Touted as a university for creative careers, the Savannah College of Art and Design  (SCAD)  is building a new Montgomery Residence Hall for 500 students along with a 400-space parking lot and a dining hall. Students at the college major in animation, interactive design, game development, motion media design, and visual effects.  “Despite its preference for small class sizes, the school is growing. Each year here at SCAD  there is a waiting list for students who want to live in university provided housing,” Philip Alletto, vice president for Student Success, said.

Formerly home to a carriage manufacturing facility, the site measures 6.5 acres.The new U-shaped Montgomery residence hall will form a new green quad on the urban site and will include study and social lounges, office space, a conference room, and an apartment for the hall director.  A modern design aesthetic is achieved with insulated pre-cast concrete wall panels, glass and steel accents, and generous windows.  Situated in an emerging neighborhood, the Savannah Metropolitan Planning commission approved rezoning the property from light industrial to a residential classification which will allow construction of the new student housing as well as improve the neighborhood. Mackey Mitchell’s project team includes Dan Mitchell, Steve Emer, and Jordan Gatewood.