Jacksonville is Losing its Identity

[OspreyGrad]

I didn't know where to post these new renderings for an idea of adding three new towers on the downtown riverfront. The tallest tower is almost identical to the Zaha Hadid Miami tower. I think we are due for some new towers downtown.

[jaxlongtimer]

More great renderings, Osprey.  However, I think your vision shows a lead-in to a high rise "wall" along our riverfront not unlike the walls of towers lining South Florida beaches.

For me, this would be disappointing.  I would rather see towers more in the center blocks of the City and low rises along the waterfront, creating a "step down" approach to the river.  I think this would be more aesthetically pleasing than an abrupt wall lining the riverfront.  It also preserves wider "panoramic" views, keeps shading off the surface of the river and makes the river more inviting/approachable, not being "intimidated" or minimized due to visual competition by the high-rises.

Assuming that wall shows up on both sides of the river one day, the river will look to be more like the Colorado river running through Glen or Grand Canyons.  In nature, it looks dramatic, here, not so much.

It is shameful that the City hasn't built in such considerations in its master planning (currently, non-existent) and zoning.

[OspreyGrad]

Thanks for your comments jaxlongtimer. We definitely want to avoid the "canyon effect" as a city. I'll look at adding some residential high-rises closer to the center of downtown.

[CityLife]

Neat renderings...but the units in the Zaha Hadid building range from $7 million to $21 million. If that building was on the ocean in Ponte Vedra with 5 of the best restaurants in Jax on the ground floor, a world class pool and amenity package, free membership and shuttles to Sawgrass; it still wouldn't be financially feasible in North Florida.

Downtown Jacksonville's least biggest issue imo, is lack of high rise buildings.  It likely has one of the most disproportionate relationships between the number of high-rises it has and the vibrancy of its downtown in the entire country.

[OspreyGrad]

I agree with you CityLife. High priced condo apartments are probably one of our least biggest issue. For me, bringing down the crime rate throughout our city and making families feel safe should be top priority.

[jcjohnpaint]

Osprey, where did you go to school? I'm guessing UNF at some point. Are you studying architecture now? UNF does not have architecture.

[OspreyGrad]

jcjohnpaint, I graduated in EE at UNF. Had UNF offered architecture at the time I was there, I would have taken architecture.