9 Savannah Squareside Homes That Feel Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale
Savannah, Georgia is home to some of the most enchanting architecture in America, with the Squareside district boasting truly magical residences. As a home décor enthusiast who’s spent years wandering these charming streets, I’ve fallen head over heels for these storybook dwellings. Join me on a whimsical tour of nine homes that will have you checking for fairy godmothers and glass slippers on their doorsteps!
1. The Moss-Draped Gingerbread Cottage
Oh. My. Goodness. The first time I stumbled upon this Victorian beauty on Jones Street, I nearly spilled my sweet tea! Spanish moss dangles from ancient oaks surrounding this confection of a home, with its ornate trim resembling delicate frosting.
The original owner was apparently a baker, which explains the whimsical cookie-cutter details along the eaves. My favorite feature? Those candy-colored stained glass windows that cast rainbow pools across the veranda in the afternoon light.
2. The Turret Tower Townhouse
Standing tall and proud on Abercorn Street, this slender townhome boasts the most adorable fairy tale turret you’ll ever lay eyes on. I’ve fantasized about sitting up there with a good book at least a thousand times!
Rumor has it a sea captain built this place so his wife could watch for his ship returning to port. The spiral staircase inside winds up like a nautilus shell, and the copper roof has developed the most gorgeous green patina over the centuries.
3. The Secret Garden Bungalow
Tucked behind a wall of climbing roses and wrought iron, this hidden gem nearly made me gasp when I first discovered it. You literally can’t see it from the street; you have to know about the tiny arched wooden door in the garden wall!
The cottage itself is modest in size but extraordinary in charm. Wisteria climbs the chimney, and stepping stones lead through a garden that would make Frances Hodgson Burnett swoon. The current owner, an elderly botanist, has created what locals call “the eighth wonder of Savannah.”
4. The Mermaid’s Maritime Manor
Holy shipwrecks, Batman! This riverside beauty had me at hello with its porthole windows and ship’s wheel door knocker. The owner, a retired sea captain (I’m sensing a nautical theme in this neighborhood), transformed this 1880s home into a maritime fantasy.
Carved mermaids grace the porch columns, while the railing resembles rolling waves. Inside; and yes, I finagled an invitation, the floors are crafted from reclaimed ship decking, complete with authentic salt-weathered patina. My inner pirate absolutely refuses to leave whenever I visit!
5. The Painted Lady’s Parasol
Color me obsessed with this rainbow explosion on Whitaker Street! Unlike Savannah’s typically reserved palette, this Victorian dazzler flaunts seven different hues that had my camera working overtime. The scalloped trim resembles the edge of a fancy parasol, hence my nickname for this beauty.
The current owners, a pair of artists, hand-mixed each paint color to match flowers from their garden. My decorating tip: if you’re going multi-color, follow their lead and choose a unifying element; theirs is a consistent cream trim that ties everything together like a perfectly wrapped gift.
6. The Clockmaker’s Cottage
Time literally stands still at this quirky treasure on Price Street! Built by a master clockmaker in 1887, this cottage features, wait for it, an actual working clock face integrated into the front gable. I nearly broke my neck doing a double-take the first time I walked past.
The hour chimes still ring out across the square, though thankfully they stop at night. My favorite touch? The minute and hour hand doorknobs on the front door. The current owner winds the mechanism weekly, maintaining a tradition that’s over 130 years old!
7. The Bookworm’s Brownstone
Calling all fellow bibliophiles! This narrow brownstone on Gaston Street made my inner bookworm squeal with delight. The façade features stone carvings of open books, with famous literary quotes etched beneath each window.
Legend has it a 19th-century publisher built this as a wedding gift for his novelist wife. The library inside spans three floors, connected by a rolling ladder system that would make Belle from Beauty and the Beast faint with joy. I’ve been angling for a dinner invitation for years just to browse those shelves!
8. The Honeybee Haven
Buzz-worthy doesn’t begin to describe this hexagonal wonder on Habersham Street! Designed by an eccentric apiarist in the early 1900s, the entire home mimics a beehive, from its six-sided structure to the honeycomb-patterned windows.
Golden yellow paint with amber trim completes the honey-dipped look. The garden? Absolutely dripping with bee-friendly flowers year-round. As someone who’s killed every plant I’ve ever owned, I’m in awe of the current owner’s commitment to maintaining the original landscape design that keeps local pollinators fat and happy.
9. The Moonlight Magnolia Mansion
Last but certainly not least, this grand dame on Barnard Street literally stops traffic with its otherworldly glow. The white marble exterior reflects moonlight so dramatically that locals swear it seems illuminated from within on clear nights.
Four massive magnolia trees stand sentinel at each corner, their glossy leaves creating shadow patterns that dance across the façade. What makes it truly fairy tale-esque? The hidden reflecting pool in the courtyard doubles as a wishing well, complete with twinkling underwater lights. According to neighborhood gossip, three marriage proposals happen there every month!
