Around Town: Synovus Building Sells But Bank Office Stays Put. Downtown's Big Decade: $15 Million in 7-Digit Deals

Another big player in downtown Rome is changing hands. It is the latest in a series of unrelated sales of large Broad Street properties together valued at nearly $15 million in the past decade.

The latest is the Synovus bank building at 701 Broad St. which has been sold to Roger Manis LLC for $3.55 million, real estate records show. That might be a record price for a downtown sale.

The bank itself is staying put — and is getting a new look.

“Synovus Bank has served the Rome community since 1911 and is an integral part of downtown, located at 701 Broad St., the historical site of the Towers Marker,” said Shane Walley, Synovus Rome market president.

“While the building is being sold, Synovus will remain a tenant. The plan includes a complete renovation of the branch on the first floor to enhance the client experience. As the sole first-floor tenant, we’re committed to continuing to serve the community and build relationships that enable clients to reach their full potential.”

Manis made a splash in the downtown community when he bought the former Georgia Power building at the Turner McCall intersection in December 2018 for around $1.5 million. He later sold it to businessman Ira Levy in early 2022 for $2.9 million.

Levy has continued to transform it into a business hub. His legacy of restorations stretches across several decades and more than a few blocks along Broad Street as well as connecting neighborhoods.

Downtown’s biggest deals

Some other recent sales on Broad Street:

Spring 2023: The cornerstone of the Cotton Block, 100 Broad St., sold for $3.3 million to William Benefield,♦ owner of American Roofing Co., who has been linked to a few other purchases there as well. (This was believed to have been the record prior to the Synovus sale).

Spring 2022: Businessman Andrew Heaner completes purchase of the Cherokee Lodge♦ at 336 Broad St. Price: Believed to be around $1.8 million.

December 2017: The former Fricks building at 420 Broad St. was sold to the late Fred Taylor’s FB Taylor Holdings.♦ Sale price: $1.5 million.

January 2015: The Synovus sale comes nearly a decade after what’s now First National Community Bank purchased the former Wells Fargo♦ building at 501 Broad St. Price: $1.9 million.

Summer blockbuster

Another summer blockbuster: Occasional moviegoers might want to take another look at the Movies at Berry Square during this summer of huge films such as “Deadpool and Wolverine” and “Twisters.”

Georgia Theatre Co. has pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into refitting the auditoriums there, including some of the most comfortable, spacious recliners we’ve seen. Plus the lobby has been upgraded. Some exterior work is still needed but overall it is a much different experience.

Example: You can buy tickets online and get assigned seats with an up-to-date seating chart (sold or available) at the time you buy. There’s a few attached so please note.

Popcorn & Politics

Annual GOP rally set for Aug. 17: Elected federal, state and local Republicans as well as some on the November ballot are among the invited speakers at the annual Tillman Rally organized by the Floyd County Republican Party. It once again is set for the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds with doors opening at 11 a.m. and the event set for noon until 3 p.m. Food trucks are due onsite as well.

Democrats meet Thursday; office on the way: The Floyd County Democratic Party meets Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Rome-Floyd Library, 205 Riverside Parkway. On tap: Election of post seat holders.

♦ Also: The Democrats’ campaign office is coming soon on North Broad Street. The GOP office is at 420 Broad St.

Peaks & Valleys

The highs and lows of Northwest Georgia

Peak to downtown Rome’s continued success: The Synovus sale again shows the continuing romance for Broad Street and connecting neighborhoods. Now add that to the $61 million investment across the Oostanaula in the Nova Arts District campus to get a true confluence of downtown’s historic addresses as well as the bright rebirth underway.

Valley to ‘kind of a drag’ yet again: So if that “controversial” scene from the Opening Ceremonies would have featured “straight” performers vs. drag queens, would we have all the angst over what Olympic organizers described as a nod to a Greek god of excess? We heard some similar complaints over downtown Rome performances and about Pride events in recent months. And yet it isn’t going away. (We actually expected to hear more about the Marie Antionette head belting out heavy metal during the Olympics premiere).