neighbors,” Larry adds. George was adamant that none of the property’s trees -  some more than 150 years old - be touched. “Every room has a different layout, because we had to redesign when we stumbled upon a tree root we had to dodge,” he says. “We built the inn around the original property owners — the old live oaks.” George transformed an expanse of asphalt into a landscaped courtyard. He also incorporated grass pave—an innovative ecological draining and paving system that reduces runoff and compacts soil so cars can park there. The 1930s beach cottage now houses the lobby and main office, as well as the pub, where longtime residents and inn guests congregate. “They trusted me to build something they’d be proud of,” says George. “And now they come here to celebrate.”

BY PAIGE PORTER
Call 888/635-6111 or visit www.villageinnandpub.com

Reprinted from COASTAL LIVING® Copyright 2003. For subscription information, call 888/252-3529, Or visit us at www.coastalliving.com

Nearly hidden behind thick bangs of Spanish moss, The Village Inn and Pub sits demurely on historic St. Simons Island. The inn’s deep-green trim blends with the romantic trio of trees for which this island is known: palms, magnolias, and live oaks. “I wanted to bring an inn to the village, but I wanted it to fit into and be welcomed by the community,” says George Stewart, proprietor of the 28-room inn. “Because this is a neighborhood, I was insistent that it increase neighbors’ property value— not decrease it, as commercial properties often do.” George razed a

dilapidated apartment building and then hired architect F Larry Evans to bring his plan to fruition. “The design of the hotel evolved fairly simply as we tried to mirror the look of the historic house on the property—a 1930s beach cottage,” says Larry. He designed the inn’s series of two-story pavilions in the traditional Mission style of historic area homes and other nearby landmarks such as The Cloister. “We faced a multitude of hassles with planning and zoning, but over the course of two years managed to satisfy all parties, most importantly the