by David Chapman
Staff Writer
John Gorrie Junior High School once had children roaming its halls. Soon it will have residents.
Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, owners of the Jacksonville Jaguars, purchased the historic Riverside school, in February 2009 from an auction after the facility continued to pique their interest during their many walks around the neighborhood.
The school building was built in 1923 and entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It was in disrepair and needed much work. But Delores Weaver said they both fell in love with its history and architecture and sought to transform it into a livable community that retained its history.
“It’s got great old bones,” she said.
A two-and-a-half year of investment and sweat equity by the longtime philanthropic duo has resulted in The John Gorrie a condominium, a 68-unit building with residences ranging from 800-1,800 square feet each that have already begun selling.
The hard part that included asbestos removal, reinforcing the structure and repairing the roof, is over said Delores Weaver. Much time and much investment later, it was time to get down to some of the dirty details themselves. Delores Weaver admitted she’s cleaned the toilets of all 68 units herself and Wayne Weaver has done some heavy lifting to get the place in shape. For her, it meant several weekdays at the building along with weekends.
Now, for her, it’s been the fun part: decorating different areas of the building with reminders of the buildings past, much of it original.
As for the units themselves, none are really the same.
“They’re all so different,” she said, “but each one has its own personality.”
One unit, a two-story townhome even has the original stage flooring from the school’s auditorium still intact.
The units are selling from the low $100,000s to just more than $300,000 and the curiosity factor has been high, she said. The demand to see inside led to a planned historic tour of the facility Aug. 13 to benefit HabiJax and the Riverside Avondale Preservation.
The transformation has been a challenge, said Delores Weaver, in terms of time, effort and funding and if she had to do it again she admitted she likely wouldn’t.
But, looking back at the work and knowing residents will soon be calling it home, she is pleased with the results.
“It’s taken some time but I’m really proud of the way it’s turned out,” said Delores Weaver. “I’m happy.”
For more information on the project and residences, go to www.thejohngorrie.com.