Community First Credit Union is moving ahead with renovating the former Edgewood Bakery building it bought in October by applying for a permit at an estimated project cost of $3 million.
Auld & White Constructors LLC of Jacksonville is the contractor for the renovation at 1012 Edgewood Ave. S. for the credit union’s Murray Hill branch.
Jacksonville-based Community First intends to demolish 1,086 square feet of the primary building and renovate 4,628 square feet, adding drive-thru lanes, an outdoor plaza and other site improvements.
Community First Credit Union of Florida bought the 0.71-acre site and structure Oct. 11, 2024, for $1.675 million.
In a June 30 news release, Community First said it will renovate the building with a design that will make it “like no other branch in its (the credit union’s) network.”
Plans include a front lawn and social area, a community room and architectural features not usually seen at Community First’s branches. The exterior will have a permanent structure featuring a food offering.
The release stated that architecture and design teams are in the early stages of interior renovation, which includes some reconstruction. The project is on a timeline for completion in late 2026.
The city issued a permit Sept. 18 for Premier American Construction Inc. of Middleburg to start selective demolition at a project cost of $31,250 to prepare for renovations. TTV Architects Inc. of Jacksonville is the architect.
Coppola PR, which prepared the release, said interior work would commence once the permit is approved. The building will be managed by NAI Hallmark when completed.
Community First President and CEO Sam Inman said in the release that the credit union “intends to create a Murray Hill branch to fit in with the unique character of the Murray Hill retail corridor and serve members where they are.”
“We believe this key retail site in the corridor will enhance consumer traffic to the area, revitalizing this strategic corner which has been vacant and deteriorating for nine years.”
Community First says the design includes a one-story floor plan, a redesigned parking lot, a drive-thru and full exterior updates.
The interior will feature a mural depicting historical photos of the neighborhood, a common element in the credit union’s branches.
Restaurateur John Valentino through Pie High Real Estate Holdings LLC sold the building and grounds to Community First. He bought the property for $700,000 in 2016, the year Edgewood Bakery closed.
The property had been the Edgewood Bakery since 1947.
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s company Stache Investments bought it in 2015 before selling it to Valentino.
Community First identifies itself as one of the largest credit unions in Florida, with $2.8 billion in assets and 187,000 members. The institution operates in 23 locations and employs a workforce of more than 450 employees.