Historic Lerner's Shop at a Cross Roads

[Metro Jacksonville]

Historic Lerner's Shop at a Cross Roads



Metrojacksonville.com has learned of interesting developments in the Urban Core surrounding the small historic Lerner's storefront on Main Street.  Apparently triggered by the opening of the Starbucks Coffee on the ground floor of 11 East, interest has suddenly been piqued in the area. This must come as a great validation to Elaine Brown, the intrepid former Councilwoman who connected the two partners of this deal hoping for this very outcome.  When we originally documented this plan, it was thought at the time that a few corporate anchors in the downtown would spur growth of the mom and pops and cause local investors to reconsider downtown, and that is exactly what is happening.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/489

[thelakelander]

Imo, the Art Deco facade would look pretty impressive preserved and incorporated into a larger contemporary styled, glass structure fronting Main Street.  That would be something you definately don't see around much in Jacksonville.

[stephendare]

agreed, lake.

in any case, the 'late 70s detention facility" look of the renderings are hardly an improvement over the present state of the building.

the etched facade would be pretty awesome against glass however.

[JUSTDAVE]

It was smart to give Eddie an opportunity to do something cool downtown, if it can give him some favorable publicity all the better. I think any version of a good plan is commendable. Under no circumstances should anyone look at this and say if Eddie doesn't do exactly what most people are recommending then his priorities are in the wrong place. I'm sure he will do whatever suits downtown without disregarding what suits him.

If we were talking about anyone else no one would demand exactly what they thought was best and then be disappointed if was good but not best. 

[thelakelander]

I think the desire of Eddie Farah to do something positive with that property is a great thing and should serve as a good example for a core used to seeing it's building stock replaced with parking lots.  However, getting some public feedback on a conceptual building plan shouldn't be viewed as a negative thing.  There could be something mentioned in the ongoing discussion that improves Eddie's plans and his profit margin.

[downtownparks]

Dave, these guys treat every downtown development the same. Nobody is singling out Farah.

[stephendare]

exactly.

Although i do think that tearing down a historic structure under any circumstances is a bad idea, especially if you already have tenants whose interest in your property hinges on preserving the facade

Eddie is a positive guy and I think wants to do something positive downtown, but sometimes there is a real disconnect between what a suburban minded architect might suggest and what an urban environment is served best by,

Until someone points it out, theres nothing to go on but the one point of view.

[Matt]

Either way, im happy. The space is getting used. I don't really mind the proposed plan that much.It kinda reminds me of some of the communist architecture in moscow(which is bad), but its different. I like seeing a lot of different styles. not to mention the fact that the original building is somewhat falling apart. my point is, the investment is going into downtown and thats one less empty parcel.

[thelakelander]

I can understand Matt's point of view.  After all, Farah could pull a KBJ Architects and just explode the structure for the hell of it, without plans to replace it with anything.

[stephendare]

true, except that the soviet style architecture is the one thing that would guarantee that the parcel would stay empty for the time being

[urbanlibertarian]

Why don't we hold a seance and ask Klutho what he might do with it?

[thelakelander]

I might be wrong but I don't think it's a Klutho building.

[urbanlibertarian]

I was referring to this quote from the article:

"At one time such intricate details were common around the central district---especially on the older buildings influenced by the geometric and natural-form decorations favored by Henry John Klutho, but as the local redevelopment agency and the various landowners allowed downtown to be demolished, they have become a rarity."

I would like to see some of the new structures downtown at least pay homage to the Prairie style which is so historically important here.

[thelakelander]

That would be nice.  Btw, Cesery's planned 3rd & Main project, in Springfield, is a prairie school throwback.

[urbanlibertarian]

Excellent.