Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) will host a special discussion about “Transformative Renovation: Regina Coeli Hall” on Thursday, November 21 at the HSF headquarters, located at 321 E. York St., as part of the 2024 Historic Savannah Foundation Lecture Series, “People, Places and Stories That Define Savannah.” Attendees are invited to a wine reception at 5:30 p.m. The lecture will start at 6 p.m.

This event will feature acclaimed architect Christian Sottile, FAIA, the founding principal of Sottile & Sottile, and West Construction Company Vice President Matthew Schivera discussing their 2024 HSF Preservation Award-winning renovation of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist’s Regina Coeli Hall. Sottile and Schivera will share how they collaborated with a team of artisans to create a parish hall and adoration chapel befitting the oldest Cathedral Basilica in the state of Georgia.

Dedicated in 1876, the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist has stood as a Savannah landmark for nearly 150 years. Rebuilt and rededicated in 1900 after a fire, the Cathedral was embellished with gilding, murals and stained glass windows. A century later, an extensive interior restoration was completed for the Millennium Jubilee.

Recently, Sottile and Schivera, who is a parishioner of the Cathedral, entirely redesigned the space with a focus on traditional craftsmanship and handmade detailing. Their significant renovation resulted in the newly dedicated Regina Coeli Hall, a new space in keeping with the extraordinary material quality, articulation and detailing of the Cathedral above. The hall features entirely new vaulted plaster ceilings, marble from original quarries, oak and walnut flooring, gilded columns and ornate plasterwork.

For more information about the HSF Lecture Series, please visit myhsf.org.