure quality and efficiency across multiple facets of the development. Our design-build scope included all fountains on the property, highlighted by a spectacular interactive water feature with 40 water jets synchronized to a light and music show, along with two additional fountains that enhance the riverfront ambiance. The project also featured an extension to River Street Walk, improving public access and enhancing the riverfront experience. We are proud to have contributed to this transformative project that revitalizes a historic landmark and elevates Savannah’s hospitality and entertainment scene.

A bar with red metal stools lined up along a wooden counter. Colorful mural art covers the walls, and shelves with bottles hang above the bar.
    A red brick building with arched windows and storefronts lines a cobblestone street on a sunny day, with green banners hanging from a black lamppost and clear blue sky above. A neatly organized retail store with racks of clothing, sunglasses display, wooden shelves, and various merchandise. Warm lighting and large windows create a welcoming atmosphere. A brightly lit boutique stores displaying hats, bags, clothing, and accessories on racks and shelves. The decor is beach-themed, with wooden accents, a surfboard, and a sign reading Lifestyle on the back wall. A bright cookie shop features a red truck display loaded with glass jars of cookies, a rotating rack with cookie boxes, and large windows showing palm trees outside. Shelves of packaged cookies line the back wall. A well-lit gourmet shop interior with round shelves displaying packaged goods, racks with books and products on the right, and large windows and framed photos on the back wall. A bright, inviting cookie shop with glass jars of cookies on a wooden counter, shelves of packaged goods along the walls, and a central display table under a chandelier. Signs offer free samples and highlight various cookie flavors. A building with glass windows. A building with large windows and a sign reading “PLANT RIVERSIDE” on the roof, set against a clear blue sky, with palm trees and decorative lamp posts in the foreground. A sunny riverside promenade with red brick walkway, outdoor seating, historic brick buildings, and two tall smokestacks under a clear blue sky. A plaza with water fountains shooting up from the ground, rows of white chairs set up on a lawn, palm trees, and modern buildings under a clear blue sky. A brick plaza with water fountains, palm trees, and a line of white chairs sits beside a large historic building near a waterfront under a clear blue sky. A sunny street view of the Plant Riverside District with white and glass buildings, brick walls, palm trees, street lamps, and a pedestrian crossing sign. White building with two tall smokestacks stands behind older brick buildings on a sunny day, with a clear blue sky and tree-lined, empty street in the foreground. A circular brick fountain with water jets is in a sunny plaza, surrounded by palm trees, potted plants, and modern brick and glass buildings with shops and outdoor steps in the background. A restaurant interior with blue columns, patterned bench seating, green chairs, set tables, and a neon sign reading Tequila Co. near an open kitchen. Building with large windows and balconies, featuring a patio area lined with white planters filled with green plants. The entrance has wooden accents and string lights above. A brick building with large windows stands behind a fountain featuring a bronze statue of a child. Palm trees and green shrubs decorate the fountain area, which is bordered by stone and brickwork. A brick building with balconies and large windows stands along a cobblestone walkway lined with palm trees, greenery, and a small fountain. A few people walk near the shops on a bright, sunny day. Aerial view of a circular fountain with water jets surrounded by palm trees and benches in a brick-paved plaza, with a person walking nearby and red-roofed buildings on either side.

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