Developer proposes 13-story Southbank apartment tower

[Tacachale]

^It was pie in the sky even before the real estate bubble burst. The current project is much more feasible.

[billy]

I think around this period there were three planned Arquitectonica designed residential high rises planned for both sides of the St. Johns.
The other two were at the Shipyards.

[thelakelander]

DDRB sided with the apartment developer. The owner of the Aetna Building (or whatever it's called now) plans to file a suit to keep the apartment project from happening. They don't want the building to be taller than 60' even though a 45 story building had the green light to be built in the same location before the real estate bust killed it.

[MusicMan]

How long do they have to file? Or how soon can construction begin?

[FlaBoy]

How long do they have to file? Or how soon can construction begin?

If its an injunction they are looking for, they need to file ASAP but have a two year period. It is an almost certainly fruitless lawsuit.

[edjax]

How long do they have to file? Or how soon can construction begin?

If its an injunction they are looking for, they need to file ASAP but have a two year period. It is an almost certainly fruitless lawsuit.

Agree it seems worthless to attempt.  Let's see they bought it in 2013 and one would think during their due diligence they were very aware of the previously approved project on the same tract of land.  So they felt they got such a good deal it was worth the risk.  Also did they make any attempt to purchase this land to protect their investment?  If not I would throw the suit out.

[acme54321]

Anyone know what was mentioned about this project at the DIA meeting?

[KenFSU]

^Just that the owners and neighbors have come to an agreement that cut the 300-unit $65 million project down to 180-units at $45 million. DIA is on board with the requested $8 million, 20-year REV grant.

[acme54321]

Cool, I was curious if they had released any renderings.

[jcjohnpaint]

There was about a year ago, but I don't know if it will be 13 fls anymore.

[acme54321]

Yeah, I've seen those.  I'd say it wasn't exactly an awe inspiring building.  I'm hoping that this new building will be a little more interesting architecturally rather than just downsizing what had been proposed.  We can dream

[bl8jaxnative]

Where exactly is this proposed for? 

[acme54321]

Where exactly is this proposed for?

The surface lot between the Aetna building and Acosta bridge.

[howfam]

Yeah, I've seen those.  I'd say it wasn't exactly an awe inspiring building.  I'm hoping that this new building will be a little more interesting architecturally rather than just downsizing what had been proposed.  We can dream

I hope it's not another 5-story frame building on our downtown waterfront. Embarrassing!!

[KenFSU]

^Counterpoints.

1) Metro Houston has 6.5 million people living in an area smaller than Jacksonville. Makes sense that they'd have more, bigger skyscrapers than a metro of 1.5 million spread over a larger land area. You build up when a shortage of land makes building out more expensive.

2) Demand for residential units and office space in downtown Jacksonville is finite. If there's demand for 1,000 apartments, you've got to chose between height and density. Personally, I'd rather have ten 5-story apartment buildings going up and providing some infill than one 50-story highrise.

3) If you compare our skyline to that of comparable MSAs, it's actually quite nice.