New Emerald C’s headquarters: ‘It’s a hidden treasure’

All in at $1.53 million, Brittany and Jesse Culbreth bought and built-out their new headquarters in Talleyrand for Emerald C’s Development Inc. and intend to celebrate a grand opening Aug. 12 before the first Jacksonville Jaguars preseason home game.

It’s a short walk to TIAA Bank Field from Emerald C’s at 1750 E. Duval St., and the stadium dominates the skyline from the company’s second-floor deck.

The Culbreths searched for a new headquarters for their general contracting firm, which focuses on interior build-outs.

They found it in Talleyrand, an industrial area east of the stadium.

“We came across this property and saw it had the potential to be something great,” company co-owner and President Brittany Culbreth said in April 2021.

“It’s a very friendly neighborhood,” she said July 21 from the completed offices on the second floor of the two-story building.

“We’re friends with everybody around here. It’s a hidden treasure.”

Through 1750 E. Duval LLC, the Culbreths paid $750,000 on March 24, 2021, for a vacant two-story, 8,000-square-foot office structure that includes the 1,500-square-foot upper patio deck, and a separate 6,500-square-foot warehouse that will be leased to a new tenant.

Both buildings were developed in 1955.

Jesse Culbreth, vice president and co-owner, said the deal was financed by the SBA through Florida First Capital Finance Corp. and Center State Bank.

The property is next to the colorful Toon Town Jax building, an arts and event space covered with cartoon murals.

The Culbreths renovated by building-out offices on the top floor and positioning the ground floor as private company event space. 

“It’s been a labor of love,” said Brittany Culbreth.

Their employees comprise four in the office, including the Culbreths, and 11 in the field.

A custom steel stairway and railings by Eligius Metal Works, with wood stair treads by Old Town Timber leads from emerald inlaid resin at the top to deep blue water at the bottom.

A Jacksonville and Jaguars-themed mural by artist Natalie Milko wraps the building.

The Culbreths said they started renovations at the end of June 2021 and moved in March 2022.

They and subcontractors performed the work.

They also said construction price increases boosted costs. Brittany Culbreth said every month saw a 10% increase.

“I would order everything I could to get here fast,” she said. Then they found that some orders face retroactive price increases.

In renovating the now 67-year-old building, they appreciated seeing the 1950s kitchen area with canary yellow accents and vintage appliances for a previous resident.

The design team includes Thomas Duke Architect, Micamy Design Studio and Fortress Engineering Group.

Other subcontractors include Antique & Modern Cabinets, Accu-Air Cooling Service, Rinkwell Plumbing, Dixie Contract Carpet, Munson & Bryan Electric Co., North Florida Glass, Savage Brothers Inc. industrial and commercial painting, KirbyCo Builders Inc., contractor John Lippens, Hollywood Decks, Model City Roofing and several more.

The building’s previous uses include construction maintenance and accounting firms, but had been vacant since it flooded during Hurricane Irma in 2017.

The Culbreths bought the 0.9-acre property from Talleyrand Properties Inc., led by John Ferlisi.

Emerald C’s previously leased 3,700 square feet of suburban space at 8400 Baymeadows Way in Baymeadows Business Park.

The couple started the company in 2010. It specializes in interior build-out projects, serving corporate/office, health care, industrial, production, education, recreation and retail.

Both are University of Florida graduates.

The company name stems from its Emerald Coast roots and C’s from the Culbreth family name.

Their families have lived in the Florida Panhandle and South Alabama region for more than a century.