
Among the several recent buildings in Savannah employing a traditional vocabulary, the five-story Cay Building exudes the greatest degree of conviction. Carried out by New South Construction Company, this neo-Palladian palazzo, which resembles early-twentieth-century commercial blocks, is characterized by high-quality materials, including limestone and bronze, and fine detailing, such as the street names carved into the corner blocks, sculpted keystones, and boldly projecting cornice. The building, along with the adjacent and more modernist Andaz Hotel (originally Avia Hotel, 2005–2009, Krehbiel Architecture and J. Webb Design and Associates), stands atop Ellis Square’s (2.39) vast underground parking garage, and helps restore the urban enclosure around the square.