Historic Lerner's Shop at a Cross Roads

[Metro Jacksonville]

Historic Lerner's Shop at a Cross Roads



Metrojacksonville.com has learned of interesting developments in the Urban Core surrounding the small historic Lerner's storefront on Main Street.  Apparently triggered by the opening of the Starbucks Coffee on the ground floor of 11 East, interest has suddenly been piqued in the area. This must come as a great validation to Elaine Brown, the intrepid former Councilwoman who connected the two partners of this deal hoping for this very outcome.  When we originally documented this plan, it was thought at the time that a few corporate anchors in the downtown would spur growth of the mom and pops and cause local investors to reconsider downtown, and that is exactly what is happening.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/489

[thelakelander]

Imo, the Art Deco facade would look pretty impressive preserved and incorporated into a larger contemporary styled, glass structure fronting Main Street.  That would be something you definately don't see around much in Jacksonville.

[JUSTDAVE]

It was smart to give Eddie an opportunity to do something cool downtown, if it can give him some favorable publicity all the better. I think any version of a good plan is commendable. Under no circumstances should anyone look at this and say if Eddie doesn't do exactly what most people are recommending then his priorities are in the wrong place. I'm sure he will do whatever suits downtown without disregarding what suits him.

If we were talking about anyone else no one would demand exactly what they thought was best and then be disappointed if was good but not best. 

[thelakelander]

I think the desire of Eddie Farah to do something positive with that property is a great thing and should serve as a good example for a core used to seeing it's building stock replaced with parking lots.  However, getting some public feedback on a conceptual building plan shouldn't be viewed as a negative thing.  There could be something mentioned in the ongoing discussion that improves Eddie's plans and his profit margin.

[downtownparks]

Dave, these guys treat every downtown development the same. Nobody is singling out Farah.

[Matt]

Either way, im happy. The space is getting used. I don't really mind the proposed plan that much.It kinda reminds me of some of the communist architecture in moscow(which is bad), but its different. I like seeing a lot of different styles. not to mention the fact that the original building is somewhat falling apart. my point is, the investment is going into downtown and thats one less empty parcel.

[thelakelander]

I can understand Matt's point of view.  After all, Farah could pull a KBJ Architects and just explode the structure for the hell of it, without plans to replace it with anything.

[urbanlibertarian]

Why don't we hold a seance and ask Klutho what he might do with it?

[thelakelander]

I might be wrong but I don't think it's a Klutho building.

[urbanlibertarian]

I was referring to this quote from the article:

"At one time such intricate details were common around the central district---especially on the older buildings influenced by the geometric and natural-form decorations favored by Henry John Klutho, but as the local redevelopment agency and the various landowners allowed downtown to be demolished, they have become a rarity."

I would like to see some of the new structures downtown at least pay homage to the Prairie style which is so historically important here.

[thelakelander]

That would be nice.  Btw, Cesery's planned 3rd & Main project, in Springfield, is a prairie school throwback.

[urbanlibertarian]

Excellent.

[JUSTDAVE]

Dave, these guys treat every downtown development the same. Nobody is singling out Farah.

Exactly, you know that, and I was pretty sure of that, but not everyone who  reads this knows that.

Wouldn't want to leave anyone with the wrong impression.

[Bruin Brain]

While I'm not opposed to facades of older buildings being incorporated into new designs, this is a horrible example to have used. The windows, the ground floors, the cornices are completely inappropriate from a preservation standpoint, leaving little more than just brick outlines, small excerpts of what these buildings once were. I'm not arguing that it isn't better than complete demolition; it absolutely is. Even if it is just barely a step above the architectural details from the demolished buildings on Monroe St being plastered onto the north facade of the new library. There MUST be a better example somewhere!

[thelakelander]

There's tons of examples.  Here's another.



Btw, its great to see you checking in to the site, even though you're no longer in Jax.