The Benjamin Wilson House at 432 Abercorn Street was originally constructed in 1867. It consumes half of the Trust Lot fronting Calhoun Square. The property is significant to the Savannah National Historic Landmark District and was largely vacant since 1987. Deferred maintenance led to severe damage of the interior plaster and, overtime, materials and features were removed.
The new owners sought to restore the property which included a large side yard and two-story carriage house to its near original condition. Significant interior spaces were retained and new features for modern living were added including a full apartment in the garden level, bathrooms in the upper floors, an interior elevator and a series of walk-in closets. A new three-story addition was designed on the rear to be compatible with and subordinate to the historic residence. The addition contained a garage on the ground floor, new kitchen on the first floor and a master bath on the second floor. The two-story carriage house was rehabilitated to serve as an accessory dwelling unit for long-term rental use.
The work undertaken was executed to exceed local and national preservation standards and was approved for Georgia Historic Tax Incentives available for owner-occupied residences. It received the 2021 Historic Savannah Foundation Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation and is one of the most well-preserved free-standing examples of a Greek Revival style residence in Calhoun Ward.