Savannah
- The Savannah College of Art and Design opened the new SCAD Museum of Art (912.525.7191; www.scadmoa.org) following a $26 million rehabilitation project that added 65,000 square feet to the original museum, which is situated inside the Central of Georgia Railroad Depot, built in 1863. A 250-seat theater hosts lectures, classes and screenings.
- A half-mile from the SCAD museum, the Ships of the Sea (912.232.1511; www.shipsofthesea.org) museum installed a new outdoor venue for events, concerts and receptions. Founded in 1966, the museum celebrates the era of American maritime trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. The historic William Scarbrough House property was already home to the largest walled gardens in the city’s Historic District and the expansion doubled the available space. Inside the North Garden is the roofed, open-air Assembly Room, which can accommodate 550 guests.
- Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa (912.201.2000; www.westin.com/savannah) completed a $10 million renovation, unveiling updated guest rooms, meeting facilities, restaurants and public spaces, and a newly reimagined design scheme. The Westin offers 35,000 square feet of event space and is adjacent to the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.
Brunswick
- Ongoing renovations of historic buildings and public squares are under way in Old Town Brunswick, including the return of the original sign atop the Historic Ritz Theater (912.262.6934; www.goldenislesarts.com) and the preservation of many city squares by the Signature Squares of Brunswick group.
The Golden Isles
- The new 128,000-square-foot Jekyll Island Convention Center (912.635.4157; www.jekyllislandconventioncenter.com) was built in less than two years at a cost of approximately $39.6 million. The center offers 78,000 square feet of meeting space, welcoming groups of up to 6,450 delegates. Environmentally sensitive design touches include a reflective roof and water-efficient landscaping. Adjacent to the convention center campus, a 135-room Hyatt Place (www.hyatt.com) is scheduled to open in 2013. A 200-room Westin (www.starwoodhotels.com) and 39 new cottage suites at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel (www.jekyllclub.com) are scheduled to open by 2014. Two new retail buildings are also being constructed.