Victorian District Homes for Sale

Savannah’s Victorian Historic District is one of a number of Historic Districts in and around Downtown Savannah. The true Victorian District runs from the south side of Gwinnett Street to Anderson Street, bordered by MLK and Broad Street to the west and east, respectively. South of the Victorian District is the Thomas Square Historic District; a much larger district which includes Victorian-era homes and is thus sometimes also erroneously included when people speak generically about the “Victorian District.”

Following the Civil War, crowded living conditions downtown and technological advances, such as paved streets, a streetcar system, and electricity, promoted the development of suburban residences. When a streetcar system was installed in 1869 real estate developers followed its tracks, building inexpensive frame houses in the southern edges of the city. Highly detailed Victorian and Queen Anne Victorian homes, constructed between 1870 and 1910, were built in a 50-block division, 165-acre neighborhood south of the Savannah Landmark Historic District.

Home Styles in the Victorian District

The wood frame houses dating from the 1870s and 1880s in particular are a mixture of several Victorian styles of architecture. Some of the best examples of these are the Carpenter Box style houses on West Gwinnett Street embellished with ornate brackets and cornices, the Queen Anne style mansion at the corner of Whitaker and Gwinnett, and the imposing Victorian Telfair Hospital on Park Avenue. Nineteenth century developers did not continue Oglethorpe’s city plan of squares into the southern reaches of the city.

Rather, the streets were arranged on a grid pattern and the squares replaced with a green planting area between the sidewalk and street and a small garden in front of each house. Frame construction abounds in the Victorian District, as the fire ordinance prohibiting frame buildings in the older sections of the city did not extend to this area. city. The restoration of this famous area began in the late 1960s but escalated from 1980 to the 1990s and the area was designated a National Register District in 1974, and is bounded by Gwinnett Street on the north, Anderson Lane on the south, East Broad Street, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard on the west.


FEATURED LISTING

Forsyth Park Estate – Rare Opportunity To Own Half a City Block Overlooking Forsyth Park

It’s not often that a unique property such as the Forsyth Park Estate becomes available in the heart of Historic Downtown Savannah. This beautiful Victorian compound overlooks the grand jewel of Savannah, Forsyth Park. With a grouping of 5 unique buildings, strong vacation rental income history, courtyard gardens, and 7 off street parking spaces, this residence has plenty to offer.

Things To Do

Coffee Shops, Dining, Parks, and more...

Forsyth Park, Savannah’s version of Central Park, is partly situated in the Victorian District and is a major draw for the district’s residents. Just about any home in the Victorian District is within walking distance of River Street, the furthest point downtown, so its location is ideal. In fact, the Victorian District is one of Savannah’s best walking neighborhoods and is ranked “Very Walkable” by WalkScore.com.

As such, one of the Victorian District’s strongest features is its proximity to all things Savannah. River Street, famous for its St. Patrick’s Day parade, restaurants and bars is just one mile away. So is Broughton Street, Savannah’s downtown retail drag which boasts shops like Marc Jacobs, Paris Market, Kate Spade and Urban Outfitters. The green jewel that serves as centerpiece to the district is Forsyth Park, renowned for its gorgeous live oaks, Ultimate Frisbee events, Civil War monument and ornate Gilded Age fountain. The south end of the park is the epicenter of the Victorian district and is home to the Sentient Bean coffee shop, Savannah’s home-brewed favorite, as well as Brighter Day health food store, local 1110 restaurant and Betty Bombers café at the American Legion Hall. Retail grocery stores, delis, specialty markets and cafes all abound here- all in walking distance and each one vibrant as the ‘painted ladies’ of the Victorian District themselves.