Print ArticleImmediately following the Great Fire of 1901, the skyscraper made its way to Jacksonville. Over the decades to follow, the city's tallest building has changed nine times. Here's a look at those buildings.
3. Florida Life Building 
Year completed: 1911
Height: 148 feet/11 Stories
The Florida Life Building was erected for use by the Florida Life Insurance Company. This high-rise was also designed by Henry Klutho, who was building the St. James Building (now City Hall) at the same time. The structure included several Prairie School elements, such as scrolled capitals at the top of the pilasters, made popular by Louis Sullivan, “the father of the skyscraper.” Other notable features of the building include broad plate glass, Chicago-styled windows, and a copper cornice.
Florida Life used this building for a mere four years before they filed for bankruptcy in 1915. For decades, this building, the Marble Bank and Bisbee Buildings were occupied by the Florida National Bank. Together, they are known as the Laura Trio.
The Laura Trio was acquired by Cameron Kuhn in in the mid-2000s. Kuhn desperately wanted to restore this building, as well as the rest of the Laura Trio, but he, unfortunately, went bankrupt before he could do so. In 2010, the property was acquired by the Atkins Group for a second attempt at restoration. Future plans for the structures call for their conversion into a Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
12 Comments so far
Jump into the conversation