Wilmington Plantation is a property steeped in the same rich history as her Savannah home. The historic Wilmington Building was originally built as the General Oglethorpe Hotel, a luxury resort named for the city’s visionary founder. Ground was broken in 1926 on one of the area’s most beautiful pieces of land, donated by cotton broker Henry C. Walthour. Investment executive Thomas P. Saffold was president of the General Oglethorpe Hotel, known later as the Sheraton Savannah Resort.

The well-known architecture firm Schultze & Weaver created the historic building’s original plans. Renowned even today for their unsurpassed work, the firm also designed New York City’s Waldorf Astoria, Pierre, and Sherry-Netherland hotels. Schultze & Weaver are also credited with designing the beautiful Breakers in Palm Beach, in addition to Biltmore Hotels in both Coral Gables, Florida and Los Angeles, California. Schultze & Weaver had cemented their reputation by the time they signed on to design our beautiful historic building, and anticipation of its completion was high.

The resort opened in 1927 to immediate success. People came to enjoy the amenities, nightlife, and glorious views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Jackie Gleason are known to have resided at the General Oglethorpe, holding court in the lounge and crooning the night away. Tales are still told of the glittering parties that choked the resort’s parking lots and led to the Oglethorpe Hotel’s status as the Georgia Coast’s place to see and be seen.

Later, the resort was bought and sold by the Teamsters twice between 1961 and 1982. Men in three-piece suits spent the day on the golf course or lounged by the poolside with their molls. Boss Frank Rosinova, Lou “The Tailor” Rosanova, and Jimmy Hoffa all resided in the Wilmington Building, and it is rumored that Hoffa’s missing remains may be buried under or around the hotel’s grounds.

Through the years, many luminaries stayed at the grand old resort. And while Cate Blanchett, John Travolta, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, George Jones, Kevin Spacey, the Lady Chablis and others had their time here, we count our residents as the best on the Georgia Coast. And though our history is rich, we continue to move forward, preserving the past while also providing for the future.

Click here for more information on the Teamsters’ connection to Wilmington Plantation!