The Underappreciated Side of Riverside
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/744875752_nTLSd-M.jpg)
The Riverside/Avondale Historic District is well known for its diverse mix of architecture and urban parks. However, it can be argued that the dense integration of non single family building fabric is what gives the district its true unique charm and vibrancy.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-dec-the-underappreciated-side-of-riverside
I like the stories done on MJ about the neighborhoods, but I believe that Riverside is bigger than the geographic lines you identify. Some people view the divider to be Cherry Street or others McDuff, still others believe that Seminole is the divider. One thing for sure is that European Street on Park is not considered to be in Avondale, and for pete's sake, West Riverside's elementary school is not in Avondale.
I think the western boundary is out further west than King Street. Kickbacks is not Avondale, this I am sure of.
You are correct. A decision was made to break it down to a couple of articles:
From the articleQuote* Due to the geographic size of the Riverside/Avondale Historic District, this article only focuses on the area north of King Street. The rest of the historic district will be featured in future "Underappreciated" series articles in 2010.
Really stunning the sheer volume of interesting buildings....
There is a LOT of character in that area. Good stuff.
QuoteThe building once featured a rooftop smokestack for the building's boiler, shaped in the form of a rocket.
Anyone have a picture of this? It probably looked cool or ridiculous, I can't imagine it being anything in between.
If the thousands (millions?) of people that travel through Jax on the way to Orlando, South Florida, etc., knew that Jax had neighborhoods like this, many more of them would consider Jax as a place to live, and would have a much more positive opinion of it.
South Florida has the most monotonous, boring housing stock, such that Jax blows it away on that score. If only the city's tremendous POTENTIAL would start being realized, Jax would take it's rightful place as Florida's best city to live in.
(http://www.agilitynut.com/08/2/whitebldg.jpg)
http://www.agilitynut.com/08/2/whitebldg.jpg
Thanks. It doesn't look that much like a rocket to me, but it does add something I think.
Dang, man, you couldn't get my house into the spread? You were right there! Ugh...oh well. :-P
Nice to see my old apartment building (corner of Forbes and Goodwin) made the cut. I miss it now that I'm out in the 'burbs.
Same here, only mine was the Park Manor Apartments.
It goes without saying that the photography in this post is brilliant, because it always is, but this photo essay is particularly great even by Ennis' very high standards. Makes me feel like I'm in my favorite Jacksonville neighborhood as I miss the city from 600 miles away for the next several months. I'm very impressed with the particular Prairie school buildings that were chosen for this essay--they're not necessarily the ones one sees most frequently in a Jax Prairie compilation, but add so much to the fabric of the neighborhood. I especially like the 2036 building toward the end (I think that's on Forbes?).
Bonus in the above shot of the Hardwick building: the yellow and black US 17 shield. I miss the color-coded Florida U.S. highway shields.
Where is this building located? I've never seen it before. Thanks in advance.
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/10697079_f3Bcf#744877316_SMARD-A-LB
I think it's in the Jax architectural history book....
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on December 22, 2009, 01:05:51 PM
Where is this building located? I've never seen it before. Thanks in advance.
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/10697079_f3Bcf#744877316_SMARD-A-LB
2320 College Street (the block between Stockton and Osceola Streets).
You found us! We think we are a great example of adaptive reuse: neighborhood grocery and apartment; neighborhood tavern; biker bar; stripper biker bar; office and residence.
Next door our other unique reuse: ice cream manufacturer and furniture refinisher; storage space and very famous punk rock venue; artist studio/gallery and garage.
Quote from: thelakelander on December 22, 2009, 03:25:20 PM
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on December 22, 2009, 01:05:51 PM
Where is this building located? I've never seen it before. Thanks in advance.
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/10697079_f3Bcf#744877316_SMARD-A-LB
2320 College Street (the block between Stockton and Osceola Streets).
Thanks Lake. I will be sure to search it out next time I am in town, in my ongoing quest called "Taking Second-Rate Versions of Lakelander's Best Photos."
Quote from: lindab on December 22, 2009, 04:08:26 PM
You found us! We think we are a great example of adaptive reuse: neighborhood grocery and apartment; neighborhood tavern; biker bar; stripper biker bar; office and residence.
Next door our other unique reuse: ice cream manufacturer and furniture refinisher; storage space and very famous punk rock venue; artist studio/gallery and garage.
Where and what are we talking about here? An ice cream manufacturer? and strip joint?
The Cozy Corner
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/10697079_f3Bcf#744876835_eGp5X-S-LB (http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/10697079_f3Bcf#744876835_eGp5X-S-LB)
Not shown is the building next door with 2 shops, formerly Rice's Spinning Wheel Ice Cream and formerly Southern Furniture Hospital later The 730 Club.
Great article, Lake.
Amazing the creativity and craftsmanship in the past to make every building look special and like one of a kind. Love the attention to architectural details and scale. Newer buildings, even when using retro designs, appear as "plastic", "Disney-esque" contrivances, dull, and/or devoid of the same character by comparison.
It would be interesting to challenge an architect and contractor to join in building a "new" building that might match the charm, craftsmanship, and other attributes of the past to such a degree as to fool even the most careful of observers.
Are there any other Mizner buildings in Jax?
P.S. Loved the "Santa" with the cigarette hanging from the mouth. Lake, do you look for these characters and/or odd situations to spice your photos on purpose? ;)
This is exactly why I have delivered mail in Riverside for the past ten years and for more years to come hopefully.
Quote from: stjr on December 22, 2009, 09:08:11 PM
Great article, Lake.
Amazing the creativity and craftsmanship in the past to make every building look special and like one of a kind. Love the attention to architectural details and scale. Newer buildings, even when using retro designs, appear as "plastic", "Disney-esque" contrivances, dull, and/or devoid of the same character by comparison.
I actually enjoy going out and taking images of neighborhoods like Riverside. No matter how many times you do this, the architecture is so unique, you always find something you never noticed before. That character is one of the reasons neighborhoods like this having staying power and burbs die when the new wears off.
QuoteIt would be interesting to challenge an architect and contractor to join in building a "new" building that might match the charm, craftsmanship, and other attributes of the past to such a degree as to fool even the most careful of observers.
One that comes to mind is the Meeks office in Springfield.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-aug-adaptive-reuse-meeks-ross-selander-associates
QuoteAre there any other Mizner buildings in Jax?
Unfortunately, this was the only building Mizner designed in Jax. Luckily, its in Riverside instead of DT. If it were in DT, it probably would not exist today.
QuoteP.S. Loved the "Santa" with the cigarette hanging from the mouth. Lake, do you look for these characters and/or odd situations to spice your photos on purpose? ;)[/b]
When you keep a camera near you, you're always ready when the opportunity presents itself.
I was born in Riverside Hospital..where the Riverside Publix is now located and I remember fishing behind All Saints Nursing Home directly across the street. Two of the most haunted (really creepy) buildings in Jacksonville at one time. Makes you kind of wonder where all the ghosts in those buildings are now. I'm guessing Five Guys since the dead really like good burgers.
I thought there was a mizner house (1) somewhere in Jax.
I lived all over Riverside as a kid. Corner of Park and Cherry in the pink apartments, at 2141 Forbes St. upstairs, and on Donald St. when the library in Robert E. Lee High School caught on fire. I enjoyed living in Riverside, definitely hope to make it back there someday soon.
Wonderful work--best way to showcase our great neighborhoods! Thank you for all your efforts.
Excellent pics on this tour..You even got in the reflection of the U-haul we were using Saturday the 19th to move a friend on Myra and Stockton...across from the "Bakery Moderne"
A lot of new buildings and "stuff" have sprung up not only in the Riverside area/neighborhood, but also on Riverside Avenue. What is the grey building on Riverside Avenue? I used to live in Riverside and loved just driving around the neighborhood. My first street I lived on in Riverside was Margaret a block from 5 points (across from Wendys), and then I lived on Selma Street a block from Post. Beautiful neighborhood, historic but modernesque at the same time.
"HU"
My apartment made the pictures! Too cute!! :)
Quote from: lindab on December 22, 2009, 06:26:33 PM
The Cozy Corner
http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/10697079_f3Bcf#744876835_eGp5X-S-LB (http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/10697079_f3Bcf#744876835_eGp5X-S-LB)
Haha, I was going to mention the cozy corner too! :) Good times.... Good times....
And I feel special... my apartment made the cut as well! :D
Why aren't more suburban neighborhoods like this? True, Riverside isn't as walkable as a downtown central district, but it's 100x more walkable then most of the new community and developments we have here! Riverside even has lots of trees to keep cool during the summer months! The unique architecture of each house is something I haven't seen much in the more "modern" suburbs.
Every new development I visit, every new master plan neighborhood I've seen (e.g. Eagle Harbor, etc) none of them seem to match the charm of the Riverside/San Marco area. I don't think Riverside houses even have HoAs (not certain about) and all the politics and infighting it produces!
Wonderful article; makes me proud to live in the neighborhood. Sometimes we forget how fortunate we are to have our historic homes, mature trees, and such diversity.