Downtown Landmarks: The Universal Marion Building
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-7371-p1160431.JPG)
Originally an office building and Ivey's Department Store, Downtown's JEA office tower was also once topped by a revolving restaurant.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-aug-downtown-landmarks-the-universal-marion-building
QuoteThe money set aside for phase 2 was then diverted to fund a railroad overpass on University Blvd near Phillips Hwy. In 1981, new funds were diverted to fund the widening of 103rd Street.
While this might have been a blessing, it shows that diverting money pegged for DT to other uses is not a new thing.
I always knew it as the "Ivey" Building. Remember when the Department Store was on the ground floor. In the 70's, during the disco era, there was a Night Club/Disco at the very top in the revolving restaurant, and I don't remember it revolving back then. It was very nice but the disco didn't last very long. Still a nice looking building on the outside and hope that it isn't demolished once sold and JEA possibly moves out.
This article was originally published eight years ago and recently bumped up. Here are links to a few more recent articles related to this building, its history and its potential future. You'll also find some great discussions in their comment sections. Enjoy:
November 7, 2008 - The Universal Marion Building
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-nov-the-universal-marion-building
September 9, 2011 - On Top of the JEA Building
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-sep-on-top-of-the-universal-marion-building
June 1, 2015 - The Rise & Fall of a Jax F500 Company: Charter Company
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-jun-the-rise-fall-of-a-jax-f500-company-charter-company-/page/
August 19, 2015 - A new office tower for JEA coming soon?
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-aug-a-new-office-tower-for-jea-coming-soon/page/2
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Btw, I was recently in Fort Lauderdale at a wedding reception that was held in a rooftop rotating space identical to the Ember's. It took about 1.5 hours to fully rotate. Here's a few pictures from that event and my article on the recent densification of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
4 Little Known Facts About Fort Lauderdale We Should Know
http://www.moderncities.com/article/2016-aug-4-little-known-facts-about-ft-lauderdale-we-should-know
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