Client Restoration Project

River Street Inn

Savannah, GA

93 guestrooms, lobby, restored in 8 days.

Member of Historic Hotels of America.

Northern Lights Restoration was hired to refresh and restore furniture throughout the River Street Inn. We worked on common areas, the elegant reception, and all 93 guest rooms, focusing on pieces like intricate headboards, classic dressers, and ornate side tables. Our goal was to preserve the Inn’s historic charm while meeting the high-quality standards of a modern, exceptional hotel.

The River Street Inn, a member of Historic Hotels of America since 1999, has a history dating back to 1817. Originally built as a cotton warehouse using imported ballast stone, it was one of many similar structures along Savannah’s waterfront, collectively known as “Factor’s Walk.” After the decline of the cotton industry, the area was revitalized, and in 1986, the historic warehouse was renovated into the boutique hotel it is today. Due to its immense popularity, the inn expanded in 1998 to nearly 100 guestrooms connected by a central, ornate staircase, and it remains one of Savannah’s best places to stay.

A round table before and after refinishing

Above: a table before and after refinishing.

Before & After

The side of a dresser before and after refinishing
A tabletop before and after refinishing
A sidetable before and after refinishing
A dresser after refinishing
A round table after refinishing
The main staircase at the River Street Inn
A historic photo of River Street Inn
The fountain at the River Street Inn
Since 2014, Northern Lights Restoration has been the preferred restoration vendor to Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. They have made a visible impact on our member hotels across the country, ranging from intricate armoires in the Garberville treasure Benbow Inn (1926), to the famous Grand Staircase of the Georgian landmark Jekyll Island Club Hotel (1887), to the 98 guestrooms and Tavern on the Green at the Salem staple, the Hawthorne Hotel (1925). In each instance, we have seen our hotels embracing this important element of preservation by using the skills of Northern Lights Restoration to extend the life of their historic pieces.

We are happy to recommend Bob Stephens and his team at Northern Lights Restoration to anyone considering architectural woodwork restoration/ historic preservation project.

See full testimonial

Stephanie Calhoun

Senior Manager, Membership Services & Support, Historic Hotels of America | Historic Hotels Worldwide

A view of the river by the River Street Inn

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Find out how we can help save you time and money by refurbishing your existing furniture.

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