The Barnett and Laura Trio about to be sold

[vicupstate]

I was referring to the Church/Duval areas in the Cathedral district, not Bay St.


he high dollar lawyers will be very close but the less expensive ones typically allow more distance.  I can't see a move on their part for a couple of blocks. Bay St, sure, Church St, I doubt it.

[Mugatu]

Does anyone have the most update vacancy rate for office space downtown?  I'm going to guess its pretty high.  I've been led to believe that there's square miles of vacant space in the burbs and more on the way.  I just can't see how it would be economically viable to purchase and renovate these buildings for another 10 years or so.  As far as converting it into residential space, I don't think there's much demand for that either right now. 

[thelakelander]

It would be nice to properly seal them to prevent rapid deterioration from being left open to the elements.  This way, they'll still be standing when the market changes for the better.

[jeh1980]

Whoever has the old Barnett Bank property, remind them to restore that electronic clock! It'll be great for a New Years Eve bash.

[fsujax]

I would like to see Vestcor get the Barnett Bank building and convert it like they did 11E and the Carling. Does anyone know how those two properties have worked out for them? I wonder what the occupancy rate is?

[zoo]

I think those two properties have worked ok for them, but I believe they shut down all construction (and their const dept) when this whole real estate mess started. Guessing they are hoping to "turtle shell" it and survive until the market straightens out again.

[Joe]

Plus, Vestcor got HUGE subsidies to renovate 11E and the Carling. On the order of tens of millions of dollars.

I don't have a problem with that, as I think it was money well spent. However, I wouldn't expect Vestcor to continue their role without the same injection of cash. So at that point, there are plenty of companies who would rehab the Barnett Bank building if you threw $15 million at them. Which isn't going to happen anymore. Period. Not with budget shortfalls and talks of tax increases.

[mtraininjax]

I love the fact that 90% of the windows in the Barnett building are open for the birds and bees to inhabit. Just lovely.

[Dog Walker]

Except that this being Jacksonville it's going to be pigeons and dirt daubers.