Olde Pink House

Olde Pink House

One of the oldest surviving structures in Savannah, The Olde Pink House is a distinguished brick Georgian mansion constructed in 1771 as the residence of James Habersham Jr., a prominent early cotton factor and Revolutionary-era figure. Originally intended to feature a red brick exterior, the building’s now-iconic pink hue emerged unintentionally when the brick was plastered over during construction and began to bleed through the finish. Repeated attempts to conceal the color with white paint proved temporary, and it was not until a later owner embraced the phenomenon—painting the house pink—that the building acquired its enduring name.

In 2002, Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA was commissioned to design a complete restoration and addition on the South elevation which would incorporate a ballroom with 16-foot ceilings and Palladian windows, a paneled dining room with a private balcony, an expanded two story kitchen, and a new bar with 13-foot tall French doors that open onto the sidewalk for more dining. As one of the oldest houses in Savannah, the architectural restrictions dictated that it not only maintain an integral component of the original building, but that it capture the quality of an authentic Savannah experience and bring energy to the space.  

Over the course of its storied history, the structure has served a variety of roles, including Savannah’s first bank in 1789, a boarding house, tea room, and antique shop, before ultimately being transformed into a restaurant in 1971.

In 2002, Mark Finlay Architects was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive restoration and expansion of the property. Working closely with the Savannah Historical Society and the Architectural Review Board, the firm carefully restored the original building while introducing a substantial addition along the south elevation. Designed to emulate a carriage house for the property, the addition includes a 16-foot-high ballroom with Palladian windows, a paneled dining room with a private balcony, an expanded two-story kitchen, and a new bar defined by 13-foot-tall French doors that open directly onto the sidewalk.

The project required a delicate balance between preservation and adaptation—maintaining the architectural integrity and historic character of the circa-1771 structure while enhancing its functionality as a modern, high-capacity restaurant. Completed over five years, the 8,941-square-foot expansion effectively doubled the building’s size to accommodate roughly 400 seats.

Today, The Olde Pink House remains a vibrant cultural landmark at 23 Abercorn Street, embodying the layered history of Savannah while offering an authentic and immersive Southern experience.

Photography: Steven Brooke
Recognition: Historic Savannah Foundation Preservation Award Winner