Abercorn Common

Abercorn Common is a shopping center on Savannah's Southside in Georgia, United States. The property originated in 1968 as Abercorn Plaza, a comparatively small neighborhood retail center opened after Abercorn Street was extended into the Abercorn Expressway corridor. Its original footprint was approximately 38,000 square feet, with M&M, the Melaver and Melaver supermarket chain, serving as the principal anchor. Over time, the center expanded substantially and became part of the main commercial corridor serving southern Savannah. The property's retail mix changed repeatedly as the surrounding area developed. During the 1970s, Abercorn Plaza added tenants including Sam Solomon, Service Merchandise, and Western Auto. M&M was sold to Kroger in 1985, although the Melaver family retained ownership of the real estate. The center's M&M supermarket closed in 1991 when the chain was absorbed into Kroger operations. The former supermarket space was subsequently converted into Books-A-Million and Michaels in 1992. Other changes included the later subdivision of the Service Merchandise space as the retailer reduced its presence in the early 2000s. A major redevelopment began in 2004. Service Merchandise, Western Auto, Beneficial, and nearby automobile dealership properties were removed, and materials from the demolished buildings were salvaged where possible. The resulting land was incorporated into a larger redevelopment at the intersection of Abercorn Expressway, White Bluff Road, and Fairmont Avenue. The project remodeled the existing center, added new buildings and general-purpose retail space, and introduced a Circuit City location. The renovated property ultimately grew to roughly 180,000 square feet, or about 17,000 square meters. Abercorn Common is particularly associated with sustainable design. During the redevelopment, the property incorporated reflective roofs, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, low-volatile-organic-compound paints and sealants, recycled construction materials, and parking spaces reserved for hybrid vehicles. A cistern behind the buildings collects roof and parking-lot runoff for treatment and reuse in landscape irrigation. Approximately 85 percent of construction and demolition debris was recycled. Some salvaged bricks were reused as pavers, with personalized brick contributions supporting the Coastal Georgia Land Trust and the Savannah Tree Foundation. The center became LEED Silver certified after its expansion and renovation, making it one of the earliest U.S. retail centers to receive LEED certification. A McDonald's at the property received LEED Gold certification in September 2006 and was described as the first LEED-certified McDonald's worldwide. Shops 600, a later component of the redevelopment, opened in early 2007 and also achieved LEED Silver certification. Architecturally, the center uses elements associated with Savannah's historic downtown district, including brick façades, awnings, fountains, brick-paved sidewalks, and landscaped areas containing palm trees, pampas grasses, and willow trees. The property is situated near Oglethorpe Mall, Oglethorpe Plaza, and Chatham Plaza, placing it within a dense cluster of Southside shopping destinations.

Abercorn Common traces its origins to the commercial growth of Savannah's Southside during the 1960s. The extension of Abercorn Street into the Abercorn Expressway created a major north-south transportation and retail corridor. In 1968, Abercorn Plaza opened with approximately 38,000 square feet of space. Its original anchor was M&M Supermarkets, operated by Melaver and Melaver, whose family later retained the property even after the supermarket chain was sold. The center expanded during the 1970s and added a succession of retail anchors and tenants, including Sam Solomon, Service Merchandise, and Western Auto. By the time of its later redevelopment, the property had grown to nearly 169,000 square feet. The M&M supermarket was sold to Kroger in 1985 and closed in 1991 as the chain was fully integrated into Kroger. A nearby larger store served as a replacement, while the former Abercorn Plaza supermarket building was converted into Books-A-Million and Michaels in 1992. The property's next major phase began in 2004. Service Merchandise, Western Auto, Beneficial, and neighboring car dealerships were demolished to create additional development land at the meeting point of Abercorn Expressway, White Bluff Road, and Fairmont Avenue. Building materials were salvaged during the demolition process. The remaining shopping center was remodeled, new buildings were constructed, and the project added a Circuit City along with additional general-lease space. The redeveloped property adopted the name Abercorn Common and reached approximately 180,000 square feet. Sustainability became a central feature of this redevelopment. Melaver Inc. had already pursued green-building work in Savannah, including the renovation of its downtown Whitaker Building under the LEED-NC program. At Abercorn Common, the company applied similar principles to a retail center: reflective roofing, water-conserving sinks and toilets, low-VOC coatings, extensive reuse and recycling of demolition materials, and stormwater collection. A cistern captures water from the roof and parking areas, treats it, and uses it for irrigation. The redevelopment recycled about 85 percent of its construction and demolition debris. Reused bricks were incorporated into paving, and paid personalized inscriptions helped raise funds for local environmental organizations. The renovated center achieved LEED Silver certification and became an early example of a LEED-certified retail center in the United States. The property also included hybrid-vehicle parking spaces and landscaped public areas designed to resemble Savannah's established urban character. The architectural vocabulary includes brick façades, awnings, fountains, and brick-paved sidewalks, while the landscaping incorporates palms, pampas grasses, and willow trees. A McDonald's at the center earned LEED Gold certification in September 2006, reported as the first LEED-certified McDonald's worldwide. Shops 600 opened in early 2007 and received LEED Silver certification. Abercorn Common remains part of Savannah's principal Southside shopping corridor, near several other major retail complexes.

• 2007

  Shops 600 opens

  [1]Abercorn Commonen.wikipedia.org

  The Shops 600 component comes online and receives LEED Silver certification.

• 2006

  McDonald's receives LEED Gold certification

  [1]Abercorn Commonen.wikipedia.org

  The McDonald's at the center receives LEED Gold certification in September and is described as the first LEED-certified McDonald's worldwide.

• 2004

  Major redevelopment begins

  [1]Abercorn Commonen.wikipedia.org

  Demolition and site assembly begin for a substantial renovation and expansion involving former retail and neighboring dealership properties.

• 1992

  Former supermarket converted to new retail uses

  [1]Abercorn Commonen.wikipedia.org

  The vacant supermarket space is converted into Books-A-Million and Michaels.

• 1991

  Abercorn Plaza M&M closes

  [1]Abercorn Commonen.wikipedia.org

  The center's M&M supermarket closes as the chain is folded into Kroger operations.

• 1985

  M&M Supermarkets sold to Kroger

  [1]Abercorn Commonen.wikipedia.org

  Kroger acquires the M&M supermarket chain while the Melaver family retains ownership of the shopping-center buildings.

• 1970

  1970s expansion

  [1]Abercorn Commonen.wikipedia.org

  The center expands and adds tenants including Sam Solomon, Service Merchandise, and Western Auto.

• 1968

  Abercorn Plaza opens

  [1]Abercorn Commonen.wikipedia.org

  The original approximately 38,000-square-foot shopping center opens on Savannah's Southside, anchored by M&M Supermarkets.

A Savannah Southside shopping center positioned around convenient retail access, a locally distinctive historic-style architectural environment, and environmentally responsible property redevelopment.

• Shopping center · 1968

  Abercorn Common shopping center

  The center's primary offering is a multi-tenant retail environment serving Savannah's Southside. It combines stores, restaurants, public circulation areas, landscaped spaces, and parking within a historically styled architectural setting. The property has hosted grocery, general merchandise, specialty retail, food-service, and automotive-related tenants over its history.

• Retail space · 2007

  Shops 600

  Shops 600 is a retail component added during the post-2004 redevelopment. It opened in early 2007 as part of the center's expanded general-lease and specialty-retail space and received LEED Silver certification.

• 2004

  Sustainable expansion and redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  The aging shopping center required expansion and modernization as the Abercorn Expressway corridor developed and neighboring retail properties increased competition.

  Action taken

  Melaver-led redevelopment removed obsolete buildings and nearby dealership properties, salvaged construction materials, added new retail space, and incorporated water, energy, and materials-efficiency measures.

  Aftermath

  The property was enlarged to roughly 180,000 square feet, renamed Abercorn Common, and achieved LEED Silver certification.

  Source

1. 1Abercorn Commonen.wikipedia.org