by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
The 11 E. Forsyth lofts take the spotlight Saturday when the SunTrust Symphony/ASID Showhouse XXVIII opens. The showhouse is Jacksonville Symphony Guild’s largest fundraiser of the year.
“Every year, we’ve always done a house out in the suburbs,” recalled event co-chair Sue Ashby. “With downtown renovations and trying to build downtown Jacksonville, this just seemed like a good idea.”
ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers, gathered 29 designers from the region to make over the top two floors into six loft apartments.
“They feel it’s the best ever,” said Ashby, regarding the sentiments of the designers.
“I feel this has raised the bar for design in Florida,” said designer Heidi Hall-Jones from ASID.
Adjacent to the lofts on the penthouse level will be a boutique with gift shop merchandise provided by Hilz Interiors.
Built in 1926, it was the second tallest building at that time. The lobby and exterior of the structure, formerly known as the Lynch Building, have been restored to their original style. The remainder of the edifice has been modernized and split into 127 living units, 18 of which are occupied.
“They’re calling it urban contemporary with a historical motif,” said building manager June Conner. Work remains on certifying the occupancy for certain floors.
There are several rooms in the top level lofts being decorated, so the design work was split between the teams.
“It takes several designers for each loft,” said event co-chair Sandy Borntraeger.
The adjoining parking garage was slated to be ready for the showhouse event but because of inclement weather and City street closures from unrelated construction, it is still under construction, but should be complete in April. Attendees can park at the Jacksonville Center Parking Garage across from Independent Square.
Volunteers will be upstairs providing tours of the lofts, boutique and club room on the ground floor. The showhouse will be open every day through April 6. Every weekday, experts on varying topics regarding real property will be giving lectures in the club room. Ticket holders can hear advice on polishing silver, outdoor lighting, tile designs, feng shui, estate sales, water gardens, selecting decorators and honing up on art. Emily Lisska from the Jacksonville Historical Society will be giving a talk on downtown Jacksonville in the 1920s as well.
“The lectures can apply to almost anybody,” said Borntraeger.
“On Thursday, lectures will be given by individual designers,” added Ashby. “We try to get a variety [of speakers] to interest people and maybe draw them downtown.”
Art and authors will be present on the weekend for viewing and book signing. Select art shows will touch on jewelry, pottery, glass, hand painted furniture, sculpture and mixed media hanging art. April 5, 15 appraisers will be at 11 E. for the showhouse road show, similar to the television program, “Antique Roadshow.”
“I think we’ll draw people from all over town,” said Ashby. “We have a following that comes to the show every year.”
“We have about 1,500 volunteers each year,” said Borntraeger. “Last year we had two houses. Sometimes we had 900 a day.”
“Ten thousand would be wonderful,” added Ashby.
In addition to benefiting the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, a portion of the proceeds from the showhouse will go to ASID, who in turn donate to the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless.