Architecture in Jacksonville and the Beaches earned 19 spots in the Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ “Top 100 Buildings” competition.
Downtown is well represented.
The Northbank includes City Hall at St. James Place, the Florida Life Building, The Florida Theatre Building, the former Haydon Burns Public Library and the Main Library on Laura Street.
The Chart House restaurant and Riverplace Tower on the Southbank also made the list.
Other Jacksonville buildings chosen are The Bolles School, Epping Forest Yacht Club, the University of North Florida Student Union, Riverside Baptist Church, the Unitarian Universalist Church and Westminster Woods, formerly Wesley Manor Retirement Village.
Architecture at the Beaches recognized on the list includes St. Paul’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Jacksonville Beach, the William Morgan House in Atlantic Beach and the Milam House and the Williamson Residence in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Three of the finalists are public buildings in Duval County.
“It’s an honor to have three City-owned buildings in the running for the AIA Florida 100 Years Celebration. For years, our St. James Building, Florida Theatre and Main Library have helped to define our Downtown for visitors and business professionals,” said Mayor Alvin Brown in a news release.
The contest is part of the association’s celebration of 100 years of architecture in Florida. In 1912 in Jacksonville, 42 architects met and founded the Florida Association of Architects.
Three years later, with the support of the local association, the State Board of Architects was created to regulate the profession.
In 1916, four architects passed the state’s first licensing examination. The profession in Florida has grown to more than 3,000 licensed architects.
All 100 buildings are competing in a statewide contest to be the No.1-ranked building in Florida. Visit www.aiafla.org by April 6 to view the complete list and vote for a building.
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