Jessie Ball duPont Center (Haydon Burns) Renderings

[acme54321]

Exactly. You've already got existing restaurants, bars, and music venues in the area. Success there is potentially a lot more achievable than on an island.

I also wonder if the worthless 3 story parking garage that takes up the entire block between Main and Ocean could structurally support something above, or if it could be repurposed to have street front commercial/retail space.

Yeah that grage is a piece of junk, I think it's only 2 story too.  It looks like a prengineered steel throw together structure, I doubt it could support anything more than itself.  Biggest waste of space in the core.

[CityLife]

Yea as is I doubt it can handle anything on top of it, but I was wondering more about the ability to add the necessary structural support to the exterior. Tight space though, so it may be a longshot.

Ideally, the market will be strong enough some day that its worth more for new construction than as a parking deck.

[JaxArchitect]

They must have missed Jeff Speck's presentation last week....palm trees are not appropriate street trees.  My guess is that this is what's in the city streetscape standards for this street.

[JaxArchitect]

It'll be nice to see this building inhabited again.  Although I understand it (maximizing space efficiency), it's too bad what they're doing to the interior.  Those open 2-story spaces and southern balcony as they currently exist are much nicer than the typical office floors they'll be left with after the renovation and elimination of the monument stair.

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

I've got to admit, I'm underwelmed but remaining hopeful.

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

I walked around that building last Sunday morning, peering into what windows I could and imagining what the library was like in its mid-century heyday & what it will look like within two years.

[thelakelander]

I don't know how it was in its mid-century heyday but I remember what it was like in the final years before the new library opened. Cramped and dingy.

[IrvAdams]

I remember it from its mid-century heyday when I was a child. It was roomy, colorful, bright and open to the outside. I hope they preserve those elements. It's a very unusual piece of architecture, very 'Florida' in my opinion.

[ProjectMaximus]

I don't know how it was in its mid-century heyday but I remember what it was like in the final years before the new library opened. Cramped and dingy.

Yep. During the 90s I spent many a summer day in there working on my summer reading list.

[Mike D]

Generally, I'm not a big fan of '60s architecture, but I've always like the HB library.  I remember when it opened.  It was sleek and bright and felt important.  The colorful tiles on the outside really grabbed your attention.  It was a busy place as was all of downtown.  It's great to see it repurposed for the future.

[JackDiablo]

only one retail space, c'mon!

[thelakelander]

According to this article, the proposed retail space at Ocean and Adams will be the only in the building and leased to a coffee shop or restaurant.

Developer plans no profit from nonprofits

The renovation of the former Haydon Burns Public Library will make Downtown architectural development history when the building opens as the Jessie Ball duPont Center, a three-story office building with ground-floor retail space.

The project also will make history in that the organization behind the project, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, is approaching the $21 million project with the intent to make no profit, even after the 90,000-square-foot complex is fully leased.

"Our plan is to offer below-market rents," said Sherry Magill, president of the fund, which purchased the building in June for $2.2 million.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2014-01-06

[thelakelander]

Haydon Burns renovation to help spark Downtown revival

The second life of the Haydon Burns Library building in Downtown Jacksonville is about to begin.

When the building reopens in mid-2015, it will be known as the Jessie Ball DuPont Center, and serve as a focal point for Jacksonville's non-profit community. It is anticipated that 250 people will work there, and as many as 20 nonprofits will call it home.

The renovation of the former main library on Ocean Street will begin in a couple of weeks, and Thursday morning the principals gathered to celebrate the $21 million project.

full article:  http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/01/16/haydon-burns-renovation-to-help-spark.html

[thelakelander]

Two of their latest renderings:

[edjax]

Just saw article on JBJ that nearly six months out from completion they are almost completely leased for space. 11 Non Profits already signed letters of intent.  Will be good to see the additional foot traffic generated.