Downtown Brunswick - the city by the sea

To Glynn County natives, Downtown Historic Brunswick has been “on the verge” of revitalization for what feels like forever. So many people have been waiting decades for Old Town to live up to its true potential. Historic Brunswick is the only downtown area in the Golden Isles and is the perfect midway point between Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island.

Thanks to the investment of a few new believers and the fortitude of several down town veterans, the dream is finally becoming a reality. In the past few years, we have seen several new businesses such as Silver Bluff Brewing Company, Reid’s Apothecary, and Richland Rum as well as many new retail shops like Southern Hanger. The Wick brought the innovative shared work space concept to three downtown buildings which collectively offers 100 offices. Although some have remained skeptical, these successes have proven what many already knew: people want to spend time downtown. They just needed a few more good reasons to be here.

Every good downtown needs a healthy mix of commercial and residential. Besides the rows and rows of historic Victorian, Edwardian, craftsman, and colonial homes being renovated and filled with new families in the historic district, we are also seeing urban housing popping up to meet the demand of Brunswick’s growing desire to be downtown. As a result of the growing downtown community, PorchFest Brunswick was born and annually transformsporches into stages and strangers into friends through a free neighborhood musical celebration.

The Port City Lofts in the Leotis Building were a welcome addition. The twelve units were leased immediately following their completion. The Liberty Building was just completed in the spring, and its ten luxury loft apartments are also fully leased. The Kress Building is predicted to open its doors to the public in December and will feature a twelve room all-suite boutique hotel, rock climbing gym, and a rooftop restaurant and bar which will offer views of downtown's waterfront.

The proof of growth is in the numbers. Over the past three years, over twelve buildings have been purchased by five major investors. These shareholders were not investing and holding, waiting for the market to rise. They are all in, investing millions into the revitalization of these buildings thus bringing the variety of options we now have.

We have learned that activity breeds activity. Several new investors that were waiting in the wings are now showing interest in the remaining buildings that are awaiting their moment to be a part of this new birth. We are in great anticipation for all of the surprises Downtown Brunswick has in store for us.