Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => Downtown => Topic started by: thelakelander on January 03, 2020, 09:18:35 AM

Title: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: thelakelander on January 03, 2020, 09:18:35 AM
QuoteAsh Properties now owns a full block Downtown across from the BB&T Tower it bought in 2018.

On Dec. 20, Ash Properties, through The Exchange at Adams LLC, paid $900,000 for the Hogan Building at 170 N. Hogan St.

It bought the vacant, two-story, 18,405-square-foot building from Roefsco Hogan LLC, a Nevada company with a mailing address in Atlanta.

Full article: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/ash-properties-controls-a-city-block-after-buying-the-hogan-building
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: Charles Hunter on January 03, 2020, 10:32:40 AM
The former site of Rosenblum's flagship store.  Would love to see that ugly stucco removed.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: acme54321 on January 03, 2020, 02:34:51 PM
Quote from: Charles Hunter on January 03, 2020, 10:32:40 AM
The former site of Rosenblum's flagship store.  Would love to see that ugly stucco removed.

Yep.  that is one that might actually be salvageable too.  The depth of the windows makes it look like they just built out from the existing facade instead of half demoing it like some of the other facade disasters downtown.  If they could restore the facades on this and the building next door it would be amazing for that block.

I didn't realize how much parking garage was on that block either :o  I guess that goes to show the benefit of street level retail on garages.

Does Ash own the surface lots on the block with the BB&T tower too?
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: MusicMan on January 03, 2020, 05:32:26 PM
Does anyone know if the old Furchgott's building sold?  I was showing it a month ago when the owner said he had an offer (and hinted he was taking it).  They were asking $2.5 million as I recall. Please share if you know.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: Ken_FSU on January 07, 2020, 10:38:32 AM
Quote from: acme54321 on January 03, 2020, 02:34:51 PM
Quote from: Charles Hunter on January 03, 2020, 10:32:40 AM
The former site of Rosenblum's flagship store.  Would love to see that ugly stucco removed.

If they could restore the facades on this and the building next door it would be amazing for that block.

Or just tear it down  :P

Quote'All options' on the table for Hogan Building – including demolition

The two-story Hogan Building was constructed in 1921 and spans more than 18,000 square feet. "All options are there" for the building, Whitfield said. He estimated the company would have a clearer plan for the space in the next few months.

Whatever that plan becomes, the 99-year-old building may need to be demolished, Whitfield sad, though no plans have been finalized. Whether or not the building will be demolished depends on the type of use the company envisions for the space and the findings of a structural engineer.

Now that the company has multiple contiguous buildings, as well as a parking garage, Whitfield noted there is the potential for a more campus-like design strategy.

"Anytime you can make properties work together and be more synergistic, they all work better," said Whitfield.

Story: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2020/01/07/all-options-on-the-table-for-hogan-building.html?iana=hpmvp_jac_news_headline
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: thelakelander on January 07, 2020, 11:05:11 AM
QuoteWhatever that plan becomes, the 99-year-old building may need to be demolished, Whitfield sad, though no plans have been finalized. Whether or not the building will be demolished depends on the type of use the company envisions for the space and the findings of a structural engineer.

Now that the company has multiple contiguous buildings, as well as a parking garage, Whitfield noted there is the potential for a more campus-like design strategy.

LOL, if this statement doesn't describe Jax! It's a sad state of affairs when that's the early consideration without knowing anything about its structural status.

More campus-like design strategy? LOL, this is the heart of DT, not the Southside.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: avonjax on January 07, 2020, 11:21:22 AM
It's a really nice building underneath that awful stucco. I remember it well.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: avonjax on January 07, 2020, 11:23:30 AM
Quote from: MusicMan on January 03, 2020, 05:32:26 PM
Does anyone know if the old Furchgott's building sold?  I was showing it a month ago when the owner said he had an offer (and hinted he was taking it).  They were asking $2.5 million as I recall. Please share if you know.
I used to work for Furchgott's in the days when they had a basement and of course elevator operators. It was a great store. In it's day it was probably the nicest large store in Jacksonville. I have been hoping for something nice to happen for years.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: avonjax on January 07, 2020, 11:26:37 AM
Quote from: Charles Hunter on January 03, 2020, 10:32:40 AM
The former site of Rosenblum's flagship store.  Would love to see that ugly stucco removed.
In it's prime that was a terrific retail corner. Furchgott's, Rosenblum's, Levy-Wolf and Florsheim Shoes anchored each corner. I remember it well.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: vicupstate on January 07, 2020, 11:47:20 AM
The footprint of the Hogan building looks ideal for a pocket park. You can never have too many of those. 
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: Ken_FSU on January 07, 2020, 12:18:04 PM
^Don't be so cynical.

I can totally close my eyes and see an unpermitted asphalt parking lot as well.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: thelakelander on January 07, 2020, 12:40:13 PM
That's a decent sized building. You could probably squeeze 20 cars on a corner surface lot.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: vicupstate on January 07, 2020, 01:05:23 PM
Using it for parking would be competition for the adjacent garage.  Scabby foundation remnant would work though. 
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: MusicMan on January 07, 2020, 03:22:15 PM
"Whether or not the building will be demolished depends on the type of use the company envisions for the space and the findings of a structural engineer."

Agree, why would you buy it prior to having a structural engineer check it out.  WTF....
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: thelakelander on January 07, 2020, 03:29:34 PM
Quote from: vicupstate on January 07, 2020, 01:05:23 PM
Using it for parking would be competition for the adjacent garage.  Scabby foundation remnant would work though. 
The new owner owns the garage also. That garage is also pretty full. My company had spaces in there for a few years. If that building were demolished, it would likely be related to the old Exchange Bank Building next door that they also acquired. It does not have any dedicated parking.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: thelakelander on January 07, 2020, 03:31:40 PM
Quote from: MusicMan on January 07, 2020, 03:22:15 PM
"Whether or not the building will be demolished depends on the type of use the company envisions for the space and the findings of a structural engineer."

Agree, why would you buy it prior to having a structural engineer check it out.  WTF....
Because the plan is probably to tear it down. I seriously doubt it's in danger of falling in on itself. It was designed for another 8 stories or so to be added on top of it.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: CityLife on January 07, 2020, 04:00:40 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on January 07, 2020, 11:05:11 AM
QuoteWhatever that plan becomes, the 99-year-old building may need to be demolished, Whitfield sad, though no plans have been finalized. Whether or not the building will be demolished depends on the type of use the company envisions for the space and the findings of a structural engineer.

Now that the company has multiple contiguous buildings, as well as a parking garage, Whitfield noted there is the potential for a more campus-like design strategy.

LOL, if this statement doesn't describe Jax! It's a sad state of affairs when that's the early consideration without knowing anything about its structural status.

More campus-like design strategy? LOL, this is the heart of DT, not the Southside.
Urban development is not Ash Properties specialty. I wouldn't expect much from them.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: marcuscnelson on January 07, 2020, 06:24:01 PM
Quote from: CityLife on January 07, 2020, 04:00:40 PM
Urban development is not Ash Properties specialty. I wouldn't expect much from them.

If one thing is their specialty, especially as of late, it seems to be strip malls with just enough "modern" facsimiles plastered on top to look nice, and an Atlantic Storage facility stuck on the end.

I'd like to see them take a crash course in urban development before they do anything, but I don't know how hopeful I would be.
Title: Re: Ash Properties controls a city block after buying the Hogan Building
Post by: thelakelander on January 07, 2020, 08:24:42 PM
^We likely won't stick to them but we do have policies, design standards and systems in place that can control the design outcome, no matter how good or bad Ash Properties is when it comes to these things. Much of it boils down to political will power and backbone.