HunterMaclean has played a vital role in restoring historic Ellis Square, one of 24 public spaces which served as part of Savannah’s original eighteenth-century city plan. The square was for over 150 years the home of the City's public market.  In the 1950's the historic market was razed, much to the chagrin of many citizens, to create a steel-framed parking garage.  For the past 50 years, Historic Savannah Foundation and the City's fathers have planned to raze the garage, and bring the square back to life as part of the national landmark historic district.

When Ellis Square’s revitalization is complete in 2008, this once-dilapidated parking garage will be transformed into a vibrant twenty-first century square with interactive fountains, beautiful landscaping and convenient underground parking.

Partner Brooks Stillwell represented master developers Batson-Cook Development Company and Ivy Partners in forming a public-private partnership between the City of Savannah and five private developers to revitalize a major portion of the Savannah historic district.  "News Place at Ellis Square" is  a $100 million development, composed a restored Ellis Square, a 1075-space public, subterranean parking garage, to be constructed by the City under Ellis Square and the surrounding lots and streets, a new 175-room luxury suites hotel to be built over the garage, and a restored Savannah-News Press building, which will contain retail space including Savannah's first Ruth's Chris Steak House, and over 40 residential condominiums and penthouses.

Together, Ellis Square and News Place represent the best of Savannah’s past and serve as the brightest beacon for its future.