by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Berkman Plaza II’s footprint is set. Work began on the tower recently, and pilings are being driven. The 23-story, 222-unit tower is scheduled to be complete by late 2008.
The footprint of the second plaza is similar to the first, but the second has two new deeper floor plans, for a total of 13 floor plan options; the largest being a three bedroom, two and a half bath penthouse with 3,326 square feet. Penthouses have a price tag of $815,000 to $995,000.
Most of the units face the St. Johns River and there is no commercial space in the building. There is, however, salon space in the first tower and the Shipyards project next door promises retail outlets.
One of the biggest selling points, according to Berkman Plaza II’s Sales Manager Ed Bonneau, is Berkman’s pricing.
“There is no other waterfront high-rise condominium on Downtown Jacksonville that presents the value Berkman Plaza II offers,” he said. “It’s the least expensive with one of the best views.”
Home owner association fees are also reasonable, he said, at 34 cents per square foot.
Studio condos start at 640 square feet and pricing begins at $170,00, but there isn’t one with a river view. According to Bonneau, they all face the jail, what he calls Downtown’s other “gated community.”