The architecture of Jacksonville is a combination of historic and modern styles reflecting the city's early position as a regional center of business. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, there are more buildings built before 1967 in Jacksonville than any other city in Florida,[1] though few structures in the city center predate the Great Fire of 1901.[2] Numerous buildings in the city have held state height records, dating as far back as 1902,[3] and last holding a record in 1981.[4]
Prominent architects
Contributing heavily during the reconstruction period following the Great Fire of 1901, a young New York architect named Henry John Klutho would come to influence generations of local designers. Klutho's works exhibit elements influenced by both the Chicago School, championed by Louis Sullivan, and the Prairie School of architecture, popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright. As a result, Jacksonville has one of the largest collections of Prairie Style buildings outside the Midwest.[5]
By the 1950s, modernist design principles would permeate throughout the United States, transforming the rapidly growing State of Florida.[6] During this period, local architects Robert C. Broward, Taylor Hardwick, and William Morgan adapted a range of design principles, including International style, Brutalism, Futurism and Organicism, all applied with an American interpretation generally referred to today as Mid-century modern design.[7] The architecture firms of Reynolds, Smith & Hills (RS&H)[8] and Kemp, Bunch & Jackson (KBJ) have also contributed a number of important works to the city's modern architectural movement. In particular, KBJ has designed more buildings in the contemporary skyline of Jacksonville than any other architectural firm. Of the 30 tallest buildings in the city, 17 are associated with KBJ.[9] With the notable exception of works by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, Welton Becket, Paul Rudolph, and Helmut Jahn, many of Jacksonville's modern landmarks were designed locally.
The Great Fire of 1901 consumed much of central Jacksonville, leaving thousands homeless, and simultaneously sparked a significant period of growth lasting up until the end of the Florida Land Boom. Springfield, Riverside, Avondale, Eastside, Oakland and Fairfield had been platted and annexed into the city prior to the fire, and experienced much of the related growth after the disaster. Architect Henry John Klutho would become a popular figure in the reconstruction of Jacksonville, contributing his designs to many of the new structures, including dwellings. Built in 1902, The Thomas V. Porter House is a Classical Revival and Colonial Revival style mansion designed by Klutho. He is better known for his works in the Prairie School style of architecture. His own home, Henry John Klutho House, is a prime example. The architecture firm of Marsh & Saxelbye would also establish itself during this period of growth. In 1925, the firm designed the Tudor Revival style Lane-Towers House. More famously, Epping Forest, completed in 1927, is a Spanish Colonial Revival style mansion designed by Marsh & Saxelbye.
Following World War II, suburbs rapidly developed throughout the United States, due in large part to the rise of personal automobile ownership. Following the opening of the Mathews Bridge, Arlington would become the most important of these developments locally. This period also coincided with the popularization of Modern design in architecture. Designed by Robert C. Broward, the Butterfly House was completed in 1957 in the Arlington neighborhood. Its design elements, including the butterfly wing shaped roof, are sometime more broadly categorized today as Mid-century modern design.[10] The Jacksonville Beaches also host a number of modern homes built during this period. Famed architect Paul Rudolph designed the iconic Milam House in 1961, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. William Morgan designed the Williamson House in 1966, and his own home, Morgan House, in 1974. Both are located on the beach.[11]
Jacksonville is home to a variety of museums of varied styles. Completed in 1921, the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum is a Classical Revival building originally constructed for the Church of Christian Scientist. It was designed by the local architecture firm Marsh & Saxelbye. Also designed by Marsh & Saxelbye, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville was originally built in 1931 for the Western Union Telegraph Company, and stands as one of Jacksonville's best examples of Art Deco in architecture.[29] Another example of Art Deco is the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Completed in 1961, the fine arts museum was designed by Saxelby & Powell. Constructed in 1965, the Jacksonville Art Museum was predecessor of what is now the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville. Designed by Taylor Hardwick, the building is located in the Midtown Centre office complex. Originally built in 1969 as the Jacksonville Children's Museum, William Morgan's Brutalist designed museum currently houses the Museum of Science and History.
^"The rich history of Jacksonville - the one you probably didn't know about". J Magazine. Florida Times-Union. December 17, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
^"Distinguish Jacksonville: The Great Fire of 1901". Metro Jacksonville. January 6, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
^Ennis Davis (March 6, 2008). "A Century of Florida's Tallest Skyscrapers". Metro Jacksonville. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
^"Wells Fargo Center, Jacksonville". Emporis. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^Wayne W. Wood. "Jacksonville's Lost Treasures". Prairie School Traveler. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
^Lesa Lorusso. "Identifying American Architectural Styles: Midcentury Modern". Florida Preservationist. Florida Historical Society. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
^"When Does Modern Architecture Become Historic?". Jacksonville Historical Society. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
^Ennis Davis (April 12, 2012). "The Premature Destruction of Downtown Jacksonville". Urban Issues. Metro Jacksonville. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
^Jessie-Lynne Kerr (January 24, 2008). "Architect transformed city waterfront". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
^Reynolds, Tiffanie. "Broward's 'Butterfly House' restored to former glory". Jacksonville.com. Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 7 February 2018.
^"University of Florida honors architect William Morgan with a Lifetime Achievement Award". Jacksonville.com. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
^"Historic Properties in Jacksonville: John Gorrie Junior High: A school, a home". jaxhistory.org. Jacksonville Historical Society. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l"Shaping Downtown Jacksonville's Skyline". kbj.com. KBJ Architects. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
^"Groover-Stewart Drug Company Building". digitalcommons.unf.edu. University of North Florida. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
^"Schultz Building". digitalcommons.unf.edu. University of North Florida. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
^"Levy Building". digitalcommons.unf.edu. University of North Florida. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
^"Hildebrandt Building". digitalcommons.unf.edu. University of North Florida. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
^"Greenleaf and Crosby Building". digitalcommons.unf.edu. University of North Florida. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
^"Prudential Insurance Company of America – South Central Home Office Retrofit Project". KBJ Architects. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
^"Modis". KBJ Architects. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
^"Prudential Insurance Company of America – South Central Home Office Operations Center". KBJ Architects. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
^"American Heritage Life Insurance Co. – Corporate Headquarters". KBJ Architects. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
^Metro Jacksonville
^"Henrietta Dozier (1872-1947)". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
^"Former Post Office and Federal Courthouse". digitalcommons.unf.edu. University of North Florida. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
^"United States Courthouse". KBJ Architects. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
^"Duval County Courthouse". KBJ Architects. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
^"J. Henry Gooding Building". Historic Campus Architecture Project. Council of Independent Colleges. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
^"Western Union Telegraph Building (MOCA)". digitalcommons.unf.edu. University of North Florida. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
^"Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places". American Institute of Architects Florida. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
Further reading
Wood, Wayne W., Davis, Judy (1989). Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage: Landmarks for the Future. University Press of Florida. ISBN 0-8130-0953-7