17 E Perry Street

The James B. Read Building/ The United Building

17 East Perry Street (originally 111 Perry Street) was built around 1854 for the Read family, who lived there from 1854 to 1862. James Bond Read and Jane M.H. Read were the first occupants. James was a physician and Captain of the Irish Volunteers, Company A, 1st Regiment of the Georgia Volunteers.

Throughout its 170-year history, the property changed hands several times. The building underwent many exterior changes, including multiple rear additions and a transition from exposed brick and brownstone to stucco.

In 1969, the property was purchased by Pete Liakakis, a Savannah native who served on the Savannah City Council and the Chatham County Commission. Around this time the second-story porch was altered into a smaller balcony over the front entrance. Pete Liakakis used the building to house a detective agency, a film company, and a property management company, all under the name “United”.

Recently, The Rhino Collective and Ward Architecture and Preservation worked on a Historic Tax Credit project to rehabiliate the building. Architecture 101 was brought onto the team to complete the architectural plans for both the interior and exterior of the building. The plans, approved by the State Historic Preservation office and the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Historic District Board of Review, include the restoration of the original brick exterior, reconstruction of the full-width iron porch, and the rehabilitation of the interior into apartments.

Renovations to the united building

existing front view

existing back view

proposed front view

proposed back view

1871: Detail from the 1871 Bird’s Eye View of Savannah by Ruger is the first illustration of the exterior of the building at 17 East Perry Street, identified with a red arrow. The bottom of the building is not illustrated leaving absent the ground floor and balcony. The fenestration with three punched openings aligning vertically and horizontally is the same general fenestration pattern that remains today.
1891: A detail from Augutus Koch’s Bird’s Eye View of Savannah depicts the building at 17 East Perry Street, identified by the red arrow. It shows a three- story brick building with a pitched roof. It appears to show a band or possibly a balcony spanning the front façade between the first and second floors. It maintains rows of three openings on the front façade with the entrance on the east.
1968: This photograph was part of the initial survey of the Savannah Historic District in 1968. It shows the three-story masonry building with a stucco façade featuring banding between the second and third floors and the projecting cornice on the front at the base of the parapet wall. It features three door openings, with glass and paneled doors, on the first floor topped by tall windows on the second floor and traditional smaller windows on the third floor. A shallow pedimented entablature supported by brackets adorns the primary entrance, which is just below a partial metal balcony. Stucco damage is present on the first floor indicating that some alterations may have occurred.
1974: The Historic Savannah survey book was updated in a second edition published in 1979. This photo, taken by the Van Jones Martin Studio in 1974, was published in that book and shows the exterior at that time. It illustrates the three-story masonry and stucco building have been repaired and renovated since 1968. During that effort the stucco was repaired and/or painted and the doors on the ground floor all replaced with new paired 15- panel doors and six-over-six, double- hung sash wood frame windows in shortened openings. Image courtesy of Georgia Historical Society, no permissions for publication.
2020: This photo, taken by the Chatham County Tax Assessor illustrates the three-story masonry and stucco building in recent history. Very little has changed on the exterior since 1974 with the exception of some flaking paint, stucco failure and vegetation on the parapet.

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MEET THE TEAM

STEVEN G. STOWERS, AIA, LEED AP

ARCHITECT | ARCHITECTURE 101
With 20 years of experience in Savannah and the surrounding Lowcountry, Mr. Stowers brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to any project he works on. A hands on leader, with a talent for complex problem solving, he has worked on almost every type of project type, size, and form. Drawn to Savannah by its historic architecture, Mr. Stowers has worked on numerous historic properties in both Savannah and Beaufort's historic districts. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is integral to Mr. Stowers' approach to architecture. He believes that the greater amount of detail that can be provided within the BIM model, the better understanding the client will have of the project, and the more coordinated the overall design documents. Client focus is the single driving force in the Architecture 101 approach and it all begins with Mr. Stowers. Our number one goal is happy clients.
Alex silva

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER | ARCHITECTURE 101
Alejandro Silva is an accomplished multi-disciplinary artist with over 30 years of experience in the AEC industry. Holding a Master's in Architecture, he has worked extensively in the US and GCC, specializing in architectural design, modular construction, project management, and BIM. Silva's professional background, including 7 years as an Adjunct Professor at SCAD, informs his artistic pursuits. His paintings blend action techniques, cultural influences, and architectural elements, reflecting his diverse skill set. Silva's work seamlessly integrates his expertise in design, technology, and construction to create innovative projects across both architectural and artistic domains.
MORGAN CLEEK

PROJECT MANAGER | ARCHITECTURE 101
Morgan Cleek is a forward-thinking Project Manager who earned her Master's degree in Architecture from SCAD in 2023. With extensive experience in both commercial and residential Morgan brings an innovative and problem- solving approach to her projects. She excels in coordinating and integrating multiple design disciplines, embracing a comprehensive approach to architecture. Morgan's philosophy centers on creating designs that respect and benefit both people and the planet.