by David Chapman
Staff Writer
There’s a reason Russ Ervin, Steve Lovett and Tim Miller moved their architecture, landscape architecture, planning and urban design firm to San Marco and along the way, revamped their building’s style.
“We believe in the nature of urban infrastructure,” said Lovett. “We wanted to be a part of the fabric of Downtown.”
So they took on the task of renovating a vacant one-story building off Kings Avenue into what is now a two-story office studio full of the qualities they work with for their clients.
“We love the building,” said Miller. “It’s within walking distance to many of the shops and restaurants in San Marco and you can see Downtown, too.”
The interior of the building “has no walls” as Miller affectionately puts it, with open workspaces occupying the vast majority of both floors. Doing so allows for ample communication, he said, that leads to more “open” relationships among coworkers.
One of their neighbors is the Kings Avenue Skyway Station, and it’s not usually a noisy neighbor — but when it is, the group enjoys it, they said, as it adds to the urban atmosphere.
Even in uncertain economic times, the group is succeeding in part due to a steady longtime client base and a decision that in hindsight was a correct one, said Lovett.
“We work in niches,” explained Lovett. “We’re a staff of 10 people and resisted the opportunity to grow to as many as 40 people when the times were good ... now we’re still doing well and have some really good clients.”
As for the future, Lovett said they are optimistic about how business will progress and continue to provide their services for clients, including design projects in Ponte Vedra Beach and several aspects of the Nocatee Community Park in St. Johns County.
And the surrounding San Marco and Downtown areas? They like the direction many residents and businesses are taking.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Miller.
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