The Reserve at Savannah Harbor (circa 2007)

The Reserve at Savannah Harbor is the first residential endeavor on Hutchinson Island, an historic river island, between the Savannah River and the Back River, originally designated by Savannah's founder, James Oglethorpe as a significant asset to his ambitious new city.

Today the island has been master-planned with a unique combination of commercial, recreational and residential developments. The Reserve at Savannah Harbor's 100 acres being the residential component estimated to support a total of 940 residences at built-out. The residences will include a broad selection of both single family detached homes rimming a championship golf course and overlooking the Back River as well as park view townhomes and stylish riverfront condominiums that will blend with the overall historic ambience.

Surrounded on three sides by The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Greenbrier Spa and on the other by The Back River, The Reserve intends to cultivate a laid back lifestyle with the verve of downtown Savannah's National Historic Landmark District. To maintain this vision, an architectural review board will review all residential plans.

There will be only two entry roads to the neighborhood, with 24-hour greeters stations. A private pool and tennis facility is currently being built and will include a fitness center and clubhouse facility for parties and other gatherings.

The infrastructure here has been completed as well as several homes which are now available to tour. City services are provided throughout the community. Chatham Area Transit will provide its services at the point when it is required.

Hutchinson Island and its "reserve" (circa 18th century)

There is much historic significance to The Reserve on Hutchinson Island. General James Oglethorpe, the Founder of the Royal Colony of Georgia, originally proclaimed today's island to be an official reserve. The year was 1733 and this was to be the last of the American Colonies. A long Indian arrow shot to the north of the island laid the older Colony of South Carolina. An arrow shot across the river to the south would land on Yamacraw Bluff, the location for the capitol of the new colony -- now known as Savannah.

Oglethorpe would name the town after the 315-mile long river defining the northern boundary of the colony, a river with numerous Indian names, plus Spanish and French. The last Indian name was adopted by Oglethorpe, coming from an upstream immigrant band of Shawnee Indians known as the Savana. The general and his 112 settlers would become the first citizens of Savannah Town, in the colony chartered by and named for benefactor King George II.

For years, Hutchinson Island would remain as an important "reserve" for the settler's livestock, critical to their survival in the new world. Essential crops, including rice, would also become part of the island's early connection to Savannah Town. In addition to the Reserve, Oglethorpe and the Trustees would also create "Trustee Gardens" on either side of Yamacraw Bluff, to be tilled by early settlers.

The beauty and convenient utility of Hutchinson Island was such that, in 1755, the notoriously greedy Royal Governor John Reynolds usurped ownership of the Island for his personal use, contributing to his being recalled and replaced by the Crown a year later. Even then, the island offered the combined allure of Savannah Town and the country experience that still sets it apart.

The Connection

The quickest way to connect with all the activity on the mesmerizing River Street in Savannah is by the small ferries that shuttle back and forth between Hutchinson Island and the historic downtown. Alternatively, the dramatic Talmadge Bridge, which now connects the island and South Carolina to Savannah, allows residents of The Reserve to live connected lives with both old Savannah Town and "in country" on the island. It is a unique old town and country lifestyle.

Along with Charleston, South Carolina and Williamsburg, Virginia, Savannah is one of America's first planned cities. Oglethorpe personally laid it out in a series of grids that allowed for wide streets connecting shady public squares and parks that served as town meeting places and centers of business. Of his original 24 town squares from the 1733 plans, 21 are still in existence with their grand old town homes, businesses and massive oaks.