A Century of Florida's Tallest Skyscrapers

[Metro Jacksonville]

A Century of Florida's Tallest Skyscrapers



The title of tallest building in Florida changed hands twelve times over the past 100 years.  Of the 13 buildings to hold the title, 6 of them are in Jacksonville.  Today, Metro Jacksonville takes a look at Florida's Tallest Buildings throughout more than a century.

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http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/728

[jeh1980]

About the Modis Tower, I had done research on an old Jacksonville bicentential celebration book long ago that the building was actualy built in July of 1975.

[Steve]

I've seen that mistake as well - it was built in 1974.

http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?cityID=135
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=101041&bt=2&ht=2&sro=1

I guess because 1975 is a round year that mistake is made, but I've seen that myself a lot as well.

[second_pancake]

My husband and I were talking to road-bike racer, Paul Curly about doing a stair-climbing race through the stairwell of the Modis building.  How cool would that be?  An individual time-trial to see who can climb and descend all flights of stairs the fastest.  I can tell you this, it wouldn't be me.

[Jason]

This is what this site is all about, IMO.  Most of us here are skyscraper fanatics and thrive on topics like this one.  Very well done!

I wasn't aware that Tampa held the title twice, although for only a short period of time.  Its good to know that outside of Miami, Jax holds the title over everyone else...  ;-)

I can't wait for the market to rebound so that the ongoing race for the state's tallest may continue.  Who knows, maybe Jax can pull for the tallest in the south, or even the country?

[jeh1980]

About the Modis Tower, I had done research on an old Jacksonville bicentential celebration book long ago that the building was actualy built in July of 1975.

I've seen that mistake as well - it was built in 1974.

http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?cityID=135
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=101041&bt=2&ht=2&sro=1

I guess because 1975 is a round year that mistake is made, but I've seen that myself a lot as well.

Well, I actualy thought that what I had read wasn't really a mistake. Let's me explain. In one of the 1974 Architectual Digest magazines (I think that was the name of it, Im not so sure) I had researched, I happen to see an ad for the Libbey-Owens-Ford glass company that showed Independent Square (Modis Tower) under construction. Then I might have read somewhere in that ad that said it's will be completed February 1975. But later, I read in a Jacksonville bicentenial celebration book that was published in 1976 that the building was actualy built in July 1975. Go figure! All in all, I believe that that building was REALLY built in 1975, not 1974. Sorry for the confusion !

[Timkin]

 Pretty cool information.. Also good to know how old these structures are and that belive it or not, most of them are still with us.


It will be interesting to see what becomes of the Laura Trio.  I regret Cameron Kuhns misfortune.

[thelakelander]

All of the listed buildings are still standing and other than the Laura Trio, still in good shape.

[Ocklawaha]

Wasn't the last big announced "new" project building in the recent boom a Miami clone with the promise of being higher? 68-70 stories? Would it have trumped the current Miami winner? Wonder if it's dead forever or "on hold" until such time... if so, we're probably not out of the race forever.

Ocklawaha

[Ocklawaha]

One more thought... and I hope they see this! I think the current Fidelity and DuPont buildings are sorry excuses for fortune 500 corporate HQ types. Come on guys, give us something to brag about!

Ocklawaha

[Ocklawaha]

One more time... Hey family? Chattanooga has a KRYSTAL RESTAURANT tower. Where the hell is our WINN DIXIE tower?

Florida East Coast? Moved from St. Augustines tallest trio to Baymeadows! Damn boys, give those folks over at CSX something to stare at!

Sell the old JEA site to the Seminole Nation and raise a hotel, retail complex to play the game at a new level. And I do mean GAME!

Ocklawaha

[thelakelander]

Wasn't the last big announced "new" project building in the recent boom a Miami clone with the promise of being higher? 68-70 stories? Would it have trumped the current Miami winner? Wonder if it's dead forever or "on hold" until such time... if so, we're probably not out of the race forever.

Ocklawaha

The latest Miami +1,000ft project was announced last week.  They have two +1,000 footers that are continuing to move forward. 

[thelakelander]

Sell the old JEA site to the Seminole Nation and raise a hotel, retail complex to play the game at a new level. And I do mean GAME!

Ocklawaha

According to Stephen Dare, casino paddleboats will be on the downtown riverfront within the next two years.

[Ocklawaha]

Stephendare?

Oh now y'all are my best friends!

Will they serve REBEL YELL?

Ocklawaha

[reednavy]

MODIS may be the big player here when it comes to dominant building, but Bank of America still is mine. I guess it is the colors, shape, and overall stark contrast to the much brighter MODIS Building. JAX has a very nice skyline and can really bank on it when the next boom starts.