On a busy corner in downtown Savannah, a 1961 bank has reopened its doors with a very different purpose. Municipal Grand is now a 44 room hotel that keeps its mid-century identity front and center while welcoming locals and visitors into a new kind of city experience. Designed by AAmp Studio, the transformation preserves what made the building distinctive and carefully layers in warmth, texture, and social energy.
A Modernist Landmark Preserved
Municipal Grand occupies the former First Federal Savings and Loan Association building, a six story modernist structure completed by local architects Levy and Kiley. Its grey granite walls, white concrete framing, and blue mosaic tile established a strong architectural presence.
As a protected landmark, the building required a light touch. AAmp Studio worked alongside preservation specialists to reveal and restore original elements rather than replace them, ensuring the original structure remains clearly legible.
New interventions were designed to sit beside the original architecture without imitation. Hard edges are softened with warmer tones, tactile materials, and curved forms that introduce contrast while respecting the building’s rectilinear bones.
Opening the Building Back to the Street
The relationship between the building and the street was one of the first areas to change. What was once an austere entrance beneath an existing canopy is now moderated by lighting, seating, and planters.
Large floor to ceiling windows blur the boundary between inside and out. Guests can enter directly from Broughton Street or arrive via a quieter valet entrance around the corner on Abercorn Street.
A Lobby Designed Around the Bar
Inside, the lobby opens into a double height space that immediately sets the tone. An expansive bar anchors the room, surrounded by a mix of seating designed for dining, drinks, and lingering conversations.
The bar extends into the space in a smooth semicircle, creating a natural gathering point visible from the entry. Rounded banquettes, flexible seating, and planted edges soften the geometry and encourage guests to settle in, whether for a quick drink or a longer stay.
Original blue mosaic tiles still wrap the columns and mezzanine wall, while restored 2×2 grid light fixtures reinforce the building’s mid-century character. The space balances historic clarity with a new sense of softness and flow.
Original Staircases That Still Lead the Way
Original staircases connect the lobby, mezzanine, and basement, maintaining the building’s historic circulation patterns while guiding guests through layered experiences.
Looking Down Into the Social Heart
The mezzanine level overlooks the lobby and continues the conversation between past and present. A custom carpet inspired by Savannah’s gardens appears throughout public spaces, subtly linking interior movement to the city outside.
From Public Energy to Private Calm
Moving away from the public areas, circulation shifts in tone. AAmp designed a second custom carpet to signal the transition into quieter guest room corridors.
Quiet Rooms Shaped by Nordic Modernism
Guest rooms extend from the mezzanine through the sixth floor and come in five configurations. These spaces lean into a quieter Nordic modern influence, drawing from Finnish design references.
Each room begins with a green vestibule that leads to a bathroom with curved shower entries, terrazzo floors, red marble counters, and brass fixtures. Beyond, millwork thresholds open into sleeping and lounging areas.
Custom headboards, banquette seating, and integrated bar setups reflect the hospitality focus of the hotel. Select fifth floor rooms include private terraces overlooking Broughton Street, with the option to combine multiple rooms for group stays.
Above the City, a Rooftop Made for Lingering
The rooftop introduces a lighter, open air counterpart to the social spaces below. Guests arrive at a compact bar known as Sun Club, where drinks are picked up before moving outward toward the pool.
The swimming pool anchors the roof, wrapped by terraced lounge seating that encourages guests to linger. From this level, views stretch across Savannah’s parks, church spires, and working port, placing the city itself firmly in the experience.
Material choices subtly reference the building’s history. Azure zellige tile lines the pool retaining wall, calling back to the original blue mosaic tile found throughout the hotel. Lush plantings surround the space, reinforcing the tropical modern influences seen in the lobby while reflecting Savannah’s verdant landscape.
A Hidden Bar Below Street Level
Below street level, Hot Eye offers a very different atmosphere. Accessed through a private alley entrance, the cocktail bar is intimate and moody.
Dark terrazzo, deep stained wood, and red hues define the space. Snug booths and low lighting create a neighborhood bar feel tucked beneath the hotel.
Municipal Grand shows how preservation and hospitality can move together. By restoring a modernist landmark and carefully layering in new experiences, AAmp Studio has created a hotel that feels rooted in Savannah while actively participating in its daily life.