A new look: The Lofts at Southbank

[thelakelander]

The latest with the Lofts at Southbank



The development team behind a plan to bring a mixed-use self storage anchored development to the downtown Southbank now seeks a request for Final Approval from the Downtown Development Review Board. Here is a look at the latest plan for the Lofts at Southbank. Let us know what you think.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/the-latest-with-the-lofts-at-southbank/

[CityLife]

They've done a much better job with the north elevation, but the south, east and (especially) west elevations are going to look bad from 95.

They don't have the view of the west elevation from 95, but imagine it will look worse than the one below. Four sided architecture is important, not just one flashy view that looks good in media releases/promotional materials.

[Charles Hunter]

I like the 2023 concept - just make it taller.

[acme54321]

Their half ass attempt at breaking up those big blank walls still look like ass.

[jaxlongtimer]

I thought one view from the north looking south was a bit better but this one from I-95 makes it look still like a prison building.  The tall "windows" on the upper portion don't jive well with the solid walls below.  It looks like two different buildings stacked on top of each other... which it is!  I believe "weird" is the word of the day.  Aesthetically unsettling.

[Papa33]

Forget about dressing it up.  Just go full on brutalist.

[heights unknown]

They're back, still has those big blank walls with a half assed effort to break them up...

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/sep/05/see-the-new-renderings-design-of-lofts-at-southbank-goes-up-for-final-approval/

I'm sure it will get approved, because Jacksonville

Not much of a change or difference in my opinion; almost none.

[Ocklawaha]

Best design of 1924! I like it, just add awnings and a brass elevator.

[sandyshoes]

The photos from the link remind me of huge plastic baskets from the dollar store turned upside down over the buildings.

[Ken_FSU]

Keeping fight the good fight, Ennis 

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/sep/12/lofts-at-southbank-clears-final-hurdle-with-approval-by-downtown-development-review-board/

Lofts at Southbank clears final hurdle with approval by Downtown Development Review Board

After two years, multiple public meetings, dozens of critical comments from neighbors and hundreds of emails asking city decision-makers to squash it, a Southbank mixed-use development that includes self-storage has received a final go-ahead.

On Sept. 12, the Downtown Development Review Board voted 6-2 to grant final design approval for the Lofts at Southbank project.

Members Matt Brockelman, Peter Deiuliis, Kevin Craig, Carl Dawson Jr., Joanna Berling and Joseph Loretta voted yes, while board Chair Linzee Ott and member Ennis Davis voted no...

Davis, in explaining his no vote, said he felt the design did not meet a Downtown standard for facade design. The design standard is to “create architectural interest at the street level, enhance the urban character, and involve the pedestrian on the street with the adjacent building.

[thelakelander]

Thanks! I can shed a little light on this one now that it's through the DDRB. The use or inclusion of self storage in the building wasn't a concern as DDRB had no control over council's decision. I voted against final because I though it worse worse looking than the concept approved back in July. Primarily, the Home Street and Hendricks Avenue elevations. Home was a blank facade that was pretty bad at pedestrian level and Hendricks was Frankensteinish in appearance. My desire was that the same amount of focus applied to Prudential, be applied to Home and Hendricks. In my opinion, it didn't meet the design criteria we review by. Obviously, every member on the DDRB didn't think the same, hence the approval. Nevertheless, I have no hard feelings about the outcome. I actually wish the level this design team went through to make this project fit into the context, would have been taken with the LaVilla Daily's gas station last year.

[jcjohnpaint]

I hope the lack of progress on that site means it is dead. The Lavilla project is terrible on every level.