Why it matters
Ellis Square has a complicated history: the original square was paved over in the 1950s to build a parking garage, erasing one of the city's oldest market squares. It was restored in 2010 when the garage was demolished, returning the square to the grid — though the rebuilt space has a more contemporary character than Savannah's colonial-era squares.
Today it functions as the main civic gathering point for the City Market district, with an interactive fountain and regular events. It connects easily to Franklin Square, Telfair Square, and the restaurants and shops of City Market along Barnard Street.
Savannah lost this square and then chose to bring it back.