Luxury Hotelier Unveils Restoration of 100 Year Old Private Residence, Armstrong-Kessler Mansion
SAVANNAH, Ga., April 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Savannah native and luxury hotelier, Mr. Richard C. Kessler, unveiled the restoration of the most prominent and largest, historic mansion in the sought-after Southern destination, transforming the 1919 Armstrong-Kessler Mansion back to its original grandeur as a private residence. The two-day celebration was commemorated by a ribbon cutting ceremony and black tie gala, "this is a very historic day for me personally and the City of Savannah," said Kessler. "The Armstrong Mansion has been an iconic place, a home, a college, an antique shop and most recently a law firm. Over the past 100 years, the home has never been fully restored until now. It's been a real experience and honor to have the opportunity to bring the building back to life and restore it to its original beauty. I see this as a gift to Savannah."
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, local dignitaries including Mayor Eddie DeLoach, and the hand-selected architecture, design and restoration partners; Chuck Chewning, interior designer and founder of Charles H. Chewning, Christian Sottile, design principal of Sottile & Sottile and former dean of the School of Building Arts at SCAD, were in attendance to honor this monumental vision.
Reminiscent of a Gatsby party, the unveiling celebration continued with a black tie gala, where Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Chief of Staff Tim Flemming and Senator Ben Watson were in attendance. As Kessler is a prominent patron of the arts, musical performances by Jessica Best and Mikki Sodergren, versatile opera singers, Howard Paul, president of Benedetto Guitars and professional guitarist, Chris Pattishall, a rising jazz musician, Randolph Carter Trio and Ike Stubblefield Trio, amongst others, were positioned throughout the home. Under Savannah's southern night sky, guests indulged in decadent cuisine tastings representing six regions from across the world, lead by The Kessler Collection's talented culinary team.
In a city known for it's awe inspiring architecture, George Armstrong had a vision to design and construct one of the most iconic Italian Renaissance Revival mansions within the United States when he commissioned renowned American architect, Henrik Wallin in 1916. The mansion has become the only Savannah home to be listed in the Italian Renaissance Style in the "Field Guide to American Architecture," as a national best-in-class example of its style. The iconic structure has served as a personal residence, the original site of Armstrong College in 1935, a holding of the antique dealer of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," Jim Williams, a law firm of Bouhan, Williams, & Levy and now the personal residence of Mr. Richard C. Kessler, CEO and Chairman of The Kessler Collection hotels.
Keeping true to the home's original plans, Kessler and his assembled team of experts, spent one and a half years restoring each room and outside space to its original purpose. Today the home is 26,100 sq. ft. consisting of 13 bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, four kitchenettes, one large chef kitchen, a library and study, and music conservatory. Sheila Wertimer, a landscape architect from Charleston, S.C., designed expansive Neo-Roman gardens featuring fountains, bronze sculptures, a 65 ft. lap pool and expanded loggia off the carriage house.
A few times a year, the Armstrong-Kessler Mansion will open its door and welcomes guest to host only the most exclusive events. If you are planning such an event, and would like to tour the lavish spaces and magnificent gardens, please schedule an appointment with an event specialist at [email protected] or 912.721.5014 more information about The Armstrong-Kessler Mansion, please visit www.armstrongkesslermansion.com.
FOR MORE MEDIA INFORMATION:
Ashleigh Dellinger
The Zimmerman Agency
850.668.2222
[email protected]
SOURCE Armstrong-Kessler Mansion
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