| A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts |
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| Thursday, 21 August 2008 | |
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Here is a sneak peek inside Downtown Jacksonville's first authentic loft condominium development and the latest addition to the Bay Street Entertainment District. 301 East Bay Street originally opened in 1905 as the Covington Company Building. The Covington Company was a wholesale and retail dry goods business that was owned by Robert V. Covington. Covington's business was purchased by John H. and Augustus F. Churchwell during the 1920's. In 2004, Robert F. Pavelka, the grandson of J.H. Churchwell, formed Pavelka Properties, LLC. with the intent of converting the building into lofts. Now the structure lives on as a four story building housing 21 authentic lofts and space for 10,000 square feet of street retail.
The Exterior
The Street Level Retail Space
The One Bedroom Loft The One Bedroom Lofts are located on the northern end of the Churchwell Building.
The Two Bedroom Loft The Two Bedroom Lofts are located on the southern end of the Churchwell Building.
The Three Bedroom Lofts are located on the top floor and feature private rooftop terraces, overlooking the St. Johns River.
Common areas inside the building are lined with historical images of Downtown Jacksonville. This image shows the Southeast corner of Adams & Laura Street during Downtown's retail heyday.
Mike Cassala, Sales Manager at (904) 333-5603 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it website: www.churchwelllofts.net |
August 21, 2008, 7:50 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Whose to say that we aren't sophisticated here in J-ville
August 21, 2008, 8:04 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
I think the architect did very good on this one. I was sceptical of the roof top addition, but I like the end result. Outside of some minor issues, I like it. Good job! Let's get something really cool to fill in the first floor retail...
August 21, 2008, 9:21 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
They are very nice, but WAY over priced... Thats why there not sold out yet. I remember calling several years ago when they first went for sale, since then they have only sold a couple... amazing, if the developers werent so greedy, they would sell.... with an average house hold income in jacksonville at around $50k, nobody can even come close to affording anything downtown....... its ridiculous if you ask me!
August 21, 2008, 9:29 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Gorgeous.
August 21, 2008, 9:55 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Again, I can't take credit for the design. Mike and one of the original partners from Rink, Tom Fisher broke out on there own. Many know Tom's story. Mike continued on and I began work on this project during its value engineering drawings. I have enjoyed seeing the project thru construction and dealing with all the unknowns and unforeseen's.
Our only wish is that some of the items that were subject to cost were replaced with completely undervalued equipment.
BTW, nice pics!
Shameless plug, if you want to know more about our firm or some of our work, check out, www.fisherkoppenhafer.com
August 21, 2008, 9:57 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
::: drool :::
I wish I could even afford the 1 bedroom. LOVE IT.
August 21, 2008, 10:07 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Very nice... it will fill in despite the price... eventually.
August 21, 2008, 11:07 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Very Cool! If I was single (no kids) I would be all over it. I hope they move fast!
August 21, 2008, 11:27 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Progress...Impressive, most impressive.
August 21, 2008, 12:33 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Very very nice.
August 21, 2008, 1:00 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
I toured the building and several units a couple months ago, just as they were putting the finishing touches on the units. I agree that they are very nice, but the price is probably not where it needs to be to sell quickly. Aside from the pricing, my only gripes were as follows...the floors are original and there is little to no sound-deadening material added, so you can hear footsteps above your head from other units...not good. I'd hate to hear what a TV or stereo playing upstairs would sound like. The funky granite on the breakfast bars/kitchen islands is not to my taste (reddish orange swirl?) and detracts from the otherwise subtle and clean lines of the spaces. Also, the lack of on-site parking is not ideal. Monthly dues are pretty high too (don't remember the exact figures), which makes affordability an even bigger issue. Not sure who they're trying to market to (Jaguars players? Wealthy single professionals? Hip empty-nesters?) but overall it is a very nicely appointed project.
August 21, 2008, 2:00 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Trevett-Mock has become part of this historic landmark. They are a savy Real Estate Group who has a successful track record throughout the Southeast. Note that 1 Bedrooms are now priced from $250,000, 2 bedrooms from $385,000 and top of the line, 2 story penthouses from $699,000. As for sound transference, the developers have already addressed the issue. The parking lot is gated and within steps from the residential entrance on Market St. The monthly dues are consistent, if not lower than most other projects downtown. If you have any questions about the lofts, either use the contact information from the article or feel free to ask me.
August 21, 2008, 2:21 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Can you elaborate on how the sound transference was addressed? I have no doubt the monthly dues are in line with the market, I admit I don't fully comprehend how they are computed, but if an HOA budget is in place and is available to the public showing how the fees were determined then there shouldn't be an issue. Hopefully my list of gripes didn't come across to negatively...I really do like the project, but I feel it's only fair that the people interested hear the positives and the negatives from a neutral source.
August 21, 2008, 2:34 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Buyers have a choice in either going with exposed beams in their unit or dropped ceilings:
Dropped ceiling
Exposed ceiling
August 21, 2008, 3:02 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
dropped ceiling in a loft?
August 21, 2008, 3:04 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Love them and love the exposed ceiling.
August 21, 2008, 3:09 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Awesome views, Beautiful lofts, the only thing missing is me!
August 21, 2008, 3:17 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
I guess I used the wrong term. More like a replica of the original tin ceilings.
August 21, 2008, 5:32 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Ahhh... If only I could afford to 200k
August 21, 2008, 5:55 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
I guess I used the wrong term. More like a replica of the original tin ceilings.
You scared me for a minute!
August 21, 2008, 6:34 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
I agree wit' avonjax; You gotta go wit' the exposed ceiling. Hey Lake, make a facsimile of this thread on skyscrapercity. Jax may not have "twenty tower cranes" DT, but projects like this one help us catch up a lil'. Anyone one out there have 200 grand that I can borrow?
August 21, 2008, 7:12 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
what makes this the "first authentic loft condiminium development"? Aren't there other lofts downtown? Is this different in some way?
August 21, 2008, 7:17 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
I can't think of any other authentic loft condominium development downtown that has been completed. The Knight & Metropolitan lofts are rental and all the others, like 1951 Market, are in other neighborhoods. Can anyone name another loft condo development downtown?
August 21, 2008, 8:31 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
I guess one could argue that Home Street Lofts fit the bill, but they're technically in San Marco and their industrial style is much different than Churchwell.
August 21, 2008, 8:40 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Although on the extreme Southbank, Home Street Lofts would qualify. So perhaps Churchwell would be the first on the Northbank. This is something that's pretty shocking considering the number of older structures we still have standing.
August 21, 2008, 11:21 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Hmm I still wonder about the average age range of people that would live in a place like that. Personally I would love to if I had the money but I just don't see that many people in their mid 20's / early 30's paying that much money to live there. Especially considering it would be like making an investment on downtown with the hopes that Bay Street takes off like we've been promised it would.
August 21, 2008, 11:41 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
For a "market rate" loft in downtown, I assume one would have to be willing to forgo many of the features offered in the Churchwell project (ex. the square footage, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, etc.). The Churchwell project is definately luxury, so it probably appeals to the same crowd that can afford a spot at the Home Street Lofts. If you're looking for lower price levels, try 1951 Market in Springfield.
August 22, 2008, 12:25 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
No, what I'm saying is that if I'm paying for 200k to live anywhere, I would hope that the area would justify that amount of money. Right now we have no idea what the city plans on doing with the old courthouse. Definitely have no idea as to if Bay Street with ever turn into an entertainment district at all either. Maybe people don't buy residences with those types of things in mind, but that's what would go through my head in consideration of buying aside from the fact that the actual place is really nice.
August 22, 2008, 12:32 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Something like this should scream at someone like me as a place I want to buy into. But as priced, it's WAY outside of reasonability. I have to wonder how many of the "encouraged" redevelopment projects mentioned (or at least compared to) on this site are outside of a reasonable consideration.
I'm not nearly an expert on the "urban redevelopment" subject...but it strikes me that if we want a successful urban redevelopment, it has to be at least reasonably economically comparable to inner ring suburban living. It strikes me that there's plenty of "luxury" development happening downtown...but we're seriously missing redevelopment that's accessible to the non-luxury class. I might be nuts, but I think that's where the initial redevelopment success will be seen...
...either that, or I'm seriously misinterpreting the collective "wish I could afford that" opinion expressed on this thread.
August 22, 2008, 8:20 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
$200,000 was considered cheap 2 years ago!
example, I had an 1100sf townhouse in South Tampa that I bought for $75,000 in 2001....it was a steal at that price given the neighborhood potential...I sold 4 years later for $175,000....then bought another TH down the street for $260,000....and sold it for $330,000 less than 18 months later when I moved here.
So in April 2006 I plopped $265k down on a townhouse at Parks @ Cathedral in downtown....while that was by far the most expensive unit in the complex, I thought it was a good deal for an 1800sf end unit with a view of the syline....It seems to me that if downtown did take off and urban living became cool here in Jax, my townhome could be worth $400-$500k.
So when you look at it that way, the prices at Churchwell Lofts may not be that bad....also, keep in mind the costs that went into rehabbing the building.
August 22, 2008, 10:38 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Actually, for a loft, I thought the units were on the small side. Upgrading to stainless appliances and granite countertops would probably average about $5K in additional costs, so those features shouldn't boost the sales price THAT much. 1951 Market is OK, but it's not "downtown".
August 23, 2008, 6:35 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
yeah, I was thinking of Metropolitan lofts, I didn't realize they were all rentals
August 24, 2008, 4:23 am
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
I dunno what you think "downtown" is supposed to be; A coupla blocks from the FL Theatre, the Landing, and ev'rything in DT Jax; Gimme a break!!!!
August 24, 2008, 1:09 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
I assume he's defining downtown as everything from the river up to State & Union and from I-95 to Hogans Creek.
August 24, 2008, 2:41 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
Yes, exactly. 1951 Market is in Springfield, not downtown.
August 24, 2008, 6:32 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
^^^My bad TREE; I thought that you were talkin' about Churchwell. My fault.
September 14, 2008, 1:04 pm
Re: A Look Inside: The Churchwell Lofts
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