by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
Renovations on the Hutchinson-Suddath Building, located at 315-319 E. Bay St., are well on their way. The building will be the future home to a high-end night club, said building owner Julia Suddath.
The building’s renovators and night club designers started interior planning Wednesday for the first and second floors of the building.
“We’re hoping the renovations will be completed by the middle of May,” said Suddath. “It will give (the club) plenty of time to get going before the Super Bowl.”
There are also plans to put a small theater on the building’s third floor.
According to Paul Weaver of Historic Property Associates, the company who helped secure a historical landmark designation for the property, original plans for filling the building’s space included restaurants, lofts and a roof-top deck.
“No restaurants will be going in because the night club wanted the first and second floors,” said Suddath, “and this is a first come, first serve thing.”
Plans for a rooftop deck were also pushed aside.
“We thought about it, but it was cost prohibitive. It was a lot of money for a small amount of space,” said Suddath.
Estimated costs for the deck were $300,000 for a 3,000 square-foot space.
The building was built in 1910 by the Jacksonville architects Alfred McClure and George E. Holmes. It was purchased by Suddath Moving and Storage Co., in 1931 and was used for storage until three years ago.
Plans to develop the building began when the City began planning the Bay Street Town Center District.