Is it time to reassess the Berkman Plaza II

[Mathew1056]

Looking out at the downtown skyline it is easy to be reminded of the economic pain felt by the 2008 Financial Crisis. The Berkman Plaza II stands as a monument to the housing bubble that ruined families and destroyed companies. My knowledge of the property is that the owners will not build out because they are not likely to make any return in investment. After being stuck in litigation for years, the property is possibly being foreclosed on. Regardless of the reasons why the building has sat static since 2007, economic prosperity is on the horizon and generation X and Y want to live in an urban setting. There will be a time in the near future when investing in the Berkman property will make economic sense.

In order to get the most out of the property we must ask ourselves what we want out of the structure. I'd argue that finishing the Berkamn to match the original is a bad idea. Just as the Berkman II is a reminder of prosperity lost, I feel that the architecture, if you can call it that, of the Berkman I also references a different time. I guess you can call it Mediterranean-Americana. You see this style throughout Jacksonville, at the beaches, at the town center, and in any neighborhood located off the asteroid belt that is i295. New plans should be drawn up, taking into account its location on a historic ship yard. The bones are there and Jacksonville could use a unique structure greeting travelers downtown. This ugly reminder could be turned into the spark that starts the downtown fire. Alvin Brown should be leading charges like this. Hopefully, he has address the issue in some capacity. Given his record on downtown issues so far, I doubt it.

[thelakelander]

Unfortunately, Berkman II has been exposed to the elements so long that it's probably structurally deficient.  If so, it needs to come down at some point.

[Mathew1056]

If that is the case it is truely unfortunate. Given its past structural deficiencies, I'd say that is a major concern. Even if the structure has to come down the property is still of value and should be included in any visioning process the city conducts. The property lies at the edge of established infill development, and its on the river at that. I would just like to see the gear turning. I'm sick of downtown feeling like Chernobyl. Using innovative building processes, like the cargo container condos I posted above, would bring renewed interest in the riverfront and be a healthy reminded that Jacksonville is a thriving port. It's a subtle message, but it could have a big impact. I think more than anything I'm sick of seeing stucco everywhere.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I think more than anything I'm sick of seeing stucco everywhere.

But it's the poly-elastomeric coating that binds us together....

[Lunican]

I stand by my prediction:

I think it's going to sit in its current state for at least 10 years.

[KenFSU]

I stand by my prediction:

I think it's going to sit in its current state for at least 10 years.

Completely agree.

The infamous "eyesore on I-4" has been incomplete for over a decade now, and it doesn't appear there is any end in sight. I can't see Berkman II being much different.

Question for someone more knowledgeable than I on Florida building codes:

Isn't the owner required to show construction progress every six months and pass an inspection, or else risk heavy fines and/or losing the property?

[I-10east]

I think more than anything I'm sick of seeing stucco everywhere.

But it's the poly-elastomeric coating that binds us together....

LMAO!

[Mathew1056]

Unlike the 'eyesore on I-4' the Berkman is a residential structure with multiple location advantages over the Orlando property. We are talking about two totally different types of development. One is located off a freeway in a suburban business park, the other is a piece of property located on a navigable waterway in the middle of an established dense walkable district. The next wave of development will be urban oriented, Jacksonville needs to be prepared.

[I-10east]

This 31 story high rise in South Padre Island, TX is probably the biggest colossal failure of an edifice that was under construction. It was torn down due to an uneven foundation.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=20FKED_COhw   

[Mathew1056]

Tearing it down was at least progress.

[kreger]

Looking out at the downtown skyline it is easy to be reminded of the economic pain felt by the 2008 Financial Crisis. The Berkman Plaza II stands as a monument to the housing bubble that ruined families and destroyed companies. My knowledge of the property is that the owners will not build out because they are not likely to make any return in investment. After being stuck in litigation for years, the property is possibly being foreclosed on. Regardless of the reasons why the building has sat static since 2007, economic prosperity is on the horizon and generation X and Y want to live in an urban setting. There will be a time in the near future when investing in the Berkman property will make economic sense.

In order to get the most out of the property we must ask ourselves what we want out of the structure. I'd argue that finishing the Berkamn to match the original is a bad idea. Just as the Berkman II is a reminder of prosperity lost, I feel that the architecture, if you can call it that, of the Berkman I also references a different time. I guess you can call it Mediterranean-Americana. You see this style throughout Jacksonville, at the beaches, at the town center, and in any neighborhood located off the asteroid belt that is i295. New plans should be drawn up, taking into account its location on a historic ship yard. The bones are there and Jacksonville could use a unique structure greeting travelers downtown. This ugly reminder could be turned into the spark that starts the downtown fire. Alvin Brown should be leading charges like this. Hopefully, he has address the issue in some capacity. Given his record on downtown issues so far, I doubt it.

This is something CSX, Crowley, and Haskell should consider working together on.

[GoldenEst82]

I have a friend that lives in the Berkman I, and while visiting recently, I pondered this subject.
I have experience in construction and with various construction companies.

The lack of quality in construction practices and materials during the boom leads me to believe that the cities interests would be best served by demolition.

But, if rehab is the only option- they should do something like have a re- design competition, so we can have a riverfront that looks like a "up and coming city"...
IDK who thought a giant pair of elongated DR Horton houses would look "chic" on the riverfront....


Were the Berkman(s) part of the "shipyard" parcel? Or was that a separate fleecing incident?

[Noone]

Were the Berkman(s) part of the "shipyard" parcel? Or was that a separate fleecing incident?

It was a separate fleecing incident. We have so many to choose from

[I-10east]

Does anyone have a pic of the infamous "Eyesore on 1-4"?

[thelakelander]

Its incomplete but I never considered it an eyesore.  It would have been great if Berkmann 2 was that far along before it went belly up.