When it comes to coastal Georgia cities, Savannah isn’t the only place seeing an influx of investment and development momentum right now.
With its historic downtown dotted with new restaurants and watering holes—and newfound status as the busiest U.S. port for automobiles, besting Baltimore—Brunswick has been working to establish itself as an economic comeback story and walkable, linger-worthy destination that’s more than a pitstop along Interstate 95.
A key, two-part component of that comeback recently gained full approval from the Brunswick Historic Preservation Board, clearing the way for construction, according to its development team.
Plans put together by Caliber Capital and Atlanta-based architecture firm Terminus Design Group call for turning an idle corner diagonal from Brunswick City Hall into an adaptive-reuse hotel and retail spaces, with a ground-up new apartment building claiming a surface parking lot behind it.
Caliber’s founder and principal owner, Danny York, says the project in the 500 block of Gloucester Street is expected to cost $16 million. Totaling 25,000 square feet, the two-story, former SunTrust Bank branch would see a boutique hotel on the top floor, with retail below. Behind that, the residential component would include 50 units.
The project’s name, at least for now, is Brunswick Square, though York says that “could change at some point if we come up with something more creative.”
The Brunswick corner and former bank in question, at left, as seen in November. Google Maps
Adaptive-reuse plans for the corner of Gloucester and Reynolds streets in downtown Brunswick. Terminus Design Group; courtesy of Caliber Capital
A gym has committed to leasing 7,800 square feet of the retail space, while the remaining roughly 3,500 square feet will go to either a restaurant or salon. The boutique hotel will be priced at “significantly more affordable” rates than another downtown option, The Kress, according to York.
York says Brunswick Square will mark the first ground-up multifamily development in downtown for many years and that demand is high for quality living options. By his team’s calculations, the full project could generate 200 to 300 daily visits to the area and around $5 million annually in downtown spending.
“I think this [project] will be a major catalyst for the continued success of downtown,” York wrote via email. “Not only will the project create 100 full-time residents, but the gym we’re adding to the project will be the premiere workout facility in Brunswick, offering the best classes, equipment, and personal training in the city and should generate 50 to 100 daily visits.”
How the residential component of Brunswick Square would transform a large surface parking lot. Terminus Design Group; courtesy of Caliber Capital
The 500 block of Gloucester Street in the grid of downtown Brunswick. Google Maps
Chris Hunkele, Terminus Design Group principal, described the mixed-use concept as “urban infill in a relatively small town that hasn’t blown up yet but is seeing considerable investment.” And Hunkele would know, having grown up in Brunswick and attended school a few blocks from the site.
Brunswick’s historic squares, alleys, and English-grid street patterns are identifying elements that were part of General James Oglethorpe’s original plan for the city—echoing the Georgia founder’s designs for Savannah an hour to the north.
“Historically—in my lifetime anyway—Brunswick has been boom and bust and took a big hit during the recession,” says Hunkele. “It started to recover just before COVID, and there’s been a considerable amount of investment from the local community since then.
“It’s exciting to see old buildings coming back to life,” Hunkele continued. “There’s a great stock of historic Main Street-type buildings, and there’s a ton of value to be had.”
Demolition of a small bank teller building will clear space for apartment amenities and communal greenspace "to establish a connection to the network of historic squares which define the character of Downtown Brunswick," per architects.
Terminus Design Group; courtesy of Caliber Capital
Each component of Brunswick Square has proper zoning in place, and developers aren’t seeking any variances, though plans still need to be finalized before paperwork for building permits is filed, says York.
York says the goal is to break ground on Brunswick Square in June—and to deliver the hotel and retail component eight months after that. The multifamily residential component could also be finished quickly, opening in summer 2026, pending delay, he says.
York moved to nearby St. Simons Island in 2021 and bought his first investment property—situated next door to the former bank—the following year. That property “performed extremely well,” lending him confidence to seek another bet downtown, he says.
“Brunswick has a lot going for it,” York notes. “The Port has grown significantly over the past few years, we got a Buc-ee’s, it’s a great launch point for Jekyll [Island], St.Simons, Cumberland, and Sea Island—all solid tourist options. It’s close to beaches, rivers, and fun waterfront activities.”
Find more context and imagery for the Brunswick proposal in the gallery above—no gas money required.
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