255 N. Laura to become lofts

[thelakelander]

The building next to Chamblins has just been to New Yorkers.

The building at 255 N. Laura St. has been sold. The new owners are in New York and plan to convert the top floors into lofts and maintain retail space on the ground floor. No word yet on whether shoe repair shop, shine stand and Downtown landmark Gus and Company will remain in the space but owner Greg Vaccaro isn’t concerned. “We’ve been here 104 years, so if we had to move I think our customers would follow us,” he said.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=50172

[TREE4309]

I've always liked that building and if I had the resources, would have loved to do my own loft buildout there.  The location is great!  Any idea who the buyer/developer is?

[copperfiend]

If only more structures like this were still around.

[Jerry Moran]

Expect severe structural and code problems with this one. The total cost of renovation will put the rent into the stratosphere. No parking either. Greg Vaccaro is a smart guy.  He wouldn't have let the building go if it were worth the asking price.  Like the Old Library, don't hold your breath on this one. 

[thelakelander]

Is it possible for them to rent a couple of spaces in the Carling garage, right behind the building to take care of the parking issue?  I don't know their schedule or the feasibility of renovating that space, but like the Old Library, I wish them the best.

[TREE4309]

Expect severe structural and code problems with this one. The total cost of renovation will put the rent into the stratosphere. No parking either. Greg Vaccaro is a smart guy.  He wouldn't have let the building go if it were worth the asking price.  Like the Old Library, don't hold your breath on this one. 

Very interesting...any idea what the price was?

[obie1]

The new owners probably won't be making luxury condos out of it but who knows? if it will be art space which is likely since they are behind the urbismus graffiti then it won't cost too much to rehab. It will be minimal.
There was an article about one of the new owners in the TU a while ago here is the link-
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/082207/lif_193304546.shtml
I think she was mentioned here too she does those newspaper illustrations for the wall street journal-
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/082207/lif_193306667.shtml
Do not think they are hurting for money from the sounds of the articles so I do not think their project will tank. A shared art space for artists would be great for Laura street if that is what they really plan on doing with it.

[thelakelander]

I don't think its them.  The asking price was out of their price range, so they are pursuing other locations.

[obie1]

So my fantasy of an art factory a la warhol on Laura dies?
That is too bad.