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The beauty and wonder of Jacksonville has been recognized by the Florida Chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIA Florida) in naming 17 buildings throughout the city to their list of the Top 100 Buildings & Places in Florida constructed within the past 100 years. These include the St. James Building (City Hall), the Florida Theater, Riverplace Tower/Gulf Life Building, and 14 other well-known local landmarks; list of buildings are included below. As part of its 100th Anniversary, AIA Florida has launched the Florida Architecture: 100 Years 100 Places competition, which identifies 100 buildings across the state that represent the best in architectural achievement.
Charthouse Restaurant
Beginning on March 13th, AIA Florida will ask the public to rank the nominated buildings selecting the top building in Florida through online voting at
There will be stiff competition amongst the Florida communities but you can help make our region stand out! We ask that you please include the 17 buildings and provide a link to the Competition on your website, to encourage cultural awareness of the architecture community and a little friendly rivalry around the State. Remember, you can vote as many times as you like! Both residents and visitors alike are sure to enjoy voting and benefit from visiting these sites.
Riverside Baptist Church
A little additional background:
• AIA Florida is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2012, started 100 years ago in Jacksonville.
• Later this year, AIA Florida will develop a mobile application to allow anyone in the state to take a “virtual walking tour” of the Top 100 buildings in Florida.
• The Competition kick-off is in March and a statewide celebration of Architecture Month in April; AIA Jacksonville’s Architecture Week April 30th – May 3rd ;
• AIA Jacksonville is working with the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) for a celebration of Jacksonville’s architecture with a 3 month exhibit opening October 2012.
Florida Life Building
Jacksonville’s buildings included in the Top 100:
17 of Jacksonville’s architectural gems contribute to the 100 Buildings Celebration:
- Welton Becket: Gulf Life Tower
- Roy Benjamin: Florida Theater
- Robert C Broward: Unitarian Church
- Robert C Broward: Wesley Manor
- Blake Ellis: St. Paul’s by the Sea Church
- Taylor Hardwick: Haydon Burns Library
- Kendrick Bangs Kellogg: Chart House
- Henry J Klutho: Florida Life Building
- Henry J Klutho: St. James Building
- Marsh & Saxelbye: Epping Forest
- Marsh & Saxelbye: San Hose Hotel/Bolles School
- Addison Mizner: Riverside Baptist Church
- William Morgan: Williamson Residence
- William Morgan: Residence
- Rink Design: UNF Student Union
- Paul Rudolph: Milam House
- Robert Stern: Jacksonville Main Library
St. James Building
Please consider partnering with us as we embark on this historic celebration of architecture and the communities that benefit from these buildings.
VOTE HERE: www.aiaflatop100.org
For more information please contact William Bishop, AIA; Chapter spokesperson, at 904-356-2654 or wbishop@alsarchitects.com or Tom Norman, AIA, Chapter President, at tnorman@enbarchitects.com.
About AIA Florida
The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects, headquartered in Tallahassee, represents the interests of more than 3,600 members in Florida and the Caribbean. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA-member architect’s dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.
The UNF Student Union is shown as the cover image.
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vicupstate
March 20, 2012, 05:41:36 AMFlorida Life Building is listed and is in serious danger of demolition by neglect. Sad commentary.
Glad to see the Gulf Life building made the list. Definitely deserves to be there.
acme54321
March 20, 2012, 07:29:10 AMSpeaking of the Trio... any more news on that?
Did I hear something about the historic preservation tax credits going to the city council for approval, or am I making that up?
tufsu1
March 20, 2012, 07:58:28 AMI took the survey yesterday...although oddly it seemed like there were 119 buildings on the top 100 list
kamitree
March 20, 2012, 08:59:11 AMWhy isn't the top photo of the UNF Student Union captioned?
wsansewjs
March 20, 2012, 05:04:36 PMRink Design will be ineligible to receive the award if the UNF Student Union because it no longer exists. I am sure that UNF will receive it in its place.
-Josh
thelakelander
March 20, 2012, 11:25:10 PMIt was a title picture and it didn't have the option. I've added the credit to the end of the article.
Ocklawaha
March 21, 2012, 08:51:57 AMOkay, it's a joke right?
Jacksonville Terminal Station didn't make the cut?
fonduecheddar
March 22, 2012, 10:45:16 PMInstead of just hosting an exhibit at MOSH how about we cut a portion down, cover the cul de sac and make River City's entrance more towards the 95 south ramp and in it's place build a new modern museum of Science and History? Meanwhile keeping the planetarium and some old exhibits, in it's honor of course. Hey, even the people who did the Cummer back lawn can build a nice knoll leading down to the fountain.
Maybe it would be on this list someday.
Tacachale
March 23, 2012, 05:07:57 PMWe've learned that the UNF Student Union - perhaps most widely known as the building Tacachale works in - is now at #2 in the polls, the only Jax building in the top 5. It's also at the top in the Educational building category and is one of the top picks by professional architects. Almost there...
http://www.aiaflatop100.org/building.cfm?idsBuilding=20
Also, the Florida Theater is at the top in the performing arts buildings categories.
http://www.aiaflatop100.org/building.cfm?idsBuilding=76
Jacksonville has more buildings in this list than any other city. Come on folks, let's vote for our Jax buildings!
Tacachale
April 06, 2012, 02:12:23 PMToday's the last day to vote for our Jacksonville buildings. The UNF Student Union is near the top in the vote:
http://www.aiaflatop100.org/building.cfm?idsBuilding=20
The Florida Theater is at the top of the performing arts category:
http://www.aiaflatop100.org/building.cfm?idsBuilding=76
The polls close at midnight, so come on and support our architectural heritage!