Thomas Square District
About thomas square District
There are neighborhoods people visit. Then there are neighborhoods people fall in love with and never quite leave. Savannah’s Landmark Historic District tends to do the second thing. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, it covers roughly 2.2 square miles in the heart of downtown — bounded by the Savannah River to the north, E. Broad Street to the east, Gwinnett Street to the south, and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the west. It’s one of the largest urban historic preservation districts in the United States, and the city’s original grid layout — designed by General James Oglethorpe in 1733 — is still intact That means 22 public squares, centuries-old architecture, cobblestone streets, and live oaks draped in Spanish moss, all within walking distance of each other.
The Historic District’s housing stock is genuinely varied: restored 18th and 19th-century townhomes, freestanding mansions, carriage houses converted into stunning residences, and condos carved from old warehouses and commercial buildings along the riverfront. Entry points exist, but the neighborhood skews toward the higher end — especially for fully restored properties and anything with a river view. Demand is steady and consistent, driven by professionals, retirees, SCAD-affiliated buyers, and second-home purchasers. One thing worth noting: owning in a National Historic Landmark district comes with design guidelines that govern exterior changes. That’s actually a feature, not a bug — it’s what keeps the neighborhood looking the way it does. [cite_start]A knowledgeable local agent and appraiser is genuinely valuable here
The Homes
You’re walking distance from everything that makes Savannah famous: Forsyth Park’s iconic fountain, River Street’s converted cotton warehouses, Broughton Street’s mix of local boutiques and national shops, City Market’s live music and outdoor dining, the Telfair Museums, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and enough restaurants, galleries, and coffee shops to keep you busy for years. The district comes alive differently depending on where you are. The northern section near River Street has more energy — bars, hotels, tourist activity. The southern end, closer to Forsyth Park, is quieter and more residential. [cite_start]It feels like a neighborhood rather than a destination, and many residents prefer it for exactly that reason
The Amenities & Character
Living here means your daily walk is someone else’s bucket list vacation. That’s a trade-off worth understanding. During St. Patrick’s Day, the Savannah Music Festival, and other major events, the district buzzes with visitors. On a quiet Tuesday morning in October, those same squares are almost entirely yours. [cite_start]For the right buyer, there’s nowhere else quite like it.
The Lifestyle
Thinking about making the Historic District home?
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