Urban Infill: 1463 San Marco

[Jason]

I didint' say all of San Marco was filled with bunkers, just that intersection.

Also, that section of roadway is on the outskirts of a mid to highrise medical district that is destined to eventually be gobbled by taller buildings.  I agree that it will dwarf its surroundings in the short term, but it will eventually fit right in with future midrise development.

[jason_contentdg]

Well, say what you want but you have to love the optimism in this:

Also, that section of roadway is on the outskirts of a mid to highrise medical district that is destined to eventually be gobbled by taller buildings.  I agree that it will dwarf its surroundings in the short term, but it will eventually fit right in with future midrise development.

[Ugh...]

Jason, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to kindly disagree with you again. This building is not on the outskirts of a mid-to high rise medical district, there is one mid-rise medical building on that side of the I-95 overpass on that street. Architecturally speaking, the overpass acts as a barrier and those two sides shall never again be linked...not without serious urban planning, which is most likely not going to happen. Let's be realistic, this building will not provide any kind of link to the downtown San Marco Area. And it's very sad if they are planning to raze that whole area of one story buildings to put in multi-stories. A two-lane street that can barely handle the traffic it currently has, will not be sufficient enough to handle all the employees that will occupy multiple multi-story buildings on that street. Therefore, the street will need to be widen, and before you know it poof, any chance at improving that area and/or making it pedestrian friendly will be gone! I would much rather see an improvement of the fabric that is already there. It could actually be a very nice and walkable street. As Hank said "Perhaps this scale of monster was not intended for this area". It would be better off in the downtown San Marco or Brooklyn.

[reednavy]

Wait, there's a downtown San Marco?!

Scrap these plans and throw up Modis #2 at this location.

[Ugh...]

Sorry, the Southbank! The Skyway stop says San Marco

[thelakelander]

And it's very sad if they are planning to raze that whole area of one story buildings to put in multi-stories.

There are no buildings on the site.  The little building with no windows, that was on the corner, has already been demolished.

[Ugh...]

I agree that it will dwarf its surroundings in the short term, but it will eventually fit right in with future midrise development.

I was referencing the above.

[reednavy]

He never said they would. They're plenty of surface lots that can be built over. However, soem of those occupants in those low buildings probably want to raise them up a little bit for flooding puposes.

In Jason's defense: I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

[Jason]

Stand in that intersection (or use Google Earth) and look north and tell me what you see two blocks away.  You'll notice Baptist Eye Institute, Regional Cancer Center, Nemours, and other medical offices.

Density and highrises have gobbled up every bit of historic Jax since the inception of Cowford and the eventual birth of the highrise building.  I'm sure the farmers that once inhabited the northbank would be turning in their graves after seeing what replaced their once sleepy little cattle crossing.  Just as those that inhabit the neighborhood in subject would gasp at a towering 100' monster shadowing their store or home.  Sure, you could argue that this building could easily squat on one of many vacant lots further north, however, it would hard to argue that this area will forever remain a single story casual shopping district sitting between two burgeoning districts (San Marco Square and the Southbank Medical and office district).

Wouldn't you say that the Modis building looked out of place in the midst of the downtown core when it was built?  Now look at it.  It blends in nicely with all of the other towers surrounding it.  Call me optimistic, but I still believe that this area will eventually grow taller as the core fills up and spreads outwards.

And with regards to the architecture, or lack thereof, it is all in the eye of the beholder and our opinions are our own. 

[reednavy]

Screw the stucco, just put bubblewrap over it and paint it brown.

[Captain Zissou]

I may be a bit of an idealist, but I agree that the area between San Marco Square and I-95 will eventually be full of buildings of this size or larger.  It will be interesting to see what effect that has on the residential neighborhoods between San Marco Blvd and Hendricks Ave.

[Ugh...]

Jason, good architecture is not subjective it is learned! And yes, there are good architects and there are bad architects just like there are good and bad accountants, good and bad doctors, etc. You know I like a lot of wines but I certainly would never claim to be a wine connoisseur. But you are right my opinions are my own, although I feel pretty confident saying that any quality architect would agree with me.
The fact is this building simply does not fit into it's context and this issue was never seemingly addressed. I'm not sure why you feel so strongly about defending a poorly designed building, maybe you're the designer? not sure. But regardless, I am not saying to not to build up this area, I'm promoting thoughtfulness of design and context which is afterall what good architecture is all about. If I was looking at thoughtful proposal of a mid-rise building with thoughtful renderings I would most likely be on your side because good progress and good development are good! I cannot however sit here and say that it's OK to propose mediocrity for the sake of progress.
As Captain Zissou said "It looks very similar to the East San Marco sales center on Atlantic, which in turn looks like the East San Marco renderings, which look like San Marco Place.  Jacksonville.....The Istanbul of the West....?" How can that be good?

[Ugh...]

Oh and the Modis building is an architectural jem!

[Jason]

I have no ties to the design whatsoever, nor am I an architect, but am in the engineering field.  I've seen hundreds of proposals both local and abroad, great and horrible, and honestly see this proposal as an attractive and effecient use of a small peice of property that will fill a need that adheres to an obviously outdated and ineffective development overlay all while containing the parking within the building allowing for zero lot line dense infill to surround it further ehnancing the walkability of the district.

Whew!  That is one helluva run on sentence! 

For the record Ugh... I'm enjoying this debate and appreciate your input.  New blood is welcomed here at MetroJax and it seems you have a good head on your shoulders, despite your love for the "cube farm" in Ponte Vedra... 

I agree that the Modis is an architectural gem. 

[Jason]

For everyone else, here are a couple Goggle Earth snapshots of the site and its surroundings.  You should be able to picture the proposed building.  It should be a little bit shorter than the Eye Institure building a couple blocks away.

The site in question is the northeast corner across from Peterbrooke (see center of photo 1)