You Can Book a Stay at This Idyllic Home Featured in 'May December'
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
May December—starring Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton—continues to generate Oscar chatter. The Netflix film follows a married couple’s relationship born out of scandal. When an actress visits to do research for a movie about their past, long-buried emotions emerge. While the script was originally set in Camden, Maine, it was changed to Savannah, Georgia, for much more than practical reasons. The city and Tybee Island, a beach community located about 30 minutes outside Savannah, provided the right mood. “The kind of humidity and marshland light that emanates from that region offered such a specific visual language,” director Todd Haynes said in a press brief. “That kind of milky light seeps past the frames and often silhouettes the shots.”
The idyllic lighting also possesses a haunting quality, as does the architecture. “A lot of the scenes had frames within frames in the architecture and in the setting,” Haynes added in the brief.
Below, we’ve laid out all of the filming locations that provided backdrops for the movie—including Gracie and Joe’s house, which was tapped for its exteriors and interiors, and the inn where Elizabeth stays, which is available to book for a stay.
Gracie and Joe’s House
The public scandal of Gracie and Joe’s relationship meant they’d likely seek a seemingly perfect suburban life slightly out of the spotlight. Haynes explained: “Sam Lisenco, the production designer, and I saw Tybee Island on the map, and we thought, Now that’s probably where Gracie would live. She wouldn’t live in the center of historic Savannah.”
So, they secured a sizable home on Tybee Island to portray the couple’s haven. Situated on the water and dotted by palm trees, the home’s interiors and exteriors portray their residence with enviable features. It has everything from a large deck for backyard barbecues to a charming living room with arched windows and slanted ceilings.
The Inn Where Elizabeth Stays
While visiting Savannah, Elizabeth stays at an inn. In reality, that lodging is depicted by a historic manor house in Savannah—and it’s available to book through Vrbo. Known as Estill Manor, the 1920 restored home’s interiors and exteriors are featured in May December. But there’s so much more to it in real life than what’s seen on screen. The six-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom residence encompasses 4,577 square feet. Inside, interior columns, charming mantels, and plenty of artwork amplify its appeal. An impressive list of amenities includes a heated outdoor pool, courtyard, English garden, and manicured grounds.
Gallery Espresso
The quaint cafe where Elizabeth meets Gracie’s ex-husband is depicted by Gallery Espresso in Savannah’s historic Chippewa Square. Housed in an 1859 building, the establishment specializes in coffee and fresh-baked pastries. Inside, the walls are adorned with art by local artists. Mismatched furniture, patterned rugs, and exposed brick add to its overall coziness.
The Crab Shack
It’s no surprise The Crab Shack, where Elizabeth meets Gracie’s former lawyer and son, is portrayed by a real seafood restaurant called The Crab Shack. Located on Tybee Island, the family-run eatery has a long history tied to fishing culture.
Garibaldi
Graduation dinners in the movie take place at Garibaldi, a Savannah restaurant that first opened in 1980. The seafood spot’s featured interior is defined by big potted plants, mirrors, large arched windows, and black-and-gold chandeliers—the perfect atmosphere for a dramatic feast.
The Pet Store
Instead of building a pet store on a soundstage, the production used Exotic Underworlds to portray the interior and exterior of the pet store in the movie. The Savannah shop specializes in exotic animals, fish, and coral.
The Posh Loft
Gracie takes her daughter shopping with Elizabeth at The Posh Loft, a women’s clothing store in Savannah. The local boutique lent its interiors for a pretty heart-wrenching scene.
The Woods
Whether Joe is walking the dogs with Elizabeth or Gracie is hunting, the woods in May December provide the characters with a hidden escape. Filming for these outdoor scenes took place on Hutchinson Island along Grand Prize of America Avenue.
Other locations featured in May December include Courtney Station Apartments, which portrays Joe’s dad’s residence; Georgia Southern University, where an X-ray room was used as Joe’s workplace; Islands High School; Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport; and First Baptist Church, which portrays the community center.
You love filming locations. So do we. Let’s obsess over them together.
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.
You Might Also Like
