The Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Architects has selected 100 examples of architecture for a competition to determine the “top building” in the state as part of the organization’s centennial celebration.
Architects and the public are invited to cast ballots at aiafla.org. Voting closes April 6.
Voters can vote as many times and for as many buildings as they wish.
Seven of Downtown’s distinctive historic structures are in the running for the title. Downtown Today will highlight each of the neighborhood’s entries before the end of the contest.
• The Florida Life Building
• Built in 1912, designed by Henry John Klutho
Two of architect Henry John Klutho’s contributions to Jacksonville’s architectural heritage made the “Top 100 Buildings” list and both were completed 100 years ago.
Construction of the Florida Life Building at 117 N. Laura St. began two months after the start of Klutho’s St. James Building, but the 11-story structure was completed two months before the St. James Building.
The Florida Life Building is recognized for its Prairie School characteristics including the elaborate entryway.
Historian and author Wayne Wood said in his book, “Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage: Landmarks for the Future,” that the Florida Life Building epitomizes the definition of a skyscraper as defined by architect Louis Sullivan, who is considered the “father of the skyscraper.”
“It must be tall, every inch of it tall,” wrote Sullivan.
“It must be every inch a proud and soaring thing, rising in sheer exaltation,” he wrote.
Over the years, much of the detail that made the building remarkable has been lost due to age or demolition. While the original reinforced concrete structure is intact, the suspended glass canopy over the entrance and the ornate cornices and terra cotta scrollwork on the 11th floor are no longer on the building.
• The St. James Building
• Built in 1912, designed by Henry John Klutho
Now the seat of City government at 117 W. Duval St., the St. James Building received national attention when it was completed in 1912 and the building and Klutho were featured in the 1914 edition of “The Western Architect.”
Klutho was commissioned in 1910 by Jacob and Morris Cohen, owners of the Cohen Brothers Store, to design a department store building for property they had purchased.
Klutho believed the Cohens’ vision for a two-story structure was uninspired, so in addition to what they requested, he also submitted a design for a four-story structure that covered the entire block.
Klutho’s design consisted of small, privately owned retail shops around the first floor of the building, a huge department store in the center of the first floor and the entire second floor and two floors above of rentable office space.
When it opened, it was the largest building in Jacksonville and the 9th-largest department store in the U.S. With more than 3 million cubic feet of space, it is also the largest Prairie School-style building in the world.
The Cohen brothers operated there until their business was purchased by the May Department Stores Co. in 1985. It was the first of four May-Cohen department stores in the area and it closed in 1987 when the company moved operations to suburban malls.
In 1993, the City purchased the building and spent $24 million renovating it and restoring much of the original architecture. On Dec. 12, 1997, The St. James Building was dedicated as City Hall.
The Jacksonville Historical Society described the restored structure as “one of Jacksonville’s most monumental works of art.”
It called it “one of the most beautiful city halls in America.”
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