Stories Behind the Concrete Slabs of Jax: Part II

The Grand View Hotel/Hotel Virginia/Hotel Gregg


Courtesy of http://www.whitewayrealty.com/Home/historical-post/famous-hotels-of-old-jacksonville

The Grand View Hotel opened in 1883, at the northwest corner of Clay and Forsyth Streets. Under the proprietorship of D.E. Cooper, it was advertised as downtown's most centrally located hotel, offering two room layouts. The American plan priced at $2.00/day and up, and the European plan at $1.00 and up. In 1912, it was sold and rebranded as the Hotel Virginia. Owned by Sherwood Thaxton, it was said to be a modern, first-class popular-priced hotel with running water and phones in every room. From 1941 to its closing in 1969, it was known as the Gregg Hotel.  A few years later, a higher and best use was identified for this site. In 1974, the hotel was demolished and its foundation was preserved to live on as a parking lot. The next time you park to visit the nearby county courthouse, if you look down, you'll notice the remnants of the 513 West Forsyth Street facade.


Courtesy of http://www.whitewayrealty.com/Home/historical-post/famous-hotels-of-old-jacksonville



Stories Behind the Concrete Slabs of Jax - Part 1

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com