One of the oldest buildings in the Maxwell House production facility in Downtown Jacksonville was recently demolished by parent company Kraft Heinz.
The structure in Maxwell House’s complex at 735 E. Bay St. was built in 1926. It was the easternmost facility along East Bay Street just past a bridge over Hogans Creek.
“The building was no longer in use nor structurally sound; as such, we removed it,” a Kraft Heinz spokesperson wrote an emailed statement. “As of now, we don’t have anything planned for this property.”
Helena Parola, director of the city of Jacksonville’s Planning Department, wrote in a statement the property was not within a National Register Historic District, nor was it a locally designated historic landmark.
“While the subject structure, like many throughout Jacksonville, may be historic, the Historic Preservation Section (HPS) of the Planning Department has no authority to enforce a demolition delay or any further review since there are no National or Local historic designations associated with the property,” Parola wrote.
“Regardless of age, architectural style, or historical association, the HPS may not take action to prevent, pause, (or) limit the demolition of non-designated properties.”
The city issued a demolition permit Oct. 14, 2025, for the 20,656-square foot building. The project cost was $2,400.
“Demolition of warehouse structure and building slab,” the permit said. “Retaining walls to remain, backfilled and grassed for future employee rest area. This building has no sewer service.”
The building was one of three at Maxwell House’s facilities constructed before 1930. The others were built in 1924 and 1926, according to the Duval County Property Appraiser’s office.
“I’m going to look into how we can get organizations like San Marco Preservation, Jax Historical Society, SPAR, RAP and others notified so that we can have a community discussion before something like this happens again,” Michael McGowan said in an email to the Daily Record about the demolition.
McGowan is the vice chair of the city Planning Commission and a vice president at Chase Properties.
“We only have so many 100+ year old buildings in Jacksonville, and even less in such a prominent location that’s seen millions of passing residents, Jaguars fans, concert goers, and many more. What a beautiful restaurant, retail, office or hotel rehab this could have been!”
