The streets of Savannah, Georgia’s historic district are lined with row after row of historic homes lined with live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Among them, a Greek Revival mansion on Lafayette Square—spanning 7,000 square feet on an 80-foot-wide lot—stands out for its unusually generous proportions.
Originally built in 1855, it was built by John Scudder for Catherine McMahon and remained in her family for two generations. The McMahon clan was one of the most socially active families in Savannah, and had strong philanthropic ties to the community. More recently, the house was used as a filming location for the 1995 film. Something to talk aboutStarring Julia Roberts, Dennis Quaid, and Robert Duvall.
The eat-in kitchen opens to a sunny breakfast nook.
Spectator imaging
“This residence is one of those extraordinarily rare properties where architectural integrity, originality and scale come together in a way that is uniquely Savannah,” listing agent Corinne Cunningham Brown of Corcoran Austin Hill Realty said in a statement. “Its setting, architectural perfection, and rich history, including its use as a filming location, contribute to a legacy that is truly unparalleled.”
Related: This $6 million Georgia estate has a guesthouse that is a landmark.
Stepping into the three-bedroom main residence, you can see and feel 170 years of history. The beautiful living room includes not one, but two fireplaces. Another is found in the adjacent dining room, draped in a soft eggshell blue shade. The eat-in kitchen has been updated with modern appliances, but is surrounded by old-school wood-paneled windows, while stately wood columns frame the sun-filled breakfast nook.
Common outdoor spaces include a trellis-top porch.
Spectator imaging
Three colorful en-suite bedrooms are clustered on the second floor, along with a versatile den or office space with another fireplace. On the garden level, a sitting room that could double as a bedroom, a wood-paneled utility room, and a wine cellar complete the layout, all connected by an elevator spanning three floors. The property also includes a two-car garage and a carriage house with a half bath, which could easily be converted into a private office or gym.
The $5 million estate offers plenty of places to soak up the hot Savannah sun. A side garden and elevated side porch—framed by iron railings that echo the home’s black shutters—invite relaxation, while a large deck provides an ideal setting for outdoor dining or lounging, perhaps with a glass of sweet tea in hand.
Click here to view all photos of the historic Savannah home.
Spectator imaging
The authors
Tory Latham
