Abandoned Jacksonville: The Ambassador Hotel

[Tacachale]

^Double Exposure: Making creepy buildings even creepier since 1839!

thats not a double exposure on the stairs. i took that shot as my friend was walking up the stairs during a long exposure.

nice work ennis!
Modify message

I stand corrected.

Accept no substitutes for your spooky photography needs, long exposure has the history you can trust!

[urbaknight]

It needs to be apartments, not offices. there are plenty of places already fitted to serve as offices. We need people living Downtown and it would be easier because the framework is already there as apartments.

[Jack]

It's proximity to the new Courthouse could make it an attractive office location long before it will support lofts/apartments.

[Timkin]

It needs to be apartments, not offices. there are plenty of places already fitted to serve as offices. We need people living Downtown and it would be easier because the framework is already there as apartments.

I would completely agree with this post.  We have tons of vacant office space..  Apartments / Condos / Lofts are a fit for that.  If downtown was in better economic condition and had more to attract major numbers, I would even go as far as to say it could / should be a Hotel again.

I will just be happy if it is spared and  a purpose identified.

[Noone]

It needs to be apartments, not offices. there are plenty of places already fitted to serve as offices. We need people living Downtown and it would be easier because the framework is already there as apartments.

+1
Did the Ambassador receive $1 or $2,000,000 in Historic Preservation Trust Fund money?

[thelakelander]

No.  It has not received a dime from the trust fund.

[Noone]

Then it went to the Kuhn properties? Just recall a period of time when the Old Fuller Warren Bidge was an issue and then councilwoman Glorious Johnson mentioning that money was in the fund and that it could have been another potential funding source in addition to others funds. FIND another source.

Thanks for the clarification. Thought the windows were paid from that fund.

[thelakelander]

^I think you're talking about the Barnett Bank Building at Laura and Adams.

[Timkin]

Yes.. Kuhn was developing the Laura Trio, right Lake?  Was there ANY renovation done there? if there was I do not see it.

definitely nothing on the Ambassador looks updated.

[thelakelander]

They did gut the buildings into shells in preparation for redevelopment. A new roof was also put on the Marble Bank.

[johncb]

Timkin,I am that poster you were refering to.And how do I know it is cost prohibitive to save? I was the manager there for several years,and know every inch of that building. You can see from the picture of the basement,the water level on that tank,well,that water was that high for YEARS.Theres not one peice of machinery that is functional,not even the freight or passenger elevator.When the passenger elevator started acting up,we had a company come look at it,just to fix it was half a million,and that wouldnt even gaurantee the city would pass it.The windows were put in in 90 I think,and that was done by the former owners when they sold it.There are structural issues,foundation issues, infrastructure issues,sewage issues,the list is endless.Id love to see it as it was,but I know it would take millions upon millions of dollars,and Jax will never ever be that forward thinking.

[BackinJax05]

If you look closely, and long enough, you'll see the virgin Mary

[Timkin]

Timkin,I am that poster you were refering to.And how do I know it is cost prohibitive to save? I was the manager there for several years,and know every inch of that building. You can see from the picture of the basement,the water level on that tank,well,that water was that high for YEARS.Theres not one peice of machinery that is functional,not even the freight or passenger elevator.When the passenger elevator started acting up,we had a company come look at it,just to fix it was half a million,and that wouldnt even gaurantee the city would pass it.The windows were put in in 90 I think,and that was done by the former owners when they sold it.There are structural issues,foundation issues, infrastructure issues,sewage issues,the list is endless.Id love to see it as it was,but I know it would take millions upon millions of dollars,and Jax will never ever be that forward thinking.

I appreciate you posting a reply on the building's situation.  Your very last sentence is profound, and unfortunately , the truth.

Jacksonville will never be that forward thinking.  Certainly not with the government currently in place, nor economics being what they are.

As to the Structural soundness of the building,  That would have to be proven to me. 

In any event, I think the building will be demolished.   No money or prospects to save it.   Heck if we can't save a tiny little bank building , the Ambassador doesn't have a chance.