Abandoned Jacksonville: The Ambassador Hotel
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1567023434_2sVmtgT-M.jpg)
The Ambassador Hotel originally opened in 1924 as 310 West Church Street Apartments, the first upscale apartments in downtown Jacksonville. It was designed by Hentz, Reid and Adler, one of Atlanta's most prominent architectural firms. This $300,000, six-story brick and limestone Georgian Revival style building was built in an 'H' pattern that gives every room a large window view while still being able to house 50 apartments and about 110 residents.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-nov-abandoned-jacksonville-the-ambassador-hotel
I've thought this would be a great investment and renovation for offices. Seems like it could be comparable to the Blackstone Building. Law offices/clerical/Riley Reporting right there in the middle of the Federal and county courthouse.
Is that even possible or does it have to be strictly housing?
...sad
man what a space, we shall see what happens here.
From looking at the pictures, it seems like it $8 million might be a low estimate to fix that place up.
Perhaps there will be a shred of hope when the Courthouse finally opens.
I wish I were a billionaire! I would single handly invest it all in our Downtown. One can dream!
The photo of the stairwell looks straight out of one of those ghost hunter shows... a little haunted maybe? LOL
^^Yeah did anyone else cacth that image in the stairwell photot?? That looks creep. That was not a reflection.
^Double Exposure: Making creepy buildings even creepier since 1839!
I was going to post about this "entity" on the stair case.. Perhaps a ghost from PS#4 that got bored there ,and decided to fly across town to the Ambassador.
The building is creepy alright.. but on the outside it is attractive and certainly has possibility. Wonder if it will ever happen ?
Great article !!
The Ambassador definitely is in good structural shape, even if the inside looks like trash.
It looks pretty straight. There was another thread about this building, where some poster insisted the building either could not or would not ever be saved. I would like to know, if there is legitimate reason , why.
This building looks no different than any other vacated neglected building... EXCEPT that it does not seem to be covered in Graffiti ...I guess the owner or someone does a little better job of securing it?
Quote from: comncense on November 09, 2011, 08:40:46 AM
...sad
I was thinking the same thing. I hate to be Debbie Downer, but I'll be VERY surprised if there's any hope left concerning the Ambassador's future.
It's a gorgeous building, I'm sure it will be saved. I believe the parking lot adjacent to it is owned by ESC as well which would make the whole project easier. I believe the asking on it right now is $4 million.
Quote from: Tacachale on November 09, 2011, 10:57:16 AM
^Double Exposure: Making creepy buildings even creepier since 1839!
thats not a double exposure on the stairs. i took that shot as my friend was walking up the stairs during a long exposure.
nice work ennis!
Modify message
Quote from: nomeus on November 09, 2011, 02:32:10 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on November 09, 2011, 10:57:16 AM
^Double Exposure: Making creepy buildings even creepier since 1839!
thats not a double exposure on the stairs. i took that shot as my friend was walking up the stairs during a long exposure.
nice work ennis!
Modify message
I stand corrected.
Accept no substitutes for your spooky photography needs, long exposure has the history you can trust!
It needs to be apartments, not offices. there are plenty of places already fitted to serve as offices. We need people living Downtown and it would be easier because the framework is already there as apartments.
It's proximity to the new Courthouse could make it an attractive office location long before it will support lofts/apartments.
Quote from: urbaknight on November 10, 2011, 02:22:26 PM
It needs to be apartments, not offices. there are plenty of places already fitted to serve as offices. We need people living Downtown and it would be easier because the framework is already there as apartments.
I would completely agree with this post. We have tons of vacant office space.. Apartments / Condos / Lofts are a fit for that. If downtown was in better economic condition and had more to attract major numbers, I would even go as far as to say it could / should be a Hotel again.
I will just be happy if it is spared and a purpose identified.
Quote from: urbaknight on November 10, 2011, 02:22:26 PM
It needs to be apartments, not offices. there are plenty of places already fitted to serve as offices. We need people living Downtown and it would be easier because the framework is already there as apartments.
+1
Did the Ambassador receive $1 or $2,000,000 in Historic Preservation Trust Fund money?
No. It has not received a dime from the trust fund.
Then it went to the Kuhn properties? Just recall a period of time when the Old Fuller Warren Bidge was an issue and then councilwoman Glorious Johnson mentioning that money was in the fund and that it could have been another potential funding source in addition to others funds. FIND another source.
Thanks for the clarification. Thought the windows were paid from that fund.
^I think you're talking about the Barnett Bank Building at Laura and Adams.
Yes.. Kuhn was developing the Laura Trio, right Lake? Was there ANY renovation done there? if there was I do not see it.
definitely nothing on the Ambassador looks updated.
They did gut the buildings into shells in preparation for redevelopment. A new roof was also put on the Marble Bank.
Timkin,I am that poster you were refering to.And how do I know it is cost prohibitive to save? I was the manager there for several years,and know every inch of that building. You can see from the picture of the basement,the water level on that tank,well,that water was that high for YEARS.Theres not one peice of machinery that is functional,not even the freight or passenger elevator.When the passenger elevator started acting up,we had a company come look at it,just to fix it was half a million,and that wouldnt even gaurantee the city would pass it.The windows were put in in 90 I think,and that was done by the former owners when they sold it.There are structural issues,foundation issues, infrastructure issues,sewage issues,the list is endless.Id love to see it as it was,but I know it would take millions upon millions of dollars,and Jax will never ever be that forward thinking.
Quote from: stephendare on November 09, 2011, 10:28:47 AM
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1567023951_2njVrGD-L.jpg)
If you look closely, and long enough, you'll see the virgin Mary ;D
Quote from: johncb on September 16, 2012, 05:32:55 PM
Timkin,I am that poster you were refering to.And how do I know it is cost prohibitive to save? I was the manager there for several years,and know every inch of that building. You can see from the picture of the basement,the water level on that tank,well,that water was that high for YEARS.Theres not one peice of machinery that is functional,not even the freight or passenger elevator.When the passenger elevator started acting up,we had a company come look at it,just to fix it was half a million,and that wouldnt even gaurantee the city would pass it.The windows were put in in 90 I think,and that was done by the former owners when they sold it.There are structural issues,foundation issues, infrastructure issues,sewage issues,the list is endless.Id love to see it as it was,but I know it would take millions upon millions of dollars,and Jax will never ever be that forward thinking.
I appreciate you posting a reply on the building's situation. Your very last sentence is profound, and unfortunately , the truth.
Jacksonville will never be that forward thinking. Certainly not with the government currently in place, nor economics being what they are.
As to the Structural soundness of the building, That would have to be proven to me.
In any event, I think the building will be demolished. No money or prospects to save it. Heck if we can't save a tiny little bank building , the Ambassador doesn't have a chance.