Inside the Abandoned Old Independent Life Building

[thelakelander]

Designed by KBJ Architects and completed in 1955, 233 West Duval Street’s days as downtown Jacksonville's tallest abandoned building appear coming to an end.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/inside-the-abandoned-old-independent-life-building/

[Kiva]

Nice view from the top. Would make a good bar/restaurant location. I know they were talking about restaurant, so I assume a bar is also in the plans.

[thelakelander]

$3 million grant for Independent Life renovation headed to City Council

A $3 million city grant for Augustine Development Group’s $30 million proposed renovation of Downtown’s historic Independent Life Building is moving to City Council.

The Mayor’s Budget Review Committee voted 7-0 on Oct. 26 to authorize legislation to offer the developer the grant through the Historic Downtown Preservation Trust Fund.

The Downtown Investment Authority unanimously approved the St. Augustine-based developer’s request June 17 for the project at 233 W. Duval St.

Full article: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/dollar3-million-grant-for-independent-life-renovation-headed-to-city-council

[MusicMan]

There's a big discrepancy in the articles between the number of market rate apartments. Which is it, 140 or 240?

"The developer plans to transform the tower, originally built for the Independent Life and Accident Insurance Company, into a mixed-use residential and retail project. The modern reinforced concrete building’s interior once dominated by the use of granite, limestone and marble finishes, the modern reinforced concrete building’s second through 18th floors are slated to become 240 market-rate apartments. In addition, Augustine Development intends to lease the building’s 21,000 square feet of ground floor retail space along Julia Street to an urban grocery store operator."

"The proposed $30 million renovation includes a 21,000-square-foot grocery store, 140 market-rate apartments, a parking garage and a 10,000-square-foot top-floor restaurant and executive sky lounge."