by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Add one more to the list of Downtown housing developments — the 218 W. Adams Lofts.
The historic building in the 200 block of West Adams Street will be converted into modern lofts and its 30 units will be for sale starting Nov. 30. The development is a joint venture between investor Albert Moreno and Celia Guillen of Absolut Financial Resources, Inc. in Miami and Jacksonville attorney David Trotti. Watson Realty is the broker and John Zona is the architect.
The seven-story building has five different floor plans ranging from 800 square feet to over 1,100 square feet. Prices will range from the low $200,000s to just over $300,000.
“We found out about this property through a fourth person in Jacksonville that we knew,” said Moreno. “We like Jacksonville and there really hasn’t been anything done about affordable housing in the urban core.”
Moreno added that many of the recent housing developments are along the river and there isn’t a lot of housing in the urban core.
“This is right where everything is,” he said. “We liked the size of the building — just 30 units. This will give us a good feel for how the market is.”
If it’s a success, Moreno said they will look into doing more developments like 218 W. Adams Lofts.
“We just want to get our feet wet in there,” said Moreno. “We love Duval County and we thought there was a lack of residences in Downtown Jacksonville.”
All of the lofts have wood floors and high ceilings. Moreno said ceilings range from 16 feet to 10 to 11 feet high.
“The floor plans are nice,” he said. “It is a true loft feeling with an industrial look to it.”
The building has a rooftop terrace with a lounge, exercise area and scenic views of the city. Each loft has 30 square feet of storage place. Owners will receive a complimentary one-year membership to Gold’s Gym and complimentary parking. Moreno said parking is prepaid for three years and it has been arranged for the tenants to park in the new courthouse parking garage about a block away.
The bottom floor is going to be left vacant until they find a tenant.
“Ideally, we’d like a restaurant, but nothing is official,” he said.
The 218 W. Adams Lofts will be a part of the Downtown Living Tour this weekend and they will officially open their doors on Nov. 30 for their invite only event.
“It’s a historic building with a lot of character,” said Moreno. “Jacksonville is the largest (city size-wise) and it is growing — that is what got us in there.”