Special to Realty/Builder Connection
As construction progresses at the new riverfront community of 1616 River Road in historic San Marco, architectural details are starting to come to light.
1616 River Road is in the midst of Jacksonville’s historic San Marco neighborhood and is being developed by Charles Atkerson.
“This property could have been developed as one larger structure along the river, but we thought it would best be served by two buildings that were more in keeping with the residential scale of San Marco,” said Atkerson.
His vision for Mediterranean Revival-style riverfront condominiums is right in line with what the area’s first families created in the 1920s, which also included Mission-style and Spanish Colonial.
Kevin Gray of Gray and Byram Architects was selected to design 1616 River Road. While Gray has designed multi-family communities, he specializes in designing high-end, single family homes. Atkerson, who has worked with Gray for over 10 years, says he’s pleased with Gray’s design and attention to detail.
“We wanted this to feel like multi-million dollar homes — every element that we would typically put in one of the homes you would find on the ocean or the finer communities, Charles wanted that and more,” Gray said.
Offering six residences in two riverfront buildings — two flats, two town homes and two 3,800-plus square-foot penthouses, — 1616 River Road is designed to reflect the historic nature of San Marco.
Architectural details stay true with other San Marco landmarks such as the famed Swisher Estate.
Project manager Colleen Riley said that the building will have a stucco exterior, tiled roofing, detailed overhangs, extensive ironwork and decorative cartouches.
The only deviation from the Mediterranean themed community can be found on the screened lanais.
“We looked at several types of railing but, as we were sitting inside the building looking out, we realized we would lose our view with certain railings,” said Gray. “Instead we implemented stainless steel cable railings—it’s almost transparent to the eye.”
1616 River Road also offers impact resistant windows and sliding glass doors as well as exterior walls constructed of reinforced masonry. Four-inch thick concrete-poured floors add to the safety of the two buildings.
“What isn’t concrete in this building is steel,” Atkerson added.
The low maintenance community caters to the sophisticated buyer, according to Atkerson. “Buyers do not want to tend to the yard or be bothered with other exterior maintenance but they wanted all of the luxury. We took what we felt the prudent, upscale buyer would want in their home and we made it standard.”
Interior accouterments include foyers with stepped tray ceilings, monorail lighting, gallery-inspired hallways, varied niches and alcoves throughout, as well as wood, stone and other high-end countertops and flooring finishes. Additionally, raised panel cabinetry in maple and cherry are also standard. The kitchen has a Wolf wall oven, microwave and gas cooktop. The refrigerator is a 42-inch Subzero. The kitchen is rounded out with a warming drawer and wine chiller.
A 165-foot curvilinear riverwalk will serve as a gathering space near the planned boat slips.
Pricing starts at $990,000.