Jacksonville Architecture BOTTOM 10

[stjr]

I saw that there was a MJ "Jacksonville Architecture Top 10" (see http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,2105.0.html ).

Well, I couldn't resist thinking that we, unfortunately, may have many more candidates surviving today for a "Bottom 10" than a "Top 10".  So, to get things started, I offer the following suggestions, likely to offend almost everyone  .  Feel free to add comments or your nominees.

Hyatt/Adams Mark Hotel (the wall by the river?)
$ky-high-way Tracks and Supports
JSO HQ's (or is that a fort?)
Bennett Federal Office Building (another fort, just taller?)
Wachovia Northbank Bldg. (the flat mirror with a bump on its head next to the Omni)
The Fuller Warren (I-95) Bridge (or, is that an oversized overpass?)
All parking garages
All the "new" office buildings in La Villa
All the strip malls, shopping centers, and malls in Jax
All the fake stucco box tract homes

*Awaiting completion to qualify: New Duval County Courthouse, master street killer.

[mtraininjax]

What, the old library, at 122 Ocean gets a free pass? The Carnegie building, the original library is way cool! I would add many of the libraries are nothing more than glorified Circuit City boxes. The downtown and the Willow Branch are notable exceptions.

[Lunican]

This is my choice for Jacksonville's worst architecture.

[stjr]

That reminds me, the original lower phase (the taller tower next to it was built years later as an addition) of the Blue Cross complex in Riverside could give it a run for the money.  Now that I think of it, the adjacent tower addition isn't so hot either.

I love its "Architectural Style" described as "Brutalism" at this web site: http://www.emporis.com/application/?nav=building&id=bluecrossblueshieldbuilding-jacksonville-fl-usa&lng=3

[stjr]

Scanning the Jax skyline graphic at this web site, http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=135 , offers some other strong contenders:

The current Sun Trust Building (originally Atlantic Bank Bldg.) dressed in black
The elderly high rises around town in "bare pre-stressed concrete"
Tower Place Apartments downtown
Regency Tower

[mtraininjax]

That reminds me, the original lower phase (the taller tower next to it was built years later as an addition) of the Blue Cross complex in Riverside could give it a run for the money.  Now that I think of it, the adjacent tower addition isn't so hot either.

A little history about the building you have identified. The shorter building, the Center building, was the original building for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. As BCBSF grew, it needed more space and added the taller building that has 20 stories. The reason one side of the building is missing windows is because it has elevators on that side AND there was a plan to add an identical building to the other side, where the elevators would be in the middle. Over the past few years, when BCBSF was HQd downtown, the top floor, 20th, was home to a radio station. Since then, the building is the First Coast Service Options division of BCBSF, primarily dealing with governmental contracts. The building has history and probably will never be torn down, especially since BCBSF is a major city employer.

[thelakelander]

The original City Hall Annex is pretty painful sight.  One of the best things about the Hyatt is it blocks this creature from the riverfront.

[stjr]

The reason one side of the building is missing windows is because it has elevators on that side AND there was a plan to add an identical building to the other side, where the elevators would be in the middle.

Lake, thanks for the insight.  The planned addition you describe would have only made it "twice" as ugly 

[Ocklawaha]

The JTA facility on Myrtle is just a modern shoebox with plants around it. Funny thing is, both of the administration buildings, and the garages, (a matched set mind you!) replaced an even more dismal looking Railroad Station. In fact the site and the former building and the 32 stub (back in) track platform area, made up the NATIONS LARGEST RAILWAY EXPRESS FACILITY, but God knows, it was DOG UGLY! BTW, lovers of all things Jacksonville? Where the hell is the historical marker for the Nations Largest REA facility? JHS? Anyone home? Hello?

The new Courthouse should have a title, until something better comes along, I officially declare in the kingdom of OCK, it shall forever be known as "An Explosion In A Pillar Factory."

The Hyatt? I don't know? Most hotels are sort of hum ho in the daylight, it's in the evenings that the lighting takes effect and turns them into magical inviting places. How many times I've popped into a hotel in BFE New Mexico, and woke up in the morning, walked outside and said WTF?

Fuller Warren, AGREE, gosh darn Johnny, couldn't we use just a couple Million of the new flex park bucks and install some killer neon or color to that glorified wart.

Everything at Jacksonville Beach that is under 35 feet high! BOW WOW! HOWL!

The Skyway Maintenance Facility, at least it could have been brick, to match the planned station, maybe arched doorways, a little flash back to the grand old streetcar barn that "Had to be bulldozed" because "it got in the way of the New Acosta Bridge Ramps..." What a queer thing to say, how did the streetcar barn "get in the way," but the Skyway barn doesn't?? Go figure, that was Jakes math!

OCKLAWAHA

[mtraininjax]

The planned addition you describe would have only made it "twice" as ugly 

Twice the number of jobs, twice the number of taxes collected....with everything perceived to be ugly, you need to look at the beauty. Look at the old Barnett Building, you may like it, but its empty, no jobs, and generating little to no taxes.

Most of the great architectural buildings in Jax have been torn down, the old Bell South building was torn down for the courthouse, was it particullarly beautiful, no, but it did have workers generating revenue in it. I think the Bank of America building is boring with few, if any noticible features that make it stand out to me. The Havertys building is boring to me, but at least the City is making the best use of it with people inside it.

Regarding the Fuller Warren, what we have no is 1 million times better than what was there before and 10 million times better than when we had tolls on it.

[stjr]

Mtrain, good architecture isn't at the expense of jobs.  In fact, if it's good enough, it creates jobs because the environment it creates attracts people - whether tourists, residents, employers looking to make a statement, or all of the above!

The same for historic preservation.  Savannah and Charleston live off of great and/or historic architecture.

I would suggest much of Manhattan thrives upon its architectural environment as does Washington, D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco.

Architecture and history "speak" for our community and its values and vision.  We need to set the bar higher - not look for the lowest common denominator.  Especially, if you want those higher paying jobs that flock to communities with something "to say".

[Lunican]

This parking garage at Forsyth and Main is particularly ugly. Even more so when you consider what it replaced.

[reednavy]

The original City Hall Annex is pretty painful sight.  One of the best things about the Hyatt is it blocks this creature from the riverfront.

Hopefully they implode that thing when the courthouse move is completed and make room for a new convention center.

[reednavy]

This parking garage at Forsyth and Main is particularly ugly. Even more so when you consider what it replaced.

That parking garage is probably the worst I have seen, anywhere.

[Wacca Pilatka]

There used to be an Architecture of Downtown Jacksonville webpage early this decade--the creator of it contributed most of the Emporis Jacksonville images--that argued for Hogans Creek Towers as the worst architecture in the city.