The Fleur-de-Lis: An Urban Core Preservation Success

[Doctor_K]

Looks great.

Is Florida Lee an American version of the "fleur-de-lis"?

Ugh.

Great article and wonderful success story.  Very nice to see something done right amidst plenty of wrongs.

Bravo!

[ChriswUfGator]

It's beautiful!

Lucky that it survived the SPARbarian hordes and their lackey David Roe's code-enforcement rampage. Unfortunately, so many other beautiful properties weren't as lucky. Seeing stuff like this is bittersweet. It highlights what's possible, that is, when we don't tear down every building that is rundown or vacant, and even a bunch that weren't, so that we can turn over the lots to developers who just so happen to be giving us money. It also reminds me of just how much has been lost in the last 8 years, unnecessarily.

And that Folio Weekly piece on DeSpain & SPAR made me even more ill. I found it especially ironic, considering that the week before it was published, Louise's longtime best friend Eva Ayres had just knocked down another historic house so that she could have more yard space. But somehow that didn't make it into the article? Hmmm. Clearly we're dealing with some serious historic preservationists here!

Anyhow, enough of my rant. Point is, that's really all it takes, folks. A little elbow grease, a modest investment, and a willing owner. Half the neighborhood really didn't have to be bulldozed, it could all be just like this building turned out.

[TheProfessor]

Onto the Coca-Cola factory redevelopment.  Who's in?  Who's got the money?

[Kamron]

I just moved in here! I love it! And I love Terry and Terry. By the way.. my unit is a bit different. Much nicer, I think. I have burnt orange walls, the original tile, and a few additional original cabinet details in the kitchen. (as well as the glass front cabinet doors they just built.) They are still working on the outside/grounds.. but it already feels nice.

[duvaldude08]

I could deal with the burnt orange walls. That baby blue is a little gurly. And then Im a fan of earth tones as well. Im sure your place is really nice.

[Kamron]

Oh... by the way, it IS the "Fleur de Lis." 

[thelakelander]

Wow!  I guess I was off on that one.  I'll edit the title.

[Kamron]

I thought it was, but I wanted to double check with Terry first.  He confirmed it.

[TheProfessor]

They should put a Fleur de Lis symbol below the arch.

[lbrickel40]

Am always so happy to see another building being restored in my childhood neighborhood, am long so to move back, if anyone has or knows of anyone renting a 3 bedroom please let me know, I can be reached by email at lbrickel40@yahoo.com

[sheclown]

This looks just beautiful.  What an asset to that area.

[Timkin]

Nothing I can add to this that has not already been said.  Thank you for saving a historic building and making it into something nice.  I wish this could become the mindset , so that we could save what remains , rather than bulldozing it, and replacing it with cheaply-made modern structures that would never stand the test of time, that this place has.   Beautiful Job !!!

[Timkin]

 But this does raise my curiosity to something... the age old debate of wrecking and replacing VS Restoration.  

What did it cost to purchase and renovate this place?   What would it cost to demolish and replace it with a building just like it of similar construction??  

[Timkin]

Those units look amazing.  Really great work.  I'd love to do something like that some day.

So  would I CZ ....... Seeing something positive like this amazing project emerge still gives me hope for the future of some of Jacksonville's  Older buildings. 

[Timkin]

Also would love to see the Coca-cola plant revived.  I would volunteer on projects like these as I could....just to see them revived