In June 2020, the Jacksonville Historical Society announced plans to convert the former Florida Casket Company building into a space celebrating Jacksonville’s role in music with a new museum and performance venue dedicated to the musical heritage.

Built in 1882 Florida Casket Company building is located adjacent to the Old St. Luke’s Hospital building at 318 Palmetto Street, just east of Hogans Creek in the Sports & Entertainment District.

Seeking final approval by the Downtown Development Review Board on August 11, 2022, the lastest plans show the existing three story brick structure being expanded and renovated, with the music museum occupying the on the 4,900 square foot first floor. The building’s existing second floor would be utilized as an archive and research area. A new second floor addition would include a catering kitchen. The third floor would be decided as an event space. Restrooms would be added as a new addition on the first and third floors.

On the south elevation, former window openings that have been filled by brick would be replaced with display panels for banners and murals announcing events. A new entrance and canopy would be added as well.

Plans indicate the building’s three-story additions having stucco exteriors. Proposed site improvements include the creation of a new exvent patio and landscape islands added to the existing surface parking lot. Here is a look at the proposed project. Take a look and let us know what you think!

GENERAL INFORMATION DDRB

Application 2022-010 seeks Final Approval for the renovation of a three-story, brick building and a three-story addition to both the west and east building façades. The structure, referred to as the Florida Casket Factory Company building, was constructed circa 1882 and is a locally designated landmark. The exterior of the building is a “common brick” finish, with approximately 15,200 square feet of gross interior area. The additions and alterations are necessary to support the mixed-use renovation of the building, which includes a museum, document archival and venue space.

The exterior materials of the additions are CMU (concrete masonry units, i.e. block) with stucco finish, a design choice selected to differentiate the existing historic structure (brick) from the proposed additions.

As shown by the Google Map screenshots below, the East Duval Street ramp borders the north side of the building; the former Hart Bridge ramps borders the south and west property lines; and the historic St. Luke’s Hospital abuts the building to the east (note: both the historic St. Lukes Hospital and the Florida Casket Factory Company buildings are owned by the Jacksonville Historical Society).

In 1998, via Ordinance 1998-0920 the City designated both the Florida Casket Company and the St. Luke’s Hospital buildings as historic landmarks. As landmarked buildings, renovations, improvements and modifications, including additions, require approval by the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission (JHPC). On June 22, 2022, the JHPC recommended approval with conditions (appended to this report).

Existing Site Plan

Existing South Elevation

Existing Elevations

Proposed Site Plan

Proposed Floor Plans

Proposed South Elevation

Proposed North, East and West Elevations

Proposed Building Sections

Proposed Materials Colors

AUGUST 11, 2022 DDRB MEETING INFORMATION

TIME

2:00 PM

PHYSICAL LOCATION

Jacksonville Public Library-Main Library/Downtown 303 North Laura Street Multipurpose Room (located in the Conference Center) Jacksonville, Florida 32202

VIRTUAL LOCATION

https://zoom.us/j/98596868344?pwd=bFJ1UEhrMmJ2SGNoKzNCdndzTmZLdz09 Meeting ID: 985 9686 8344 Passcode: 698693

VIEW FULL MEETING AGENDA PACKET HERE

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