I can't say no one should not have seen this coming, given the nationwide residential market conditions and their targeted customer base.

However all major high profile projects are not on hold. Off the top of my head Everbank Tower was just completed, the Peninsula just topped out, Berkman II is about halfway up, Kings Avenue Station is underway and Brooklyn Park (the largest urban project) will be breaking ground any day now.

This is from October 26, 2007:

Opening Day Photos



http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1272/sjtcphase2001lh1.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/962/sjtcphase2002nl9.jpg


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http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2299/sjtcphase2004mp3.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5986/sjtcphase2005za0.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2387/sjtcphase2006yq8.jpg


http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4325/sjtcphase2007rg3.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8932/sjtcphase2008tv7.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/7176/sjtcphase2009he3.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8537/sjtcphase2010dm3.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/989/sjtcphase2011ju7.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9213/sjtcphase2012ea8.jpg


http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/7544/sjtcphase2013tn2.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7518/sjtcphase2014ul2.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2820/sjtcphase2015dk2.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6508/sjtcphase2016vk2.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9425/sjtcphase2017tr2.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2584/sjtcphase2018pg2.jpg


http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/2349/sjtcphase2019lg5.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6605/sjtcphase2021mc6.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8365/sjtcphase2022wf5.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8199/sjtcphase2023ca7.jpg


http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/975/sjtcphase2024vm6.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1033/sjtcphase2025ph4.jpg


http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/7420/sjtcphase2026pv5.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/2739/sjtcphase2027iw4.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6874/sjtcphase2028mb6.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3244/sjtcphase2029ei3.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7707/sjtcphase2030ia8.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2830/sjtcphase2031nr5.jpg
WOW, I LIKE THIS CITY BEAUTIFULLY! :nuts:

Le casualty de jour, from Times-Union:


San Marco development, including Publix, placed on hold
Slated for a 2009 opening, the project now faces a delay of 18 to 24 months.
By DIANA MIDDLETON, The Times-Union

The stormy condo market has stalled yet another housing project: This time, it's a much-anticipated San Marco development that has been delayed for as long as two years.

The East San Marco project, a mixed-use development from Regency Centers and the St. Joe Co., was slated to include a Publix store, five levels of condos and 27,000 square feet of additional retail. Developers say the mixed-use project will open eventually - but much later than the originally projected 2009 opening.

Both Regency and St. Joe are evaluating alternative uses for the project in the wake of the national housing slump, said Brian Smith, Regency's chief investment officer, during a conference call with analysts Thursday. As such, the development's status has been changed from "in-process" to "land held for future development."

The company is going over its options for future development of the site, located on the southeast corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Mango Place, he said during the conference call. (Regency executives would not comment further than what was stated during the conference call.)

The project, which was to total $86 million upon completion, likely will be pushed back 18 months to two years, according to Mike Shalley, a St. Joe consultant and owner of MKS partners, LLC.

"The market is slow, but we are continuing to plan alternatives to the design to change part of the development's uses," said Shalley, who was closely involved in the project's development.

"We're trying to evaluate how quickly the residential market will recover."

To speed up development, the companies are deciding what to do with the five floors of condos (totaling roughly 125 units) that were slated to top the Publix. One idea, according to Shalley, is to convert some of the units to rentals or senior living facilities.

"The perfect storm - a weak market when you're ready to go to market - is always a little disconcerting," he said. "But we're in the midst of exploring different options now."

Publix will definitely remain part of the plan, according to company spokesman Dwaine Stevens.

"What they are looking at is the condo piece of the project, and they have not made any decisions," he said. "As for timing, it will be at least 2010 before this opens ..."

Several other housing or mixed-use projects have hit snags during the downturn.

It was announced earlier this week that The St. John, an all-glass condo that was scheduled to break ground in 2006 and open next year, will be similarly delayed.

The LandMar Group, the developer behind a planned Shipyards condo tower, began doling out refunds to condo purchasers in October. And two condominium towers slated for the St. Johns Town Center will be reworked into an upscale hotel.

The situation stems from enthusiastic over-building in years past, according to Ray Rodriguez, owner of the Real Estate Strategy Center of North Florida Inc.

"It's going to be a couple years before the market begins to recover," he said. "The area has to get rid of the existing inventory and wait until consumer confidence comes back."

It will take a while in Jacksonville, a market where consumers are less apt to splurge than those in bigger cities, Rodriguez said.

That's a sentiment echoed by St. Joe consultant Shalley: "A lot of people who would need to sell their house in order to move to the urban core aren't ready to make those decisions yet," he said.

The St. Johns Town Center condo project Toscana I and II is also being reworked, with possible conversion to hotel project. (Times-Union 11/03/07).

Thanks for the heads up Lake:

November 9, 2007

Carter, an Atlanta developer who is embarking on a legacy project there, is also building a shopping destination in what may be his future home of Jacksonville. St. Johns Town Center has been his most successful project in sales per square foot since the first phase opened in 2005.

Already, 53-year-old Carter is planning for a third phase of the town center to start construction next year that could include three more department stores -- maybe Nordstrom's or Neiman Marcus -- and another 150,000 square feet of specialty shops.

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2007/11/12/focus2.html

Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar:

Under Construction

*Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that they would not be building until 2009?

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/6761/restaurant014ns2.jpg

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/8388/restaurant015ky8.jpg

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/8146/restaurant017sp5.jpg

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/2808/restaurant016zd3.jpg

Wow, that looks like a large Wasabi...we have one in Tampa, but it is not near that size. Great food though!

Steve

Wow, that looks like a large Wasabi...we have one in Tampa, but it is not near that size. Great food though!

Steve

I don't think that they are related:

www.wasabi-steakhouse.com

The 122 Ocean project in Downtown is now being called "The Library". Developers plan to convert the old 144,000sf public library into a mixed use entertainment/retail complex featuring an urban grocery market and several restaurants and bars with outdoor seating. Work is scheduled to start February 2008.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/the_library_-_122_ocean/thelibrary-122ocean.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/the_library_-_122_ocean/p1050965.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/the_library_-_122_ocean/p1050976.JPG

www.thelibraryjax.com

WOW, that is a GREAT project, go Jacksonville!

Steve

good for jacksonville.

Excellent news. I really like this project. I'm happy the "heritage" old library was preserved. It has an art deco look to it, like it belongs in South Beach.
Good to see something moving forward after a spate of bad news here in Jax.
What happened to the extra floor to be added and the condo part?

I can't say I've really ever liked that building, but its tough to complain when it brings an urban grocery market downtown. :)

Seems like a good use for the library.

Anyone know if the apartments near Atlantic and University, where the Hope Haven Children's Hospital was, is still going? The dirt's been sitting there for quite a while.

I know this isn't development news, but, does anyone know how "Pricebuster" Paul Strickland of WJXR radio died? I listen to that station occasionally but nobody ever says what exactly happened to him, and I can't find anything on the web? Any info would be appreciated because all the secrecy is something I find very curious.

A new project for Downtown Jacksonville

Bay Street Station

Development Team:

LB Jax Development
Atlantic Coast Development
Renaissance Design Group

Architect:

Phillips Partnership - Atlanta, GA

Project components:

Lobby/Vertical Circulation - 60,518 square feet

Full Service Hotel - 233,168 square feet (15 story/180' tower)

Limited Service Hotel - 92,910 square feet (16 story/190' tower)

Health Club - 86,648 square feet

Parking - 181,819 square feet

Retail - 115,200 square feet

Office - 229,130 square feet (11 story/170' tower)

Theatres / Gaming - 134,970 square feet

Ground breaking:

First quarter 2009


http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4110-21_-_l0.3.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4109-20_-_l0.2.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4111-21_-_l0.4.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4105-8_-_a0.1.jpg

newspaper article about project: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=49619

They sound like they're serious about this.

Nice project.

I'm not crazy about the aetenas on top of the two buildings on the ends though. :dunno:

I'm still kind of skeptical, but I'm encouraged by the notion that they won't be asking city money for this and that all three developers have a decent track record of success.

I would just like to see a more detailed rendering. Some of the architecture, most notably the western most building, looks meh to me.

They are supposed to have more detailed drawings this summer.

I think it looks HOT. DT Jax needs more modern cityscape designs like that, for a better contrast (still love the old buildings, too).

Does anyone know if the construction on Berkman Plaza 2 has resumed again?? If I'm not mistaken, I believe it may have, since the crane seems to be in a different position from last week.

Yes, its back under construction again.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but any movement on the courthouse ?

LOL. The mayor wants to build a $400 million courthouse now (up from the original $190 million proposal). Construction will probably break ground before the end of the year, but I wouldn't bet the house that it moves forward without any more setbacks.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/14620270.jpg

OMG!

Wouldn't want to leave those Greek columns out. Wouldn't want to be too modern.

Personally, I'm hoping it gets changed or delayed until another administration can come in and demand a modern vertical oriented building. Its insane to hold to this idea that a courthouse must resemble something that has popular 100 years ago and sprawl out over seven blocks of prime downtown property.

I don't mind the building itself as long as there is some good architectual detailing, but there definitely needs to be a more vertical solution for sure.

Yes, its back under construction again.

Did they ever find out what may have caused the parking garage collapse last year??

Damn that courthouse render sucks. At $400MM you would expect something......nice.

Shit, for that kind of money you could build up. Unfortunately I judge county courthouses against Orange County's, so basically the rest of them suck :banana:

KIDDING

Ground work has started on the empty lot across from Louis Vuitton, and across the street from Kate Spade. I don't know if it will be the anticipated Crate & Barrel that was supposed to occupy the lot, or something else. They havn't posted any tenant signs. I guess we'll see. I'll keep you updated.

Did they ever find out what may have caused the parking garage collapse last year??

No. However, they are allowing the construction of the tower to move forward will the parking garage (separate structure) investigation continues.

Damn that courthouse render sucks. At $400MM you would expect something......nice.

Shit, for that kind of money you could build up. Unfortunately I judge county courthouses against Orange County's, so basically the rest of them suck :banana:

KIDDING

I agree that the current design is horrible and a waste of money and downtown land, which is why I'm hoping this latest version stumbles like the ones before it.

While I'm not crazy about how the Orange County Courthouse interacts with downtown at street level (could have been done much better), I do believe it makes a lot more sense to go vertical instead.

Saks Fifth Avenue Off Fifth + 50 other new stores to open November 2008 at the Prime1 Outlets. This is a major win for our metro. Hopefully we will see more development like this take place in the near future. Fingers crossed for a Neiman Marcus Last Call and a Nordstrom Rack. Loehmann's coming is already a topper on my list!


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/asonj23/Pics007.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/asonj23/Pics028.jpg

The last time I visited that mall, it was pretty dead. This expansion should do the area well.

who cares about jacksonville while miami is standing there with its beauty!

because Jacksonville has way more history than Miami and is actually southern.

because Jacksonville has way more history than Miami and is actually southern.

Who wants to be southern? Jacksonville would like a suburb of Miami if it was placed next to Miami. Miami wins.

Who wants to be southern? Jacksonville would like a suburb of Miami if it was placed next to Miami. Miami wins.

Yes, Miami wins in the arrogance and trying to be un-Southern field, hands down.

Last time I checked, you can still get grits with your breakfast in Miami. Miami is part of the South, like it or not.:lol:

A few pics I snapped with my Blackberry last night:

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3550/lacosteqe3.png

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7783/true2hq7.png

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4167/yogaberry2lg5.png


... Someone posted on the City-Data Jacksonville Forum that the new building under construction across from Louis Vuitton will house Tiffany & Co, Calvin Klein, and one other unnamed tennant. I don't know how much truth there is to that. I personally have not seen any news of that, but I guess we'll see?

Nice project.

I'm not crazy about the aetenas on top of the two buildings on the ends though. :dunno:

really?
i think they look awesome, and add some character.
and whether they look great or not, i aint gonna complain! i say yay for us!:cheers:
what with the tod-style...this would be reeel goood fer us(hopefuly they can help link our current transit systems and not just create a new riderless one i.e. skyway) if they can integrate both systems together, and maybe send this trolley to riverside or 5 points or something we should be in good shape
....and they need to start brooklyn park dangit!

also in the dailyrecord article i noticed this

“We don’t want to be ‘Kuhnized.’"

:omg:

wow that hurts... i guess its true but man...cold.

^Welcome. :)

No doubt it's a good project. I just think from the rendering the aentenas look cheap and crappy, but like I said I would need a more zoomed in and detailed rendering.

^^Thanks:cheers:,

and understandable.

I know the courthouse design is old news, but I was just looking at it and thinking that I liked it, and how much it does fit with downtown's more historic style of architecture. Like most others have said, tho, it really should be more vertical. It only makes sense IMO.

I know the courthouse design is old news, but I was just looking at it and thinking that I liked it, and how much it does fit with downtown's more historic style of architecture. Like most others have said, tho, it really should be more vertical. It only makes sense IMO.

yes...too bad the folks down at city hall don't like making sense...

they don't understand that a highrise courthouse is more cost & space efficient, while buffering our skyline(and maybe our image, if the design is great and unique-even though a plain ol highrise would be fine with me-). it blows me away how we make such strange decisions while supposedly having the interests of a healthy downtown in mind.

'maybe if we continue redisign it and raise the expense-and just plain put it off-, we can kill off all the hopes of the people who care about downtown!!!'

i do like the way the courthouse design looks, but 550mil(correct me if im wrong) and all that wasted space are just not acceptable. just thinking of some of the projects that were dependant upon the courthouse being built upsets me.
:badnews:

Some city bureaucrat recently said that a high-rise courthouse isn't an option because it would cost $600,000 a year more to maintain.

But even if that statement were true (which I doubt) they are overlooking the fact that the surplus land, converted back to private use, would easily generate much more in property taxes every year.

^^^Yes. It's called being shortsighted. It's one of the few things politicians are good at doing. I won't list the other things they're apparently good at doing because I want to keep my posts "G"-rated.:nuts:

Baptist Medical Center recently announced that they will be moving forward with a 12 story tower, just north of the I-95/Fuller Warren Bridge ramps. Officials anticipate tower construction beginning in four months with completion slated for October 2010.

New Baptist tower to change Southbank

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=50150

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/articles/06_02_08/2a.jpg

Baptist Medical Center recently announced that they will be moving forward with a 12 story tower, just north of the I-95/Fuller Warren Bridge ramps. Officials anticipate tower construction beginning in four months with completion slated for October 2010.

New Baptist tower to change Southbank

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=50150

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/articles/06_02_08/2a.jpg

Yay! a highrise for Jax.

This one should really stand out. Handsome design too.

Any word at all on the St. John ?

^^ I believe the St. John is on hold until market conditions improve.

^^ I believe the St. John is on hold until market conditions improve.

Not surprised.

neat-o :okay:

Here's a few more renderings of the Wolfson Children's Hospital / Adult Tower. According the the plans, the building will have a height of 195'.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/urbanjax7816/Slide23.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/urbanjax7816/Slide27.jpg

Looks good for a hospital. :okay:

It'll be prominant, coming in on the Fuller-Warren.

Hi all, I just joined this forum because it has info related to a project I'm working on, and some of you might find it of interest as well. I'm building a 3D model of downtown Jacksonville (link in sig).

So far it's been created entirely from photographs, but if anyone knows if any documentation is publicly available it would be very helpful.

My plan is to make an interactive presentation of downtown. I have a long way to go but I've also accomplished a lot.

^^ Welcome to SSC BigHache, it's good to see some new faces on here from the Jax area. Are you from the Jax area?? :dunno:

Hi all, I just joined this forum because it has info related to a project I'm working on, and some of you might find it of interest as well. I'm building a 3D model of downtown Jacksonville (link in sig).

So far it's been created entirely from photographs, but if anyone knows if any documentation is publicly available it would be very helpful.

My plan is to make an interactive presentation of downtown. I have a long way to go but I've also accomplished a lot.

Welcome, and great job! :)

That's an amazing job, BigHache.

^^ Welcome to SSC BigHache, it's good to see some new faces on here from the Jax area. Are you from the Jax area?? :dunno:

No, I'm from Tampa. Just moved to Jax 3yrs ago.

Thanks for the compliments on the project. I've dubbed it Magnum though because "it's nowhere near ready".

I see you guys like photos. I'm amassing quite a database of downtown photos. Here's an HDR sunset photo of the Peninsula building on the Southbank:
http://www.jacksonville3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/dt-jax-hdri-01-2.jpg

Yes, great job BigHache, you need to sign on to "MetroJax".

Confirmed New Stores:

[ ] Saks Fifth Avenue: Off 5th
[ ] Gucci
[ ] American Apparel
[ ] Hugo Boss
[ ] Michael Kors
[ ] Kenneth Cole
[ ] Juicy Couture
[ ] Kate Spade
[ ] Tail Activewear Inc.
[ ] Papaya
[ ] BCBGMAXAZRIA
[ ] Cole Haan
[ ] LOFT Outlet
[ ] Lucky Brand Jeans
[ ] Guess by Marciano
[ ] Charlotte Russe
[ ] Gander Mountain (near by)

"When complete, Prime expects to have expanded the current shopping area by 35 percent and added 90 stores."

... they are adding 90 stores. Any guesses or hopes?

Sources:

http://www.staugustine.com/stories/100108/news_1001_012.shtml
http://staugustine.com/stories/043008/news_txt01_027.shtml
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/030207/bus_8330751.shtml
http://www.primeoutlets.com/eventDetail.asp?cntrId=1079&eventId=14519

expanding it 35% and adding 90 stores--- doesn't make sense b/c it means that there's already 180 stores there... unless they mean the gross square footage outside of actual retail space... that's a pretty big center... Prime's website should have the details.

Its been a while. Here is the final renderings for the long delayed Duval County Courthouse. Its supposed to break ground soon and should be completed by 2011.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_26.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_30.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_32.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_40.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_49.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_50.jpg

Thats a really nice project.

Very nice, and BIG! :yes: :)

Its been a while. Here is the final renderings for the long delayed Duval County Courthouse. Its supposed to break ground soon and should be completed by 2011.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_26.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_30.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_32.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_40.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_49.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/images/development/duval_county_courthouse_renderings_dec_2008/dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_50.jpg

Can you repost the pics??? All red x's

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-8205-dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_32.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-8206-dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_33.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-8211-dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_38.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-8214-dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_41.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-8222-dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_49.jpg

more renderings and plans here: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/962/122/

wow! impressive

That is a really ugly courthouse. Either you go Greek Revival or you go Contemporary, but you can't do both.

Jax needs to wean itself off the neo-classical anyway.

I agree with the last two comments. I'm not crazy about it or the amount of land it takes up, but I realize city leaders don't have a clue or desire to listen to those who may.

might take up a bit too much land but its a stunning building.

might take up a bit too much land but its a stunning building.

i think from street level it's gonna be breathtaking

I understand it's a courthouse and we have this perception that courthouses need to be these impressive Greek temples, but that's not the case. I understand what they're trying to do, but they're not doing it right. If just looks like a bad blend of both.

It's interesting to see some outsiders' reactions to the renderings of the courthouse. Some of the negative sentiment from locals towards this project is probably related to the ongoing saga of getting this thing built...from the delays that have hindered other adjacent development to the skyrocketing costs. This might have hurt the public's perception of the design, whereas some folks who actually dislike the design just want to get the friggin thing built.

Anyway, I agree on both counts...I think this courthouse will look spectacular from the ground. But that in no way makes up for the lack of any connectivity at street level, the ugliness of its interaction with the surrounding area, the lack of contribution to the skyline, and the outrageous price tag. Build taller and you can save on construction costs while also selling off the unnecessary land for private investment. The best thing that comes from building this new courthouse is getting the govt out of the old courthouse's prime real estate on the river.

I don't get how that can cost $400 million... I mean aside from the nice central greek revival part of the building the rest is cookie cutter. Are they coating this thing in marble or something?

I assume someone is getting their pockets lined.

it'll be interesting when it gets built. in this lifetime? maybe or maybe not. hopefully the next city council reps and mayor will have a better vision for the city itself. the JEDC would work wonders if only the people in it weren't self serving.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-8206-dec_08_ddrb_agenda_for_web_page_33.jpg

I like much because the building is really impressive. Regards from Colombia.

It kinda, sorta reminds me a little of Prime Osborne, which is in the same area of town. Other than that, I don't think there's anything I can add, opinion-wise, that hasn't already been said.

On another topic, I was in Jax the other day on my way to a wedding rehearsal at Deercreek, when I decided to check out a jewelry deal at Faith Jewelers on Edgewood. I hadn't driven on Edgewood in many years and had always associated that area as strictly blue collar industrial. I had heard about this place from someone and couldn't understand why there would be a jewelry store on Edgewood. However, this section of EW was actually very nice and upscale looking. It was reduced to 2 lanes with on street parking. Old, brick storefronts lined this section, with nice landscaping and brick streets. The stores were occupied by wine shops, coffee shops and the like. Very surprised to find this little gem here. Does anyone know what this area of town is named (besides Westside or Northside)?

That's Murray Hill. Murray Hill was a city that was annexed by Jacksonville in 1925.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5598-p1110850.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5588-p1110853.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5600-p1110841.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5602-p1110831.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5603-p1110852.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5605-p1110933.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3080-p1060009.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3086-p1060019.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3087-p1060016.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3094-p1060021.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5607-p1110926.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5619-p1110934.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5624-p1110844.JPG

Thanks Lakelander. I've heard of Murray Hill my whole life, but hadn't actually been there until recently.

so, it was really nice pics, hi to everybody posting from Sansalvador El Salvador, hey I liked the train like a maglev is that train already available?

It's been awhile, so here's a new project rendering ... 8 story medical office building (if you include the parking levels) with ground floor retail.

http://www.1463sanmarco.com/p7lsm_img_1/fullsize/1463_Image01.jpg

http://www.1463sanmarco.com/about.html
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-may-urban-infill-1463-san-marco

The garage facade aside, it's a nice project and a good fit for the area. It's a couple blocks South of downtown's Southbank area. It should have a nice view of the skyline and river.

This is what it's replacing. Not a bad trade-off ...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1463+san+marco+blvd,+jacksonville+fl&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.564064,54.667969&ie=UTF8&ll=30.310484,-81.660452&spn=0.001049,0.001668&t=h&z=19&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=30.310482,-81.660545&panoid=KN13s7iY5CDPpHJdiLjqjA&cbp=12,31.81,,0,2.54

It's been awhile, so here's a new project rendering ... 8 story medical office building (if you include the parking levels) with ground floor retail.

http://www.1463sanmarco.com/p7lsm_img_1/fullsize/1463_Image01.jpg

http://www.1463sanmarco.com/about.html
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-may-urban-infill-1463-san-marco

The garage facade aside, it's a nice project and a good fit for the area. It's a couple blocks South of downtown's Southbank area. It should have a nice view of the skyline and river.

This is what it's replacing. Not a bad trade-off ...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1463+san+marco+blvd,+jacksonville+fl&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.564064,54.667969&ie=UTF8&ll=30.310484,-81.660452&spn=0.001049,0.001668&t=h&z=19&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=30.310482,-81.660545&panoid=KN13s7iY5CDPpHJdiLjqjA&cbp=12,31.81,,0,2.54


any updates on this???

Wow that courthouse is a meer shell of some of the original proposals. Too bad. If they were going to dumb down the exterior design, they should have built a skyscraper (like Orlando) to reduce the footprint and sell of the remaining parcels for private development. No need for a superblock courthouse if it is not going to be monumental.

Too late, its under construction now.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/assets/thumbs/image.1272.feature.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/642523573_rU8fY-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/642523649_28D7q-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/642523858_q9wEE-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/642524197_3QbeR-M.jpg

Because of the decision to not go vertical, this is going to be a huge structure (nearly 200ft tall), taking up four city blocks. In any event, its now too late to cry over spilled milk. On the positive side, its finally filling a 7 block hole of blight and abandonment, plus triggering complementing development nearby in the middle of an economic recession.

Ambassador Lofts. An adaptive reuse project proposed for a long vacant building across the street from the courthouse site.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/638114839_2XQAF-M.jpg
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-sep-ambassador-hotel-rehabilitation-plans-revealed

I've never lived in Jacksonville, but it's been facinating to me. Something about the Rivers and Bridges and the Ocean and the Unique History.

I frequently check out metrojacksonville.com it's a great site to learn from.

Jacksonville needs to go under Manhattanization to become a huge city, just like miami and orlando.

Its been a while since anything has been posted here. So here are a few photos of the courthouse site.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Downtown-Construction-December/P1300767/744866420_QxdUB-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Downtown-Construction-December/P1300768/744866638_GkYWa-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Downtown-Construction-December/P1300772/744866626_kTzKJ-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Downtown-Construction-December/P1300777/744866940_UCdFK-M.jpg

Here are a few images of the Main Street streetscape project in Springfield. Its finally close to completion.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Downtown-Construction-December/P1300799/744867344_jGRx2-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Downtown-Construction-December/P1300802/744867395_rea26-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Downtown-Construction-December/P1300808/744867440_X6eGG-M.jpg

Here are a few renderings of the proposed Jacksonville Transportation Center. If JTA can win stimulus money, the first phase (BRT, Skyway, transportation office building) will break ground in 2010. Future phases include Amtrak, commuter rail, streetcar, greyhound and local bus terminals.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page041/744225755_6ddBT-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page055/744225823_ddBfc-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page061/744225864_WsJrk-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page063/744225875_p7CSn-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page088/744226225_VWrZr-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page075/744226079_RbC3N-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page069/744225950_wtwJg-M.jpg

Could be competition for the Landing?

New entertainment complex set for St. Johns Town Center

http://jacksonville.com/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/editorial/images/additional/106/towncenter121809.jpg

By Roger BullStory updated at 3:56 AM on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009

An entertainment complex featuring restaurants, bars and an open air concert area is planned to open in the spring at St. Johns Town Center.

The Plaza at Town Center will feature 300,000 square feet of entertainment and retail on 50 acres just east of the Town Center, the project’s developers announced Friday.

Whisky River, a country themed nightclub and music venue owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. of NASCAR fame, is already under construction and is scheduled to open in March 2010. Whisky River, which opened in downtown Charlotte, N.C., in 2007, features live music by celebrity guests, talented DJs and a mechanical bull.

“NASCAR fans flock to the original Whisky River in Charlotte to experience the replica and atmosphere of Jr.’s own saloon on his property in North Carolina,” the release said.

“I think Jacksonville is a prime market for this kind of establishment,” Earnhardt was quoted as saying.

Whisky River has a Facebook page that announces saying a representative will be in Jacksonville in January, “Looking for the hottest bartenders & servers to join our team.”

BlackFinn American Saloon, which describes itself as a New York style saloon, is slated to open later in the spring.

A spokeswoman for the developers, Landmark Leisure Group and Ben Carter Properties, said that a high-end martini bar, currently unnamed, would be the third venue at the complex. An old-world style Italian eatery is planned, and he developers are talking to seven or eight more restaurants and nightclubs, she said.Retail stores are also planned for the venue which will include outdoor festivals and concerts in the mix that invites patrons to “stay and play,” according to a release..

An artist’s rendering of the planned complex shows businesses on both sides of a walking street that also features a concert space.

Ben Carter Properties was a developer of the orginal St. Johns Town Center in a joint venture with Simon Property Group.

http://jacksonville.com/business/2009-12-18/story/new_entertainment_complex_set_for_st_johns_town_center

I don't like that this is completely paralleling the skyway but it should get most of the buses out of the heart of downtown. My only request is that they add bike lanes since they are going to have to rebuild or resurface these streets.

JTA considering bus-only lanes downtown

http://jacksonville.com/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/BusRapidTransit.jpg

Bus-only lanes similar to those now on Blanding Boulevard on Jacksonville’s Westside will be coming to downtown within the next two years.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is moving forward with plans for bus-only lanes on downtown roads, a $12 million project that is the first phase of a long-term plan designed to create the lanes throughout Jacksonville.

JTA expects to advertise for a design contractor in January, hire a contractor a few months later and begin construction in 2011. Neil Nance, JTA design project manager, said the lanes would open sometime in 2012 on portions of Jefferson, Broad, Forsyth and Bay streets north of the Acosta Bridge and on parts of Prudential Drive, Riverplace Boulevard and Kings Avenue on the Southside.

The idea is to make it easier for buses to travel in the congested downtown and at the same time help ease that congestion and provide better service for the bulk of JTA’s customers.

“This will lead to fewer buses downtown,” Executive Director Michael Blaylock said, explaining that other bus routes would be diverted out of the downtown area when the bus-only lanes open up.

“About 80 percent of our bus passengers travel into the downtown area,” said Suraya Teeple, JTA transportation planning manager. “It’s important that we get better infrastructure into the downtown.”

The routes will allow passengers to get out at the new courthouse, a planned Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at the Prime Osborn Convention Center and a proposed San Marco Riverwalk. Hemming Plaza and the San Marco Square will also be within easy walking distance.

About 80 percent of the downtown project is being paid for by the federal government as part of the Federal Transit Administration’s “small starts” process that pays for start-up transit services, said Scott Clem, JTA planning and research director. JTA is paying the rest.

Bus-only lanes are on Blanding, between Morse Avenue and 103rd Street. Future phases would include them on other sections of Blanding and on portions of Lem Turner Road, Arlington Expressway, Beach Boulevard and Philips Highway, all from downtown to the city’s outer reaches.

JTA wants to accomplish all of this within the next 10 years but doesn’t know yet how much it will cost or how it will be paid for.

Unlike Blanding’s 24-hour bus-only lanes, the downtown lanes will be bus-only during rush hour and other busy traffic times. Cars will be allowed during slower traffic times.

Clem said the Blanding lanes, installed early this year, were a test case designed to see how the community would respond.

“It’s been a great success,” Clem said. “Cars are not getting into the lanes and our bus drivers love it because it makes it so much easier to travel that area.”

Except for Jefferson and Broad, the bus-only lanes follow the same route as the Skyway, which hasn’t come close to meeting the ridership estimates anticipated when it was being built.

Teeple said the two systems serve different people. The Skyway was designed for people who drive downtown and then get on the people mover to get closer to where they work, she said, and people using the new lanes will take a bus into the downtown and then transfer over to one of the downtown buses.

JTA’s focus on bus-only lanes has frustrated supporters of commuter rail who believe the city would be better off focusing on that as the main way to move people around more efficiently. The agency is also looking at rail and a streetcar system.

Robert Mann, a retired transportation consultant and long-time supporter of commuter rail, wants to see a light rail system or actual trolley system, instead of buses made up to look like trolleys.

“It won’t be popular because it’s still a bus,” Mann said. The lanes “would be a good complement to commuter rail, but it shouldn’t be the major system of transportation in Jacksonville.”

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-12-18/story/jta_considering_bus_only_lanes_downtown

Jacksonville lives! Thanks for the updates, Lake.

BTW, my son seems to want to go to UNF. He totally loves it, even moreso than UF or UCF.

Very nice streetscaping for Main Street. IMO proper streetscaping is one of the best ways to bring vibrancy to neighborhoods.

Jacksonville needs a nice 70fl tower right in it's CBD. Dont let Miami take the height from the biggest city.

Jacksonville needs a nice 70fl tower right in it's CBD. Dont let Miami take the height from the biggest city.

Ain't happening. In the biggest highrise boom in the history of the state, I don't think Jax managed to erect a single highrise in the CBD proper. Maybe the 22-story Berkman Plaza II ?

The CBD includes the Southbank and Brooklyn (Riverside Ave). Both gained a couple of high and midrises since 2000. Excluding them, the Northbank gained a few but they all were completed before 2003/2004. As for Berkman II, it was never completed. After the garage collapsed and killed a construction worker two years ago, work has ceased.

Berkman II is now a monument to a boom gone bust. The crane was removed back in September.
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/527595621_Pds55-M.jpg

However, DT Jax is hard to compare to smaller Florida DTs, such as Orlando's or even Tampa's. Neither is split by a major river or has a significant amount of decent historic urban building stock in place (at least on Jax's level). With that said, during the boom DT Jax saw more adaptive reuse projects involving abandoned buildings such as the Lynch Building and Carling Hotel take place.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-1471-p1020713.JPG

No need putting up new towers when you can fill long abandoned historic ones.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3185-p1060280.JPG

Personally, I don't think DT Jax needs a 70-story tower. Instead, if given a choice, I'd take 7 ten story infill projects on surface lots and underutilized properties, thus filling in walkability gaps instead. Atlanta has a powerful skyline but I'd rather spend time on the streets of Charleston or DC anyday.

Your right on point Lake. There was an interesting article in the Sunday edition of the Times Union recently that mentioned the high vacancy rate of office space in Jax's CBD at about 22%. :ohno:

Yeah, there really is no market for new major spec office space. Every now and then you'll get a new tower when a specific company needs space (ex. Everbank Plaza or Fidelity) but that's the exception. Jax had a big city downtown 50 years ago while the majority of Florida's DTs were pretty small. When Florida sold out to sprawl, Jax suffered like many of the older northern cities with abandonment, white flight, and a declining manufacturing base. Thus, during the boom, while others saw space created for new uses, Jax saw more abandoned existing spaces being taken for new uses.

Completed in 2008, Everbank Plaza is DT's most recently constructed large office building.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-1463-p1020786.JPG

I am guessing that vacancy rate includes buildings zoned as office space in JAX but are likely not suitable for Class A office space occupancy. It is typically more expensive to conduct a renovation than to build new office space--JAX has plenty of open space and parking lots downtown where new construction can occur, not quite as bad as Tampa but still needs some work. I'm not convinced that the lack of growth in building construction has to do with the conversion of abandoned buildings, though I do hope that JAX can save all that is left of it's historic building stock.

There was a good amount of new building construction in DT Jax during the boom years. We gained at least 4 condo towers, a couple of office buildings, an arena, baseball stadium, a library and a new federal courthouse tower, in addition to the adaptive reuse projects. It just wasn't concentrated in one spot or centralized location. Given that DT Jax is physically larger than most DTs in Florida, the spread out nature of new development makes it seem less significant.

It's only larger than downtown Orlando.

Land wise, its larger than nearly every DT in Florida, except for Miami, when the CBD and Brickell are included. The official borders include the Northbank, Southbank and Brooklyn. The street boundaries are I-95 (west), State St (north), St. Johns River (east) and I-95 (south).

Jacksonville needs on tall skyscraper. Maybe not a 70fl one, but a 50fl plus at least. Outsiders like me always forget that Jacksonville is Florida's largest city, because with the lack of tall ones. With a big tower right in the city center people will be like "dang, the jax is a real ass city man, I never knew that". Right now it looks like a mid-sized suburban city of New York. One glass shinny tower would hush their mouths up tight.

Miami= Party tourism, Orlando= Family Tourism, Tampa Bay= Retired, Relax place, Jacksonville= Economics but it lacks the skyline for it to be the powerhouse!!!

Miami= Party tourism, Orlando= Family Tourism, Tampa Bay= Retired, Relax place!

Not to High jack the thread, but Tampa bay = Party and Family tourism, not just retirees I'm sick of that stereotype.

Back to Jacksonville,... How are things looking for the Skyway? any semi positive news?

I've been hearing about it getting bashed about ridership, I guess the original estimates were 10,000 daily rides, and it only averaged 3,000... well personally 3,000 rides a day for a line that's less than 3 miles, Isn't to bad, that's over a million riders a year. Cost of operation is 3.5 million a year correct? .. why are they only charging 35 cents a ride? bump it up to a buck, you won't lose any riders. Hell the street car in Tampa is 2.50$ 1 way it goes basically the same distance as the skyway, it's pulling just under 500,000 riders a year, not bad for a tourist street car that goes less than 3 miles. It might not fully pay for the skyway but it will help pay for a larger chunk.

What u talking about??

Tampa bay area is all old folks. Clearwater and St Pete's are all northern retirees trying to get some sun into their bones before they pass. People go to tampa to go dolphin watching on their yacht, nothing fun about that.

Miami got the speed boats and party cruise ships, thats where the party is at. Orlando has Disney land full of families. Jacksonville got the business stuff laid down. The Panhandle including gainesville got the old history. Port Charlotte is probably more relax and has more retirees, so that title goes to them.

Now Tampa Bay area is left with nothing lol, you guys are the forgotten part of Florida!!!

^These generalizations sound as if they are coming from the untrained eye of a tourist, no?

What u talking about??

Tampa bay area is all old folks. Clearwater and St Pete's are all northern retirees trying to get some sun into their bones before they pass. People go to tampa to go dolphin watching on their yacht, nothing fun about that.

Miami got the speed boats and party cruise ships, thats where the party is at. Orlando has Disney land full of families. Jacksonville got the business stuff laid down. The Panhandle including gainesville got the old history. Port Charlotte is probably more relax and has more retirees, so that title goes to them.

Now Tampa Bay area is left with nothing lol, you guys are the forgotten part of Florida!!!
You must had visited another Tampa Bay. Just what one I don't have any clue. But I've lived in this Tampa Bay for 10 years come next month and I know what this place delivers.

When people think of clearwater, St Pete's or Town and Country they think of boring old people. I am only going on what vactioners in the north say. Tampa might be a lot better than the other cities in the Tampa Bay area.

Nobody talks about Tampa Bay in Toronto anyways. It's all Key West, Miami or Orlando.
Don't playa hate on me playa hate the situation.

When people think of clearwater, St Pete's or Town and Country they think of boring old people. I am only going on what vactioners in the north say. Tampa might be a lot better than the other cities in the Tampa Bay area.

Nobody talks about Tampa Bay in Toronto anyways. It's all Key West, Miami or Orlando.
Don't playa hate on me playa hate the situation.

LOL, Playa hate, you sound like a corn ball, you can't even use slang in the right context.

Throwing in Town-n-Country into the mix shows how misinformed you are, TnC is a predominantly Hispanic suburb of Tampa, filled with young people and young families, not retirees.

I bet they Talk about Tampa bay anytime the Ray's and Lightning are stomping out the Blue Jays and Maple leafs.

Here are a few renderings of the proposed Jacksonville Transportation Center. If JTA can win stimulus money, the first phase (BRT, Skyway, transportation office building) will break ground in 2010. Future phases include Amtrak, commuter rail, streetcar, greyhound and local bus terminals.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page041/744225755_6ddBT-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page055/744225823_ddBfc-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page061/744225864_WsJrk-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page063/744225875_p7CSn-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page088/744226225_VWrZr-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page075/744226079_RbC3N-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Jax-Transportation-Center/DDRBMeetingPacketDec09Page069/744225950_wtwJg-M.jpg
Very good stuff. Do you know why they closed the Jacksonville Terminal and moved the Amtrak station to it's present location?

Train travel declined and they probably did not want to pay to maintain such a large structure for a few trains a day. During the terminal's heyday, it was the largest in the South seeing 142 trains and 20,000 passengers a day. People were also fleeing the urban core at the time.

As always, thank you!

Here are a few images of the terminal during its heyday.

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc02736.jpg

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc09649.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-6864-jacksonvilleaclchamp-1.jpg

Here are a few images of the terminal during its heyday.

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc02736.jpg

http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc09649.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-6864-jacksonvilleaclchamp-1.jpg
Thank you.

You know, I often drive through here on the way to my grandmas house, and I have one question; why is the north side of Jacksonville so empty? It's like I pass through miles of swampland within Duval County before I finally hit downtown. It's just like South Carolina right across from the Savannah river!

Because Jacksonville and Duval County were merged together in 1968. Every ounce of Duval that isn't the cities of Baldwin, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach or Neptune Beach, is considered the City of Jacksonville. Prior to 1968, the actual city limits were south of the Trout River. As for still being primarily undeveloped and swampland, a good portion of the Northside is marsh. You can't drain wetlands like they used to a century ago for new development.

As for still being primarily undeveloped and swampland, a good portion of the Northside is marsh. You can't drain wetlands like they used to a century ago for new development.

Conservation of wetlands shouldn't be a problem. There are two large parks right across the border in Georgia that take care of that (Okefenokee and Cumberland Island). I assume that isn't enough for the environmentalists.

There's really no need to drain wetlands in Duval for sprawl. We have enough of it already. Hopefully, we'll start to see more new/redevelopment in areas of the city that allow higher densities and where public infrastructure has already been invested.

Does anyone remember way back when the Modis Building was the Independent Life Building and the lobby was a veritable beehive of activity ? It had shops and restaurants in around the core of the lobby ringed by several cafeterias. There were also nice sitting areas which were lushly landscaped.

It was a fairly intense, urban experience for a small-town kid like me.

I grew up in Central Florida and we never really visited DT Jax (other than driving through it from the inner city neighbors to visit friends), so I did not get to see the amount of activity you describe. Nevertheless, it still has a fair amount of retail shops and places today.

Original ground level floor plan
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/463985053_EZuEM-M.jpg

Some images from the ground floor today
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/463673393_bzRyg-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/463673766_Zsfec-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/463674027_tZ5JK-M.jpg

An image from the top
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/465939444_R9Xtz-M.jpg


The retail spaces all have indoor entrances, so the ground level is like a mall. It would be better for DT if they switched them around individually to open onto the street. Then there would be a reason for people to walk and hangout on the sidewalks on that entire block.
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/463673352_hc3vU-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/463673570_vFAcz-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/463672994_AKKx6-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/463672990_XJM35-M.jpg

Okay, it didn't drop off quite as much as I though. You're right about the inward orientation. I thought that they had a McAlister's Deli that had an external entrance.

The only place with an external entrance currently is the Atrium Grill's outdoor seating area. However, their main entrance is on the inside with the rest of the banks, restaurants, retail stores, salons, etc. This is also the same for the Wachovia/Omni, BOA, Ed Ball and Southern Bell towers. DT Jax's street scene could completely change overnight just by working with the owners of the major towers to give their retailers a stronger integrated connection at street level. At this point, imo it would be a lot easier and cheaper to better expose and utilize whats already in place then dish out tons of incentives to lure additional retail. My guess is with better street traffic being generated by those already downtown, those streets would instantly become attractive for additional retailers to help fill in the gaps.

Recent images from the courthouse construction site:

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/761305835_LuNtj-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/761305891_JbANX-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/761306167_6EqW2-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/761306245_4vx36-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/761305949_6P6Th-M.jpg

I heard on the local news this morning that the new Duval County Courthouse should top out mid June.

I guess we'll see. However, it is going up pretty fast. I plan to go out and snap a few shots this weekend.

I can't believe how much the Southbank has changed since I left Jax 23 years ago. Jacksonville has come a long way since Independent Life, Gulf Life, Southern Bell, Blue Cross, CSX and Atlantic Bank were the only buildings
in the downtown area...opps I forgot about Prudential.

Before the economy tanked, there were a few developments on the Southbank in the works that would have rivaled the Northbank in size. I believe there were a couple of proposals that were between 450-500' in height if I'm not mistaken. :ohno:

A couple of projects, like the St. John, were in the 600 - 750ft range.

A couple of projects, like the St. John, were in the 600 - 750ft range.

Are those project dead in the water or do you think they might move forward once the economy is back on track? If those projects do in fact get off the ground do you see them scaling back?

^^ :dunno:

I believe every single highrise residential project that has not been built in Florida, is virtually dead for all intents and purposes. However, when the economy really recovers (which I think is years away), a few should come back in some sort of form or fashion.

Hopefully when things get back to normal Jax will again crank up the development machine. The problem is everywhere. Here in Baltimore
a 44 story(500') Four Season Hotel and Residences that was under construction get cut in half...:bash:. The developer took the crains down
when they reached the 21st floor. Such a disappointment.

Ahh man that sucks!! :down:

Here are some recent courthouse images:

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Construction-Update-May2010/P1350393/875159655_xTMYf-L.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Construction-Update-May2010/P1350416/875159705_8a2rg-L.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Construction-Update-May2010/P1350331/875159507_GfwLh-L.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Construction-Update-May2010/P1350328/875159459_YWiT6-L.jpg

http://jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/met_LauraStreetTrioR.jpg

Team hopes revamped trio trumps Jacksonville's downtown reputation

Developers present plans for retail, restaurants and apartments at the Laura Street Trio.

Four abandoned, historic buildings in the heart of downtown Jacksonville would become a hub of hotels, apartments and restaurants in a plan being unveiled today by developers.

The development team — Linea LLC of Jacksonville and Capital City Partners of Tallahassee — is scheduled to show off its proposals alongside Mayor John Peyton.

The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission is discussing how the city could provide financial support for the project. Under “the right conditions,” a proposal could go to the JEDC in the next couple of months, possibly at the commission’s July meeting, said Executive Director Ron Barton.

The total investment for the project would be roughly $70 million, according to the developers.

The restoration would target a block of Laura Street flanked by the 18-story Barnett Bank Building and the Laura Street Trio: the two-story Marble Bank Building; 10-story Bisbee Building; and 11-story Florida Life Building.

In addition, the developers would build an eight-story apartment building nearby. Altogether, the project would have about 120 hotel rooms and 137 apartments, plus a variety of restaurants and street-level stores. The Marble Bank Building would be tapped for upscale dining.

Capital City Partners has already made its mark on downtown Tallahassee with Hotel Duval, a $15 million renovation of a 1951 building. Hotel Duval attracts both hotel guests and young professionals who go to the hotel’s restaurant and lounges for after-work and weekend socializing.

full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-05-25/story/team-hopes-revamped-laura-street-trio-trumps-downtown-reputation

Nice updates on the courthouse Lakelander. I drove by there last week and didn't realize how far it has indeed come along.

Baptist Medical Center plans $200 million tower

by Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor

Baptist Medical Center will ask for approvals, but no public funds, this week to build a $200 million, 11-story tower at its Downtown Southbank Campus.

Baptist will ask the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission during its Thursday meeting for a resolution of support approving development rights.

Baptist, a full-service medical center, plans a combination adult and pediatric replacement bed tower and surgery, diagnostic and treatment center that it calls the Wolfson Children’s Hospital/Adult Tower.

In the commission’s project summary, Baptist reports the project will replace some existing, aging buildings on the campus.

The new tower would be a 339,404-square-foot center with six floors of a children’s hospital topped by five floors of an adult hospital.

Baptist Medical Center has requested, and the City has agreed, to reserve certain development rights. Baptist Medical Center has agreed to make public improvements in return.

According to the summary, Baptist Medical Center presented conceptual plans to the commission’s Downtown Development Review Board in May 2008 and received conceptual approval.

According to the commission’s project summary, Baptist Medical Center doesn’t expect to hire additional employees but intends to maintain current employee levels.

The redevelopment agreement shows that the developer, Southern Baptist Hospital of Florida Inc., proposes to:

• Demolish an existing 84-bed nursing unit, known as the Southeast Unit, and the 161-bed, five-story east wing of the Main Building, which total about 80,000 square feet.

• In their place, build an 11-story, 237-bed hospital tower within Baptist Medical Center’s property on 17.7 acres owned by the developer.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=531165

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5386-slide28.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-5369-slide33.JPG

Great news for the Southbank, it should create more jobs for the local economy. :okay:

New $35 Million VA Center for Jacksonville Unveiled
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/PandC/VAClinicElevation.jpg

Quote:
By Kevin Turner
When Debbie Ward joined the Jacksonville Veterans Administration clinic in 2003 as administrative officer, the facility had one location in Springfield.

Since then, it’s expanded to three additional branches — one on Eighth Street opposite Shands Jacksonville and two near Interstate 95 and Butler Boulevard.

And today, the clinic has outgrown all four, she said. But with the coming construction of a $35 million, two-story, 135,500-square-foot facility, the clinic will get both expanded capacity and expanded services when it opens in 2012.

Designs for the new facility have been unveiled, and with the new building, the VA will offer expanded medical services for women, primary care, radiology and new equipment to house all of its services. With its opening, only the facility at 6900 Southpoint Drive N. will remain open as a satellite clinic, Ward said.

http://jacksonville.com/business/2010-11-10/story/plans-new-35-million-va-clinic-jacksonville-unveiled

Here is the November Urban Core Construction Update. I have permission from Lakelander aka Ennis Davis to post his photos because he runs the awesome website MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com) and does not have the time to update the rest of the world. All of these photos are his, and he collected them over the past week or so.

New Duval County Courthouse

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/courthouse1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/courthouse2.jpg

200 Riverside (a mixed use development with a 4 floor office component above 2 parking levels connected to a 5 floor hotel, retail, a restaurant, and a park…future space for condos)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/200riverside1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/200riverside2.jpg

Wolfson’s Adult Hospital Tower (12 floors)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/wolfsons1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/wolfsons2.jpg

Laura Street Streetscape

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/laurast1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/laurast2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/laurast3.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/laurast4.jpg

San Marco Blvd Streetscape

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/sanmarco1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/sanmarco2.jpg

St. Johns Avenue Streetscape

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/stjohnsave1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/stjohnsave2.jpg

Treaty Oak Park Renovation

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/treatyoak1.jpg

Friendship Fountain/Park Renovation

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/friendshipfountain1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/friendshipfountain2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/friendshipfountain3.jpg

Farah’s Uptown Deli

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/farahsuptowndeli1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/farahsuptowndeli2.jpg

Farah and Farah office renovations

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/farahandfarah1.jpg

Poppy Loves Smoke addition (wine and cigar bar in downtown)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/poppylovessmoke1.jpg

Lerner Shops renovations possibly resuming (Downtown)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/lernershops1.jpg

Fresenius Medical Center (San Marco)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/freseniusmedical1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/freseniusmedical2.jpg

Hurricane Grill (San Marco)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/hurricanegrill.jpg

Radiance Yoga Studio San Marco (A bikram yoga studio)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/radianceofsanmarco1.jpg

Schulte Design (San Marco)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/schultedesign.jpg

Pulp Juice (Avondale)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/pulpjuice1.jpg

Mojo BBQ (Avondale)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/mojobbq.jpg

5th and Liberty (Springfield...it will be a house, I met the owners once)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/5thandliberty1.jpg

John Gorrie Middle School Loft Conversion (Riverside)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/johngorrie1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/johngorrie3.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/johngorrie3-1.jpg

Labcorp (Avondale/Riverside across from St. Vincent’s…I use Labcorp here in Atlanta and they’re good)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/November%20Update/labcorp.jpg

JetBlue Announces New Nonstop Service to San Juan, PR (http://www.jaa.aero/AboutUs/pressreleaseview.aspx?id=361)

This is great news for Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Port Authority handles almost all trade between PR and the US. Jacksonville is also home to a large and rapidly growing Puerto Rican population. Jetblue is really expanding in the FL markets, Jax being no exception. Jetblue currently only flies to Boston and NYC-JFK from JIA.

Southwest Announces New Daily Service to Denver (http://www.jaa.aero/AboutUs/pressreleaseview.aspx?id=365)

Great news for Tebow fans! :) No but in all seriousness this is a great business connection and great for connecting Jax residents to one of the best winter sports destinations. It will also be a boon for bringing Denver residents to Jax for vacations and golf outings. Currently Southwest flies to 10 destinations from JIA and has almost 30 daily flights.

New Roads Could Give Jacksonville's Northside a Boost (http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-11-14/story/new-roads-could-give-jacksonvilles-northside-boost)

Florida Times Union Image from Sunday's paper
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/northsideroads.jpg

By David Baurlein

The Northside redevelopment district that helped spur growth of Jacksonville International Tradeport and construction of River City Marketplace could get a new mission in coming years — expand the road network in a 22.5-square-mile area in the vicinity of the airport.

The goal would be to accommodate rising traffic while improving the climate for commercial development and job growth in the area.

That’s the vision put forward by the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission in regard to the Jacksonville International Airport Community Redevelopment Area.

The JEDC has approved a guiding document called the North Jacksonville Action Plan that identifies six road projects costing an estimated $181 million. One recommendation is to build a flyover ramp from northbound Interstate 95 to Airport Road, giving motorists a quicker route to their flights than the existing off-ramp with its traffic light.

Read the rest of the article in quote above.

This Just In Within the Hour: Delta to Add 4 New Daily Nonstops to Miami

Delta Boosts International Flights in 2011 (http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Delta+Boosts+International+Flights+in+2011/6111181.html)

Effective March 26, Delta will add five new daily round-trip flights between Miami and Orlando; four new daily round-trip flights between Miami and Jacksonville; and five new daily round-trip flights between Miami and Tampa/St. Petersburg. The flights will be timed to facilitate new connections to trans-Atlantic flights from Miami. In addition to the new service to London-Heathrow, Delta's joint venture partners Air France-KLM and Alitalia offer nonstop flights from Miami to their hubs in Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam, Milan and Rome.

So for JIA that means announced within the past month new service to San Juan, PR, Denver, and Miami. JIA has also been expanding and building like crazy the past 5 years (2 new concourses, new baggage claim, new parking garages, new Aloft Hotel, new Hyatt Place, UC new terminal connection).

New renderings of the Wolfson Children's Hospital/Adult tower currently under construction on the Southbank.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Wolfsons-Childrens-Hospital/DDRBMeetingPacketDec2010Page19/1110955052_JnE3b-L.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Wolfsons-Childrens-Hospital/DDRBMeetingPacketDec2010Page18/1110955048_pPBbP-L.jpg

Awesome thanks...Lake, what do you think of eventually moving the Jacksonville Development thread to the Southeast forum? The Florida forum is kind of slow, and frankly while Jacksonville is very much a part of Florida, I think it's also part of the South and I like where the South is headed (want to be part of that and in the same category/league as Charlotte, Nashville, Nola, Austin, etc).

I think you and I are the last remaining Jacksonvillians who check out these forums because everyone else has joined MetroJacksonville and posts there.

First of all, welcome to the First Coast simms3. I used to frequent this thread on a regular basis at the height of the development boom but there really isn't a whole lot going on right now. I haven't joined MetroJacksonville as of yet because I primarily go on the site just to browse around from time to time. I will more than likely join the site once the development activity picks back up again. Btw, those are some awesome shots of Jax that you have posted in the S.E. Forum. :okay:

Awesome thanks...Lake, what do you think of eventually moving the Jacksonville Development thread to the Southeast forum? The Florida forum is kind of slow, and frankly while Jacksonville is very much a part of Florida, I think it's also part of the South and I like where the South is headed (want to be part of that and in the same category/league as Charlotte, Nashville, Nola, Austin, etc).

I think you and I are the last remaining Jacksonvillians who check out these forums because everyone else has joined MetroJacksonville and posts there.

The Jax thread here has never been popular but I try and post stuff here from time to time so people at SSC can keep up with what's going on in the city. A thread in the Southeast section would probably be more active but that's not my call to make. That would be up to SSC moderators.

I'm new in town guys. 6 months now splitting my time between South Florida and Jax because of a business venture. I'll probably be in town for a while (several years), I guess I'll check out MetroJacksonville for more in stuff in town.

Welcome to Jacksonville.

First of all, welcome to the First Coast simms3.

LoL I'm not exactly new around here :) I was raised in Jacksonville, I am only in Atlanta for college. I'll probably be God knows where sometime this year if I can land a job in RE investments/development (know anyone who's hiring? ;))

-I'll get around to gathering some opinions from moderators. I started a P&C thread in SSP under City Compilations. SSP is definitely more for American cities so it's pointless to start one here on SSC in the City Compilations Forum.

The Park View Pavilion project is anticipated to get underway later this month. The project involves the partial demolition of an abandoned hotel and the restoration of one of state's first automobile dealerships (original Claude Nolan Cadillac complex) across the street. Here are a few renderings from Metro Jacksonville:

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1115474799_Apd5j-M.jpg
Hotel in the 1960s. Claude Nolan Cadillac can be seen behind the hotel on the left.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1114188589_3vdbZ-M.jpg
Abandoned Park View Inn hotel today.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1098419935_Xjiq9-M.jpg
Claude Nolan Cadillac in 1913.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1114372377_DyT5o-M.jpg
Claude Nolan Cadillac today.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/453853945_hZ523-M.jpg
The hotel rooms will be demolished. However, the parking garage will remain and serve the new development.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1116671687_ApyAi-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1116668785_otH3E-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1116668732_AfQuF-M.jpg

When completed, the Park View Pavilion complex will include a 350 space parking garage and 60,000 square feet of retail, entertainment and residential uses.

I'm afraid I don't make it over here or to MetroJax but very rarely, so a lot of the stuff that's going on in Jax is news to me unless it's mentioned on the local tv newscasts.

I was watching 12 the other day and it was mentioned that a Tiffany's jewelry store was opening up in the Town Center. I hate to admit it, but my first thought was "Tiffany's has outlet stores?".:lol: Shannon Ogden proceded with the story and I realized that it was an honest-to-goodness Tiffany's. I was kinda in shock. I thought all the really highend stores avoided Jax like the plague. Although I personally have no reason to want or need to set foot in a Tiffany's, I do believe this will be very good for Jax's retail scene. Plus, all that money that Jax people spend on Tif's jewelry won't be going to out of town stores (Orlando and Atlanta).

Some news briefs:

Tiffany's opens its 10th FL store and 82nd US store this past Friday at the St. Johns Town Center. It is nestled between Mayor's and Louis Vuitton.

Tiffany's Opening on Friday (http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2010/12/08/tiffanys-opens-friday.html)

$399 million Hanjin terminal design moving forward again, finally. This is a new container terminal at the port for the Korean shipping line. The union (longshoremen) is what has been holding this up. It is expected to open in 2014 on the site of the current cruise terminal, which is being relocated.

Hanjin Terminal Moving Forward (http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2010/12/08/hanjin.html)

American Eagle adds 2 daily flights to Miami. This is on the heels of Delta adding 4 daily flights to Miami, Jetblue adding a daily flight to San Juan, PR, and Southwest adding a daily flight to Denver. Now Jax will have 11 daily flights to Miami.

American Eagle adds 2 flights to Miami (http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2010/12/10/american-eagle-adds-4-flights-to-miami.html)

New parking meters being installed downtown.

Finally, we are jumping on the solar powered smart meter bandwagon. These meters actually look better than those I use here in Atlanta (numbered space, walk up to very very user unfriendly terminal, get mad and ripped off).

Picture is taken by fieldafm (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1772) at MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com)
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/parkingmeters.jpg

Now for the anticipated December Urban Core Construction Update:

Pictures were taken on a Sunday morning, I believe. TheLakelander (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=29) at MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/) (and here) took these photos as he so graciously does every month. All credits go to him, but he is busy running that website and just being awesome, and recently posting more over here, too, which is good! :D

Brooklyn Central Park

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/Brooklynpark2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/Brooklynpark.jpg

Duval County Courthouse (and to think what we could have had for less :()

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/Courthouse1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/Courthouse2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/COurthouse3.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/Courthouse4.jpg

Law Offices of Farah and Farah renovations and side garden

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/FarahandFarah2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/FarahandFarah.jpg

Farah's Uptown Deli

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/FarahsUptownDeli.jpg

Fresenius Medical Care San Marco

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/FreseniusMedicalCareSanMarco.jpg

Friendship Fountain restoration

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/FriendshipFountain1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/FriendshipFountain2.jpg

John Gorrie Middle School loft conversion

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/Gorrieschool1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/gorrieschool2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/gorrieschool3.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/gorrieschool4.jpg

Hurricane Grill Wings and Bar in San Marco

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/HurricaneGrillSanMarco.jpg

Laura Street streetscape

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/LauraStstreetscape2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/LauraStstreetscape.jpg

Lerner Shops Building

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/LernerShops.jpg

Mojo Barbeque going in here in Avondale

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/mojobbq.jpg

Pulp Juice Bar going in here in Avondale

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/pulpjuicebar.jpg

Radiance of San Marco, a Bikram Yoga Studio

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/RadianceofSanMarcoaBikramYogaStudio.jpg

San Marco Boulevard streetscape

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/SanMarcoBlvdStreetscape.jpg

Schulte Design San Marco

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/SchulteDesignSanMarco.jpg

Main Street Car Wash in Springfield

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/SpringfieldCarWash.jpg

Treaty Oak Park restoration

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/TreatyOak1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/TreatyOak2.jpg

Wolfson's Hospital Adult Tower - 12 floors, 190 ft. going vertical

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/Wolfsons1.jpg

Yobe Frozen yogurt going in Avondale

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/December%20Construction%20Update/yobefrozenyogurt.jpg

Great pics!

Simms, where did you go to high school, if I might ask?

Here are a few images of a couple of major construction projects underway in DT Jax right now.

Duval County Courthouse
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179535807_LhoGa-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179535910_5ALFQ-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179535622_gKhDe-M.jpg


Laura Street Streetscape
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179534251_YcaWG-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179534382_xPPtv-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179539455_7vJpD-M.jpg


Wolfson Children's Hospital/Adult Tower
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179538245_iJdD5-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179538342_mFwhu-M.jpg


San Marco Boulevard Streetscape
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179538031_UDkod-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179538143_VKwvY-M.jpg

Brooklyn Central Park
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179536004_ZShQU-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1179536113_ACAUW-M.jpg

June 2011 Urban Core Construction Update

Note: 14 pictures and some Youtube videos of a few, select projects in town. If a project had no visibile progress or was too irrelevant of a size/scope to include, then it was not included. thelakelander on MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/) took these photos this past Sunday morning (I believe...it's when he normally takes photos). He takes photos every month for updates.

To view the original photos and discussion of the updates visit MetroJacksonville - June Construction Update (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-urban-core-construction-update-june-2011) for more information.

1. Wolfson's Children's Hospital Adult Tower (12 floors)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/BaptistWolfsonsHospitalTower1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/BaptistWolfsonsHospitalTower2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/BaptistWolfsonsHospitalTower3.jpg

Then overstreet on MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/) took the following:

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/BaptistWolfsonsHospitalTower4overstreet.jpg

2. Friendship Fountain Park

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/FriendshipFountain1.jpg

Some Youtube videos...

A music light show test to an Akon song
uRofiK4fFVc

And the fountain is now officially working again! The central jets (100-150 ft high) are going...
-CJZ7Z0sigQ

3. Museum Circle (Southbank near MOSH and Friendship Fountain)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/MuseumCircle.jpg

4. John Gorrie Middle School Loft Conversio (Riverside...now mostly complete)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/JohnGorrieSchoolConversion2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/JohnGorrieSchoolConversion3.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/JohnGorrieSchoolConversion.jpg

5. San Marco Streetscape

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/SanMarcostreetscape1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/SanMarcostreetscape2.jpg

6. The 2nd new Yoga place to go in San Marco this year

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/MBodyYogaSanMarco.jpg

7. Meanwhile Shoppes of Avondale must be taking a hit if they have to stoop so low and bring in a nail salon...

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/shoppes1.jpg

8. New Italian Restaraunt going in the Park and King District (officially divides Riverside and Avondale)...this old pharmacy was deemed a "pill mill" and was gutted this past week.

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/to-be-namedItalianrestaurant.jpg

June 2011 Beaches Construction Update

Note: 4 pictures of a few, select projects around the beaches in Jacksonville (I have never done this, and neither has my source since the condo boom went bust 3 years ago). If a project had no visibile progress or was too irrelevant of a size/scope to include, then it was not included. thelakelander on MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/) took these photos this past Sunday morning (I believe...it's when he normally takes photos).

To view the original photos and discussion of the updates visit MetroJacksonville - June Beaches Construction Update (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-beaches-construction-update-june-2011) for more information.

1. Redone shopping center in inner Jax Beach (10th and 11 St N)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/beachesshoppingcenterredo1.jpg

2. Former Ocean Club has been renovated and is now Club O. It's right on the beach.

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/beachesredoneClubO.jpg

3. The Pier, a new restaurant that looks like it is a suburban outparcel on the other side of the ICW.

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/BeachesThePiernewrestaurant.jpg

4. The long awaited Publix Shopping Center redo on Atlantic Blvd in Atlantic Beach...

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/BeachesnewPublixPlaza.jpg


Wish there were high-rises going up all over the place like there were 5 years ago.

Since the 1960s, Friendship Fountain has been a staple of Jacksonville history, culture, and identity. It was built on 14 acres of land donated by the Southside Businessman's Club and was constructed at an original cost of $1.7 million. It was the largest and tallest fountain in the world at the time and became a major tourist attraction.

After repairs in 1985 and 2001, 2 of the 3 original pumps died 2 months after the city hosted the Super Bowl in 2005. It wasn't until a $3.2 million renovation of the fountain and the surrounding parks this year that all 3 pumps were in working condition again. The re-opening celebration was on Saturday, June 18th, and was attended by the original architect Taylor Hardwick, as well as the mayor and other local "dignitaries."

The following pics are taken by a combination of myself, and three members of MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com). I'll try to give appropriate credit where it is due, but I don't even know who took what picture.

Bear with me because there are quite a few pictures and I will break them down into 2-3 posts. This fountain has symbolized the city and its economic development for many decades, and when it died, figuratively speaking, it was seen as the death of downtown. Now that it has opened and we have a new mayor in office who publicly and vocally supports downtown, I think we have seen the rise of the Phoenix, so to say.

Original article with even more pictures and more background is here: Friendship Fountain Grand Reopening (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-friendship-fountain-grand-reopening).

This is Friendship Fountain site in 1948.
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendship1948.jpg

This is Friendship Fountain shortly after it opened in the 1960s.
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendship1960s.jpg

The following 3 pictures are old, fuzzy pictures of the fountain of mine. Taken last year and 2 years ago from the 43rd floor of Jacksonville's tallest and from right near the fountain. This fountain has a limp dick.
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/DowntownJax014-2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/SpringBreak2010028.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/Downtown%20Jax%20Aerials%20Nightlife%20and%20More/DowntownJax179.jpg

This image by TheLakelander on MetroJacksonville.
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendship2yearsago.jpg

Grand Re-opening Part Two.

The following images are by Thelakelander on MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com).

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshipwow.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshippeople.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshippark.jpg

Flashmob
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshipflashmob.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshipflashmob2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshipplaque.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshipplaque2.jpg

Riverwalk repair...this will now commence for another mile down the river.
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshipriverwalk.jpg

The following images are taken by either Steve Congro or Mike Field of MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com).

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshipevening.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshipnight1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/friendshipnight2.jpg

1534 Oak Street breaks ground.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-1534-oak-street-breaks-ground

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/1534-Oak-Street/i-JnhG3LV/0/L/P6270046-L.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/1534-Oak-Street/i-6CNWQtZ/0/XL/graphic-filesPage1-XL.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/1534-Oak-Street/i-s87rMJP/0/XL/graphic-filesPage5-XL.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-inside-the-john-gorrie-lofts

Random sampling of pics taken by Lakelander of the inside of the loft conversion of the John Gorrie Junior High, built in 1923 in Riverside. 68 residences with prices ranging from $102K for a small studio to $312K for a larger 2 bedroom "townhome". Old school loft conversions are not a new thing to Jacksonville as several other schools and old buildings have been converted, mainly in Riverside, Avondale, San Marco, and Springfield.

http://thejohngorrie.discovertecweb.com/neighborhoods.aspx

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/gorrie1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/gorrie2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/gorrie3.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/gorrie4.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/gorrie5.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/gorrie6.jpg


These lofts are at the intersection of Stockton and College St, where there is a streetscape project ongoing. Across the street in a small commercial strip is one of the city's best restaurants (which has been featured on Food Network) 13 Gypsies (http://www.13gypsies.com/about.htm), a true Spanish tradition. It is the best Spanish food in town and is 110% authentic to Andalucia. Chef and Sous chef are both from Spain.

Also within walking distance is the King St nightlife district which is also growing into a brewery district, complete with 2 and ever increasing breweries. A sampling of what residents can walk to:

Walkers:: http://www.walkersbar.com/
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/walkers_main.jpghttp://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/June%20Construction%202011/walkers.jpg

http://www.intuitionaleworks.com/
http://www.boldcitybrewery.com/index.php
https://www.facebook.com/kickbacksgastropub (600 bottled beers and 84 on tap)
Rogue (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-jun-new-projects-venues-make-a-king-street-district) and Loft (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-jun-new-projects-venues-make-a-king-street-district)
Park Place (LGBT bar)

and many more. It's a great location.

A smattering of local ongoing projects.

From left to right:

John Gorrie Junior High loft conversion, the small highlighted triangle is where 1234 Oak is going up (see above), the highlighted section of highway is really a park underneath that will connect Riverside Park with Riverside Art Market on the river, and across the river the square is the 200 ft addition to the Wolfson's Adult hospital and the strip is the San Marco streetscape project leading to the square (not pictured).

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/jaxprojectsjuly2011.jpg

Some images of the new tower at Baptist Medical Center from this weekend:

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Urban-Construction-July11/i-5HVQb9Z/0/XL/P1470959-XL.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Urban-Construction-July11/i-MxBDbtM/0/XL/P1470955-XL.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Urban-Construction-July11/i-7Pc9xP8/0/XL/P1470940-XL.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Urban-Construction-July11/i-pvnJZ5V/0/XL/P1470942-XL.jpg

^^ Nice update shots Lakelander, I drove past the site just last week but couldn't take any pics.

Jax made today's banner ya'll!! :righton:

Some awesome pictures of Jax in here. I've only been there twice just driving through to get in and out of Georgia. Maybe next time I'll stop and smell the roses.

August 2011 Urban Core Construction Update

Note: Just a few preview pics. thelakelander on MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/) took these photos this past Sunday morning (I believe...it's when he normally takes photos). He takes photos every month for updates.

To view the original photos and discussion of the updates visit MetroJacksonville - August Construction Update (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-aug-urban-construction-update-august-2011) for more information.

1. Wolfson's Children's Hospital Adult Tower (12 floors)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/Wolfsons1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/Wolfsons2.jpg

2. New VA Clinic (Springfield/Northside)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/VAClinic2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/VAClinic1.jpg

3. Chew, 5 Points (3 floors triangular lot, contemporary design, rooftop terrace)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/Chew5Points2.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/Chew5Points1.jpg

4. Jacksonville Electric Authority Tower garage reclad

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/JEATowerGarageReclad.jpg

5. Northpointe Towne Center (new community center for very depressed area on Northside, financed by TIF)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/NorthpointTownCenter1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/NorthpointTownCenter2.jpg

6. Paul Davis Restorations (Springfield)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/PaulDavisRestorations.jpg

7. Bold Bean Coffee (Riverside)

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/August%20Construction%202011/BoldBeanCoffeeRiverside.jpg

i just love this city i wanna go back there but can't affort it tickets are very expensive now days.

^^ Great updates!

It's great to be able to see the goings-on in the old hometown!

Here are a few random images from the Metro Jacksonville September 2011 urban core construction update.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1482495695_CnPDSkc-M.jpg
Duval County Courthouse

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1482492164_ssGcShd-M.jpg
Restoration of the old federal courthouse. This historic building will become a part of the new county courthouse complex.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1482494990_DQbFx3k-M.jpg
Baptist/Wolfson's Tower

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1482495343_WcbwBRJ-M.jpg
San Marco Boulevard Streetscape

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1482493955_rnQTjkB-M.jpg
1534 Oak Street (infill mixed use building)

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1357556303_qP9h52T-M.jpg
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1357556290_6CNWQtZ-M.jpg
1534 Oak Street renderings

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1482494664_cMWfjJ3-M.jpg
Stockton Street Streetscape

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1479254382_GcQHzNh-M.jpg
Jefferson Street Streetscape - Shands Medical District

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1479254385_gLrWCMh-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1479254517_4NtsKtc-M.jpg
Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic - Shands Medical District

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1479254458_FfqDmNz-M.jpg
Park View Pavilion - Demo down to old parking garage nearing completion

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1488986277_ZGrFWvc-M.jpg
Northpoint Town Center

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-sep-urban-construction-update-september-2011

November Construction Update

Note: 6 pictures of a few, select projects in town.thelakelander on MetroJacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/) took these photos last week.

To view the original photos and discussion of the updates visit MetroJacksonville - November Construction Update (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-nov-urban-construction-update-november-2011) for more information.

1. - Wolfson Adult Hospital Tower

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/Jacksonville%20November%20Update/wolfson1.jpg

2. - New VA Clinic

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/Jacksonville%20November%20Update/va1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/Jacksonville%20November%20Update/va2.jpg

3. - US courthouse renovation

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/Jacksonville%20November%20Update/courthouse.jpg

4. - 1534 Oak St
http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/Jacksonville%20November%20Update/1534oak1.jpg

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jsimms3/April%20Construction%20Update/Jacksonville%20November%20Update/1534oak2.jpg

I had no idea that Winn-Dixie was up for sale especially after the company just went through some restructuring.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45723409/ns/local_news-jacksonville_fl/

Wow, this will be strange, no more Winn Dixie.

Evidently, they're going to keep the Winn-Dixie stores the same. No word on where the corporate headquarters will be located. Nevertheless, it will now be a private company, so we'll lose one of our 4 F500s.

Btw, here are a few updated pics of construction projects in and around downtown.

Duval County Courthouse

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1633798076_8mfqZrf-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1633798070_H4QRRqs-M.jpg


Baptist/Wolfson's Tower
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1633797576_rSVC574-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1633797566_dgKh2sP-M.jpg


1534 Oak Street
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1633797658_BPr3KFT-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1633797634_DfFvNxp-M.jpg


Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1633797948_vBspjcP-M.jpg

Oh, and this announcement yesterday was overshadowed by Winn-Dixie's sell. Now the largest Florida-based bank and after purchasing naming rights for Everbank Field, Everbank is leaving the burbs for downtown.

EverBank to move Downtown, AT&T Tower 301 becomes EverBank Center

EverBank Financial Corp. executives announced this morning that the company has signed an agreement to lease about 270,000 square feet in AT&T Tower 301, which will be renamed EverBank Center.
The Jacksonville-based bank said it will relocate more than 1,500 employees to the area. An incentives agreement with the City and state called for 1,000 jobs to be moved and 200 to be created.

EverBank was facing a Thursday deadline to execute an incentives deal with the state that, along with a deal from the City, will provide $5.15 million in tax refunds and training assistance to the company in return for the Downtown move and job creation.

EverBank now can file for permits to build out the space at the tower at 301 W. Bay St.

EverBank will occupy nine floors of the building. In addition to office space, EverBank Center is expected to include a fitness center, Wi-Fi hot spots, a food court and a national vendor coffee shop.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=535190

Btw, here are a few updated pics of construction projects in and around downtown.

Duval County Courthouse

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1633798076_8mfqZrf-M.jpg

Every time I see this courthouse, it reminds me of the clock tower from "Back to the Future 2" on steroids. I like it.:banana:

Some pics from January 2012:

Baptist Medical Center:
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1671402645_smv2xMW-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1671402680_JfncHKx-M.jpg


1534 Oak Street:
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1671400272_XD95HXF-M.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1671400044_69ncgNb-M.jpg

Another major employer is moving their suburban workers back downtown:

Another sign to identify the Southbank campus of Baptist Health System was approved Thursday by the Downtown Development Review Board of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
It also is a sign that Downtown business is on the upswing.

The request was made because Baptist Health System is consolidating its corporate and administrative staff from the suburbs into 80,000 square feet of space in the Aetna Building.

Audrey Moran, vice president for Social Responsibility and Consumer Advocacy, said that with 8,200 employees, Baptist Health is Jacksonville’s largest private employer.

She said the relocation of corporate staff into the Aetna Building, which is at the Baptist Medical Center Downtown complex, means that more than half of the Baptist Health workforce is at the Southbank campus. That includes the medical staff at the Baptist Medical Center Downtown.

“Baptist Health is an advocate for Downtown development,” she said. “Baptist Health is bringing people Downtown.”

South Shore Group, which owns and manages the landmark structure at 841 Prudential Drive, requested a deviation to a permit for an increase in allowable high-rise building sign area and multiple building signs.

It was noted in the application that the building is at a pivotal location on the St. Johns River where the river makes an extreme turn southward.

South Shore requested two additional building identification signs, on the east and west faces of the building, which exceeded the allowable 400 square feet per sign.

Baptist Health is relocating business office operations to the Aetna Building as a major corporate tenant. Aetna occupies 178,000 square feet in the building.

Betsy Reichert, vice president of property management for South Shore Group, said Aetna’s lease agreement allows signage for another tenant leasing at least 50,000 square feet in the building.

The new signs are intended to differentiate the Baptist Health business operations in the Aetna building from the medical health care facilities on the adjacent properties.

The building opened in 1955 as the regional headquarters of Prudential Insurance Co. At 22 stories, or 309 feet, in height, it was at the time the tallest building in the Southeast.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2012-02-03

The announcement of 220 Riverside on the edge of downtown also came out in January.

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1665761388_hqJJPVZ-M.jpg

Located on one of the most beautiful streets along the St. Johns River in Northeast Florida, 220 Riverside will include a 280-unit upscale apartment community with structured parking and luxurious common areas. 220 Riverside sits on a two-acre site, approximately one mile southwest of Jacksonville’s Central Business District in the Brooklyn District of Downtown, adjacent to the eclectic 5 Points neighborhood in Riverside. Riverside and Riverside Avenue are populated with a mix of residential, corporate headquarters and neighborhood retail components. Including the nearby CBD, there are more than 50,000 employees within a 1.5 mile radius of the site, with over 6,400 employees within three blocks.

220 Riverside will directly front the new $7.5 million Unity Plaza park and amphitheater. The majority of the units will have river, park, or courtyard views. The development will also feature retail stores and restaurants on the first floor of the project front Unity Plaza and Riverside Avenue. Other posh amenities featured at 220 Riverside will include a fitness center, active club room, internet cafe, and a rooftop courtyard with a resort-style pool, outdoor kitchen and seating niches overlooking the St. Johns River.

Glad to see that downtown is back on the upswing..