City Exchange (Savannah, Georgia)

City Exchange
The building in 1799 (not 1797, as stated on its caption), shortly after its construction
Location within Georgia
City Exchange (Savannah, Georgia) (the United States)
General information
AddressBay Street at Bull Street
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Coordinates32°04′52″N 81°05′28″W / 32.08111°N 81.09112°W / 32.08111; -81.09112
Opened1799
Demolished1904 (1904)
Technical details
Floor count3 (facing Bay Street)
5 (facing River Street)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Adrian Boucher

City Exchange was a building that stood on Bay Street in Savannah, Georgia, United States, between 1799 and 1904. It replaced a previous structure which was destroyed by fire in 1796. The former seat of Savannah's city government, the building's location is now occupied by Savannah City Hall.

The building, which fronted around 75 feet (23 m) along Bay Street and ran back around 50 feet (15 m) toward the Savannah River, was the design of French architect and builder Adrian Boucher, who arrived from New York City in 1797, the year following the great fire of Savannah, to assist with the reconstruction of the city's important buildings.

The Exchange served both public and private interests until 1812, when the city purchased it for use as City Hall, moving from the Filature building, which was destroyed by fire in 1840. On the first floor, running the entire width of the building, was the long room, at the eastern end of which was the mayor's office. The rest of the room was used as council chambers. The clerk of the council's office was in the northeastern corner of this floor, adjoining the mayor's chamber. The city treasurer's office was in the northwestern corner. On the second floor was the city marshal's office among other offices.

The building was renovated in 1854, including the addition of a portico. The architect was Savannah's Sholl & Fay.

In December 1864, Union Army general John W. Geary gave a speech in front of the building in which he congratulated his troops, who had captured "this most beautiful city of the South" during the Civil War.

In September 1896, the building was one of several that was damaged in a severe storm that passed through Savannah.