Downtown Jacksonville

An urban lifestyle, the St. Johns River and a truly unique skyline are all part of living in downtown Jacksonville - the geographic center of 1.2 million people and the hub of the Northeast Florida business community. Downtown is home to two of Jacksonville's Fortune 500 headquarters, and more than seven million square feet of commercial space play host to some of the largest employers in the city.

Over the last few years, nearly half a billion dollars in new investment has taken place downtown - with another $2.2 billion in construction under way or proposed.

Urban living is taking hold in the downtown area. Nearly 1,500 housing units have been completed since 2001 and there are an additional 690 units under construction and nearly 3,000 new units proposed for development.

With the magnificent St. Johns River as a backdrop, the densest area of infrastructure in the City, and a wide array of workday and business conveniences, downtown Jacksonville represents the premier business address of the First Coast.

Downtown Jacksonville Condominiums

From the unique skyline to the magnificent St. Johns River to the weekly city market, the central business district provides a great backdrop for downtown resident. But the best views of downtown are enjoyed by those who live in some of downtown Jacksonville's high-rise luxury condominiums on either side of the river.

The recently completed Peninsula offers one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury riverfront condominiums priced from the low $300's to the mid-$800's, with penthouses priced from $1 million and up. Experience downtown Jacksonville's elite riverfront living. A full health and fitness club, gorgeous swimming pool and beautiful residents' center, offer great amenities for condo owners. The Peninsula is located on the south bank of the St. Johns River with dynamic views of the downtown skyline.

The Plaza Condominiums, located along the St. Johns River at 400 E. Bay Street, is a 22-story, 198-unit high-rise tower that offers many amenities as well including a swimming pool and a private parking garage with rooftop tennis courts, sun deck and gardens. The community features Mediterranean architecture and lush landscaping.

Others high rise condo developments include San Marco Place, situated on the south bank of the St. Johns River, which has been skillfully designed to maximize the sweeping views of the St. Johns River and the city skyline from each condominium and balcony. Priced from the $300,000 and up, San Marco Place has affordable, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floor plans, along with town homes and penthouses all with balconies.

Other downtown condos include The Residences at City Place and Berkman Plaza I and II, located on Bay Street on the north bank area of downtown Jacksonville.

Single Family Homes in Downtown Jacksonville

From older, established neighborhoods to new residential areas, homes in downtown Jacksonville offer a wide variety of architectural design, size and price range.

The revitalization of the urban area downtown was spurred by the construction of the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, the Jacksonville Veteran's Memorial Arena and the Jacksonville Baseball Grounds www.jaxevents.com - with more activity generated when Jacksonville played host city to Super Bowl IXXX in 2005.

While most of the new housing development in the central business district has been the construction of condominiums, lofts and town homes, more residential development has been under way in several areas adjacent to downtown Jacksonville.

One of those areas includes Springfield, which was established in 1869 and is considered Jacksonville's first and oldest neighborhood. The area is located on the north side of Jacksonville and offers a wealth of interesting sites, including the Karpeles Manuscript Museum http://www.rain.org/~karpeles/ and Confederate Park. And as an historic district, the area also offers turn-of-the-century homes in a variety of architectural styles. Contact the Springfield Preservation & Revitalization Council, Inc. (SPAR) www.sparcouncil.org for more information on redevelopment in the area - and an overview of the housing available in Springfield.

Old World charm and modern style come together in San Marco, an enchanting neighborhood filled with Spanish-style architecture located on the south bank of the St. Johns River. The heart of San Marco is marked by Balis Park and three sculpted lions that guard the town square. Fashioned after the famous St. Mark's Square in Venice, San Marco Square is filled with upscale shopping and eateries, and is home to Theatre Jacksonville, America's longest running community theatre. For more information on housing in the San Marco area can be found at the San Marco Preservation Society.

Jacksonville's largest historic districts, and one of the country's largest historic districts as well, is located just west of downtown in the Riverside/Avondale area. This area serves as home to the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens www.cummer.org, which features Italian and English gardens. Tree-lined St. Johns Avenue attracts a hip crowd with its antique stores, art galleries and cafes, while the funkier Five Points draws Gen-Xers to its restaurants, art galleries and vintage clothiers. For more information about the sights and sounds of the area, visit the Riverside Avondale Preservation Association.

Downtown Jacksonville Nightlife and Entertainment

Whether it's walking to work, taking a short stroll to major sporting events, or jumping on the JTA Trolley Bus to visit your favorite restaurant, there are a lot of things to do in downtown Jacksonville. Downtown Jacksonville marries the best of small town comforts and big city excitement.

River views, city life, Southern culture and cosmopolitan cuisine make Downtown Jacksonville an ideal place for a distinguished array of cultural events. Enjoy a visit to one of Downtown's unique destinations, including exquisite museums like the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), stimulating theatre at the historic Florida Theatre, and outdoor festivals, concerts, and exhibitions.

Downtown Jacksonville is also home to some of the area's best restaurants - whether you're looking for a night of fine dining or just a great burger at lunch. Chill out Downtown with a glass of wine at the Grotto in San Marco or heat up the night with great dancing and drink specials at Downtown's newest club, the Dive Bar. If you're looking for a great steak, check out the Plaza III Steakhouse at the Hyatt Regency, which offers only USDA Prime Steaks and the best cooking this side of Kansas City.

Or, you can party in the Urb Garden at the Burrito Gallery, get your groove on at The Twisted Martini, or kick your heels up at Mavericks - downtown's newest cowboy club downtown

Looking for the live music scene? Check out Rock n' Roll Pizza at Thee Imperial for the hottest acts in Northeast Florida, or kick back with a drink and some appetizers and enjoy free live music at The Jacksonville Landing www.jacksonvillelanding.com.

If you're looking for something a little more laid back, head to De Real Ting Cafe for reggae on Fridays and Saturdays, or grab a pint and wind up a top for a game of skittles at London Bridge Eatery & Pub. Or, if you are full of interesting tidbits and little known facts, head to Trivia Challenge Thursday at Mudville Grill.

Whether its food, the arts, sporting events or a great performance, downtown Jacksonville certainly offers a variety of activities to choose from - and offers an easy urban environment you can get used to as a downtown resident.

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