Artea at Southbank proposed

[thelakelander]

A look at plans for a new 340-unit market rate apartment complex named Artea at Southbank.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/artea-at-southbank-proposed/

[acme54321]

Man it would be really nice if someone could throw out some different architecture these days.  These things are not going to age well.

[Captain Zissou]

This is definitely better than what's currently there, but I'm shocked that DDRB doesn't have more issues with this.

[Zac T]

That is a very long building

[Charles Hunter]

This is definitely better than what's currently there, but I'm shocked that DDRB doesn't have more issues with this.

Are you really shocked by the lack of comment from the DDRB?  Or just disappointed?

[thelakelander]

I'm shocked at the length of that building, but not surprised.

I had the same issues with the Related Group building on the Southbank, but this is an even bigger issue in that it limits connectivity to the Kings Avenue Skyway Station from The District and other future development to the east. In the near future, the large surface parking lot to the west will (or should) get filled in with development. This site should be designed to integrate in with future development there and connect to the Kings Avenue Station. It simply requires the building to be split in half, with either a pedestrian plaza or new street in the middle. Even the latest plan for The District has a new road connecting to Broadcast Place right around where this new road should be. This may be a foreign concept in Jax, but planning for future development scenarios is what any decently run municipality does.

Creating a walkable downtown requires the creation of smaller to moderate sized blocks. Creating a successful downtown transit system requires good pedestrian linkages to the Skyway. Creating an aesthetically pleasing downtown requires some articulation and proper massing of buildings. This project fails at all three.

Very disappointing that the DIA keeps bringing forward poorly designed site plans for approval...

These are all things that the DIA, COJ, JTA, the development community, etc. should have some guidance on through the development of a transparent, community supported and coordinated downtown master plan. Since we don't have one, things like this get overlooked or not considered like they really should. Because of that, I'm not surprised.

[Captain Zissou]

This is definitely better than what's currently there, but I'm shocked that DDRB doesn't have more issues with this.

Are you really shocked by the lack of comment from the DDRB?  Or just disappointed?

I guess just disappointed. It looks like they ripped off the rooftop area from Vista Brooklyn, combined with the Vestcor cookie cutter design, and Related group massing.  It's a Jacksonville design gumbo that DDRB has no issues with.  My main complaint though is that billing this as TOD while there is a quarter mile walk to get to the skyway station is a major stretch.

[thelakelander]

This is definitely better than what's currently there, but I'm shocked that DDRB doesn't have more issues with this.

Are you really shocked by the lack of comment from the DDRB?  Or just disappointed?

I guess just disappointed. It looks like they ripped off the rooftop area from Vista Brooklyn, combined with the Vestcor cookie cutter design, and Related group massing.  It's a Jacksonville design gumbo that DDRB has no issues with.  My main complaint though is that billing this as TOD while there is a quarter mile walk to get to the skyway station is a major stretch.

Yeah, there's nothing that's "TOD" about this in the sense of what TOD actually means and is. The only real transit connection here is that JTA owns the property. That's about it.

[jaxoNOLE]

That DIA can look at these renderings and find "variety" is baffling. Any layperson can see this is a size 15 shoebox.

[jaxlongtimer]

LOL, people worry about the LERP but accept that Jacksonville is going to be the "boxy building" capital of the world at this rate.  At least the LERP will be memorable and definitely one of a kind.  We need it to create interest in our skyline, if nothing else.  Every building here just about is a painted or glass box.  I actually think the new FIS building is less inspiring than what I expected from the renderings, at least viewing it from the river side.  Our most interesting buildings were built prior to 1990 or so it seems.  Ever since, mostly blah.

[heights unknown]

Man it would be really nice if someone could throw out some different architecture these days.  These things are not going to age well.

I agree; and...it just seems like the "same ole, same ole," cookie cutter, conveyor belt but with different developers, contractors, etc. (and names). Find something different, do something different, and, it seems to me that this is the trend in almost all small, medium, and large cities; I see them in almost every good sized city I visit. I can't complain too much though. We would have screamed for something like this 40 years ago to add density to the urban core/downtown.

[MusicMan]

"Jacksonville-based Corner Lot Development Group plans to develop a 340-unit, four-story market rate apartment building along Broadcast Place, just north of Interstate 95. Called Artea at Southbank, the project would include a four-level, 425 space parking garage on a 3.87 acre site that is owned by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority"

Is it just me, or is that a lot to pack onto 4 acres parcel?

[tufsu1]

This is definitely better than what's currently there, but I'm shocked that DDRB doesn't have more issues with this.

Its important to note that it is DIA staff recommending approval in their report. The DDRB itself will be discussing conceptual approval today, and will likely raise some issues. The applicant must also go through DDRB's final approval process.

[realestatejax]

"Jacksonville-based Corner Lot Development Group plans to develop a 340-unit, four-story market rate apartment building along Broadcast Place, just north of Interstate 95. Called Artea at Southbank, the project would include a four-level, 425 space parking garage on a 3.87 acre site that is owned by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority"

Is it just me, or is that a lot to pack onto 4 acres parcel?

It is that's why there is a parking garage.  Take a look at the new apartments at Gate Parkway and Deerwood Park Blvd.  The apartments wrap a garage.   

[jaxoNOLE]

Unanimous approval at the conceptual stage, but with criticism:

"I think us as a board, we have a responsibility to do. And that is not pack Downtown — in the immediate areas of Downtown — with cookie-cutter apartment complexes. And with all due respect, that's exactly what this is. We passed a couple others very recently as well, and I think we're flirting with danger on that," Allen said.

The project must return to the DDRB for final design approval before the project can break ground.

Corner Lot CEO Andy Allen said Oct. 7 that the company likely will seek a Recapture Enhanced Value Grant tax refund from the city through the Downtown Investment Authority for what will be a market-rate apartment project.

If the city is going to give a REV grant, we should definitely be pushing for a better design. Here's hoping the DDRB sticks with that and demands some improvements on the final approval step.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/photo-gallery/corner-lot-southbank-apartments-advance-despite-cookie-cutter-design