Ardent Scores Grocery Anchor in Savannah
The landlord is repositioning the shopping center.
The Ardent Cos. has signed a lease agreement with Sprouts Farmers Market at a 92,000-square-foot retail center in Savannah, Ga.
The deal comes as Ardent intends to reposition the property, known as Crossroads Shopping Center, through an in-depth revamp. Sprouts Farmers Market expects to open the new anchor space in 2027, marking the company’s first Savannah location.
The two-building property is at 2100 and 2142 E. Victory Drive, between the Sunset Park and East Savannah neighborhoods, close to Midtown Savannah. The 7-acre neighborhood retail center came online in 2004. Immediate neighboring destinations include The Home Depot, Target and Whole Foods, among others.
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The center’s tenant roster already includes Planet Fitness, Centerwell Medical Center, a sushi restaurant, Starbucks, T-Mobile, UPS and The Breakfast Place. Shannon Shuman Martin, founder of Retail Leasing Advisors, is handling leasing for the property.
Repositioning a Savannah retail center
The Ardent Cos. acquired the retail center last year, in a $13 million transaction, according to Yardi Matrix. Ameris Bank financed this purchase with an $11.1 million loan scheduled to mature in 2030.
Ardent’s revitalization plan includes the rebuilding of 28,000 square feet meant for Sprouts Farmers Market and another smaller suite. Other upgrades will include complete exterior renovations. This is in line with wider U.S. retail trends, as many owners prioritize renovations or repositionings over ground-up, new development.
The plans, alongside a demolition permit request, were filed recently, according to Savannah Agenda. These include the tearing down of an existing single-story building, removing 28,000 square feet previously used by the Savannah Children’s Theatre and a fitness club, and the construction of a new structure totaling 23,293 square feet. Demolition is scheduled for the summer of 2026.
Savannah growth paving the way for more retail, others
The broader Savannah metropolitan area is recording steady population growth and multiple economic drivers, led by robust shipping and logistics tied to the Port of Savannah. The area gained nearly 33,000 people between 2020 and 2025, according to recent U.S. Census estimates. This accounted for an 8.1 percent population rise, heavily outpacing the 3.1 percent national rate.
Beyond the port itself, top economic drivers also include Savannah State University and the Savannah College of Art and Design, as well as the new nearby Hyundai plant and the recently completed Savannah Convention Center.
These engines are boosting demand across retail, residential and hospitality space. Recent activity in the area includes TMGOC Ventures’ upcoming 168-key Ritz-Carlton hotel in the city core, which is underway. The developer secured $104.5 million in construction financing last month. The project involves the redevelopment of two office buildings, one of which dates back more than a century.
In August 2025, ECI Group broke ground on a $60 million mixed-use project in the Richmond Hill, Ga., suburb. Dubbed The Averly Richmond Hill, the development will include 291 residential units and retail across 3.5 acres.
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