| Duval County: Communities | |
| Source: Florida Times-Union 2007 | |
| Argyle Becoming a city of its own Argyle, a family-friendly community of homes, schools and businesses close to Jacksonville Naval Air Station and Interstate 295, has evolved from the farmlands it once was. Since its inception in the early 1980s, the area, which includes part of Clay County, continues to be a hot spot for affordable housing. New subdivisions have spurred the growth of stores and services to the area, including street lane expansions and additional public services. A potentially long commute from Argyle to work and school has been alleviated with the opening of Branan Field-Chaffee Road, which connects Blanding Boulevard near Middleburg in Clay County with Interstate 10 near Whitehouse. This is expected to further stimulate development. An established portion of Argyle is Chimney Lakes, consisting of 1,677 homes in 24 separate subdivisions. The property boasts 14 lakes, a recreation center, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a swimming pool, basketball courts, horseshoes facility and a covered pavilion. A white gazebo on scenic Twin Lakes is a popular place for residents' parties and weddings. Arlington From its earliest days of settlements during the Spanish ownership of Florida, Arlington - the community west of the Regency Square shopping area and north of Beach Boulevard - has played an important role in Jacksonville's housing history. During the 1800s, lumber and grist mills were established and, after the Civil War, more homes were constructed. It also was the site of religious colonies and a popular railroad line. Starting in 1950 and assisted by the opening of the Mathews Bridge in 1953, Arlington was the fastest growing area in Duval County for the next 20 years. Arlington has since mushroomed far beyond its original boundaries. Real estate professionals familiar with the area see a renewed interest in some of the older homes, especially those with waterfront property. Some of these homes date back to the early 1900s. Atlantic Beach Stretching only about 25 blocks from north to south, Atlantic Beach is a closed-end community of about 14,000 with a neighborhood feeling. The town center, near the landmark Sea Turtle Inn, is a popular gathering point with many quaint eateries and boutiques. Atlantic Beach has plenty of parks with opportunities for a variety of activities such as tennis, racquetball, basketball, baseball and nature hikes, as well as playground equipment. In addition, the Bull Recreational Area houses the Atlantic Beach Experimental Theater, which puts on six to eight productions a year. Many Atlantic Beach residents work in the Jacksonville downtown or the Southpoint area, both a 30- to 45-minute commute depending on the traffic. Community activities are an important part of the Atlantic Beach lifestyle. Popular events include the Farmer's Market, the annual Dancin' in the Streets festival in mid-May, which includes live bands, arts, crafts and food; a Christmas festival; and parent-and-children camp outs in the city park several times' a year. Although part of the greater Jacksonville municipality, Atlantic Beach has its own mayor, city council, police and fire departments. Baldwin Baldwin, a town of 1,600 in extreme western Duval County north of Interstate 10, was named for Dr. A. S. Baldwin, who led the successful fight to bring the railroad to the area. Beaver Street, once known as the Old Spanish Trail, almost bisects Baldwin. There's easy access to 1-10 and to U.S. Highway 301 and Jacksonville International Airport is 25 miles away. Although Baldwin has had its own government, fire and police departments, the town council voted to disband its 17-member police force in December 2005. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is scheduled to take over services in March 2006. Baldwin is the end point of the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, a 14.5-mile trail system for hikers, in-line skaters, bicyclists and horseback riders. The trail runs between Imeson Road and County Road 121, just past Baldwin. Bayard Bayard, off U.S. Highway 1 at the deep southern end of Duval County, was founded in the 1800s to serve nearby sawmills and turpentine plants. Named for a member of President Grover Cleveland's Cabinet, Thomas Francis Bayard, it was a stopping point for wagons, coaches and Florida East Coast railroad trains headed between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Now, it's a quiet, quaint place and a stopping point for shoppers who crave garage sale-type bargains at a popular antique village. Legend has it that the village was once a redlight district. Bayard is surrounded by development, but is still definitely country. It is a short drive to The Avenues mall and the Best Bet at St. Johns Greyhound Park, where horse and dog races are simulcast. In addition, State Road 9A, which loops around Jacksonville, connects to U.S. 1 by Bayard, while 9B is also expected to connect to U.S. 1 just south of Bayard in the next decade. Also close to the area, Baptist Medical Center South, a high-tech state-of-the-art hospital at the southeast comer of Interstate 95 and St. Augustine Road. Baymeadows On any given day you might find families looking for starter homes, empty-nesters scaling down in house size or growing families moving up in square footage. The many apartments mean that Baymeadows is often the choice of singles who have just moved to the city. The landscape is a mix of mature trees and large yards with the conveniences of city living. You don't have to go far to get to the places you need to go, but you still have the feeling that you live among nature With Southside Boulevard and an easy connection to Interstate 95 from Baymeadows Road, residents can be downtown in 20-25 minutes - if traffic isn't heavy (popularity of the area has brought increasing traffic tieups). Nearby are The Avenues mall, Deerwood Village Mall and St. Johns Town Center, an open-air mall with many stores and restaurants new to the area. The area has a range of home types and prices, including patio homes, condominiums, townhouses and single family homes. Many neighborhoods include amenities such as tennis courts, playground equipment, pools, security gates, soccer fields and parks. While traffic congestion can get frustrating at times, road improvements have occurred. Baymeadows Road has been widened and the interchange of Florida 9A, Interstate 95 and Interstate 295 was completed in 2005. Beauclerc Straddling the eastern bank of the St. Johns River at one of its widest points and nestled between Mandarin, San Jose and Baymeadows lies Beauclerc, an idyllic, tree-lined neighborhood conveniently located with easy access to greater Jacksonville. Sections of the neighborhood have developed an overhanging canopy, with the branches of trees on opposite sides of the roadway interlocking high above and providing a shaded pathway for residents and cars. The area's larger lots translate into homes with more floor space and bigger yards, some encompassing more than half an acre. Though many homes date from the 1970s, most homeowners have steadily updated interiors, giving most properties a modern touch with few renovations needed. Home styles range from traditional to contemporary to colonial, the variety of architecture stemming from the many different builders who constructed homes over the years. Many houses feature brick construction. Beauclerc is centrally located to shopping areas; proximity to Interstate 295 allows residents access to many other parts of the city. The St. Johns River marks the neighborhood's border, so boating is a popular recreational outlet. A number of marinas dot the area, including the Epping Forest Yacht Club, a half-mile north of the neighborhood. The club's centerpiece is a beautiful Spanish Renaissance style mansion, originally built by a DuPont family heir in 1927. Home buyers with children are attracted to the quality and proximity of local schools. Beauclerc is also home to the Bolles School's San Jose campus. The private school founded in 1933 serves grades 9 through 12. The area also boasts a YMCA and several public parks. Beauclerc attracts a nice mixture of older and younger homeowners, is culturally diverse and gives residents a sense of place hard to find in other areas of the city. Brentwood The First Tee of Jacksonville, designed to make golf more accessible and affordable for young people, began at the site of the old Brentwood Country Club in December 2000. The Brentwood library branch at 3725 Pearl St. received $600,000 in renovations, and reopened in January 2004. And residents are working hard to reclaim their neighborhood from crime. Older developments, such as 589-unit Brentwood Park, have reported fewer crimes after massive rehabilitations. Repairs occur more quickly, federal laws help evict criminals faster and more police patrol the area. Brooklyn The historically residential Brooklyn area, which borders LaVilla near the central downtown district of Jacksonville, has seen its share of down times. But neighborhood advocates are hoping for a resurgence that will include both businesses and residents. The Brooklyn area's name has come up repeatedly when talk turns to art. In 1999, a group called Art Stop was formed to discuss designating an official Jacksonville arts district. The group focused on Park Street, which runs from Brooklyn, through Five Points, into Riverside. At the time, an old drug rehab center was being converted into the Brooklyn Contemporary Art Center, which was supposed to be the largest art center south of Atlanta. But the state Department of Transportation demolished the bridge that linked Five Points with Brooklyn as well as the center. Artists who had studio space in Brooklyn fled to locales such as Springfield andSan Marco. The Brooklyn Arts & Design Center opened in the core downtown at123 E. Forsyth St while a second campus operates at 2360 Myra St. in Riverside. Where government taketh away, though, it also giveth. In October 2004, Jacksonville approved the Brooklyn Neighborhood Strategy Plan, which called for the creation of mixed-income residential, parking and commercial development for South Brooklyn. Developers plan two projects, with 1,500 residential units (both rental and condo), office space and a new city park. The neighborhood also lies in an Enterprise Zone, an area designated as a target for economic development. Officials say its proximity to Interstate 95, Riverside Avenue and downtown make Brooklyn a marketable area. Cedar Hills / Confederate Point / Jacksonville Heights There is a renewed interest in the close-in neighborhoods of Cedar Hills, Confederate Point, and Jacksonville Heights - both as residential communities and new retail and commercial areas. These long-standing communities on the Westside lie east and west of Interstate 295 along 103rd Street, and have experienced a resurgence in the construction of new subdivisions, the remodeling of existing homes and opening of new stores and shopping centers. The major thoroughfares that connect these communities to Jacksonville include Old Middleburg Road, Blanding Boulevard and Lane Avenue. One of the last vestiges of a simpler, country Jacksonville lifestyle, developments began in the area in the '50s, '60s, and '70s, resulting in homes built in a variety of styles. Residents are a short drive form the Cecil Field Commerce Center, an area of growing industry and several recreation facilities. Dames Point Although the area has been known primarily for industry, the tides have turned. People now see the Northside as incredibly convenient to downtown, Jacksonville International Airport (only a 15-minute drive), and varied recreational opportunities such as Big Talbot and LittleTalbot islands, the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens and Huguenot Park. The area also backs up to 56,000 acres of the Timucuan preserve. Commercial strip malls have opened; one at Interstate 295 and Lem Turner Road is anchored by Home Depot, while another, the 78,000-square-foot Duval Station Centre across from First Coast High School is anchored by Publix. The area has lots more space to expand with waterfront land available. Deerwood and Tinseltown The gated, golf club communities of Deerwood and Deer Creek set the stage for this area of town off Southside Boulevard. There are numerous developments of moderately priced condominiums, apartment homes and single-family residences off Southside as well as homes priced up to 1.5 million or so. Beautifically kept office parks and car dealerships are close by, while The Avenues mall is a 10 to15-minute drive away. The Tinseltown area, north of the Deerwood-Deer Creek area, is named for the CineMark Tinseltown Theater that was first on the site. Now, it has plenty of company as the area is among the fastest growing spots in the city. Already located there are numerous restaurants and nightspots, shops, hotel and offices. Upscale apartments near Tinseltown and the St. Johns Town Center attract young singles, while luxury condos have also gone up nearby. The area has also seen many apartment-to-condo conversions. Five Points Five Points - named for where Park, Margaret and Lomax streets come together from five directions - is really part of the Riverside area, but stands on its own because of its unusual nature. Colorful storefronts, restaurants and funky specialty shops, some with a lot of 'tude, make up the retail part of this area. Within eyesight and walking distance are schools, churches, parks and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. You can see young folks with numerous piercings as often as you see men and women in business suits at the Publix supermarket and Starbucks coffee house. In 2005, a project was completed to give the heart of Five Points a makeover by redoing the sidewalks and adding lighting and benches. An old theater and its building is being converted into condos. Fort Caroline and East Arlington In their leisure time, families in Fort Caroline take advantage of their natural surroundings by hiking, exploring, kayaking and fishing. They don't have to go far: a protected nature preserve is practically in their backyard. Fort Caroline National Memorial, a part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, pays tribute to early French settlement efforts with a replica fort exhibit and visitor's education center. Just next door is St. Johns Bluff at Ribault Monument, a memorial to Jean Ribault, one of the area's first explorers. The view from the bluff offers a bird's-eye vista of the St. Johns River, once known as the River of May. For home buyers in search of country club living, one of the areas more established private clubs is Hidden Hills Country Club, founded in 1965. Although new homes are going up quickly, hundreds of acres in Fort Caroline will remain untouched because of their historic standing. Garden City and Dinsmore The communities of Dinsmore and Garden City retain the rural small-town appeal they have held for decades. Residents who move here tend to stay, and many have neighbors they have known for years. With the exception of Dunn Avenue and Interstate 295, most of the area comprising Dinsmore and Garden City has been spared heavy traffic and urban encroachment. These two areas have communities sprinkled amid acres of forested and undeveloped land. Residents enjoy a friendly, rural lifestyle in quiet neighborhoods filled with large private properties. Woodwings, acreage near Jacksonville International Airport, is planned for business and commercial development. The 328-acre Woodwings East is expected to be used for warehouses, distribution centers and light industrial projects. Dunn Avenue is the main commercial district, but, because it also has several churches, people have nicknamed it Church Road. Locale is a big advantage to living in the area as it is close to Interstate 295 and the North Campus of Florida Community College at Jacksonville; only a 25-minute commute to the Orange Park Mall or Regency Square; and has a J.C.Penney-anchored shopping center at Lem Turner Road and Dunn Avenue. Gateway and Talleyrand It's a part of Jacksonville that often gets overlooked, but Gateway and Talleyrand are redeveloping themselves. Renovations at Gateway Center, along with road improvements funded by the Better Jacksonville Plan and new housing options, are bringing vitality to the area. Historically, the Gateway and Talleyrand areas, on the outskirts of Springfield and the emerging downtown, were some of the earliest settled neighborhoods in Jacksonville. Examples of early 1900s architecture still exist. Buyers are purchasing these older homes and restoring them to their original glory. Parts of Talleyrand are highly industrial, but the landscape is rapidly changing. The opportunity to own riverfront housing downtown in former industrial areas has become a reality. Berkman Plaza and Marina, a high-end condominium and townhouse project at 400 E. Bay St., welcomed its first residents in 2002. Construction of luxury towers at the former Jacksonville Shipyards is supposed to begin in late 2007. Intracoastal and Intracoastal West Beautiful homes along the Waterway allow residents to enjoy marsh breezes and have their boats right at hand. But development hasn't stopped with single-family homes. Spots along the Intracoastal have been tapped for condos, such as Marina San Pablo off Butler Boulevard, the first tower of which should be completed in late 2006. Developers also plan a condo high-rise at Palm Cove Marina off Beach Boulevard at the Intracoastal. As far as west of what residents call "The Big Ditch," it hasn't been that long since Butler Boulevard was a two-lane road, meandering through tree farms and cow pastures on its way to the beach. Begun simply as an access road to the University of North Florida, it is now six lanes for most of its length and has brought shopping, new communities and more roads. Gated golf communities, such as Jacksonville Golf & Country Club and Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club, have sold quickly. They are joined by the new First Coast Technology Park on the University of North Florida campus and a new open-air shopping center, the St. Johns Town Center, near the intersection of Butler Boulevard and St. Johns Bluff Road. Schools in the neighborhood are already a big drawing card. Both UNF and Florida Community College at Jacksonville have campuses in the region. Atlantic and Beach boulevards have been widened in recent years, and a new bridge is planned to replace the Intracoastal Waterway drawbridge on Beach Boulevard. Butler Boulevard is to be widened to six lanes from Southside Boulevard to Interstate 95, which should help traffic flow both into and out of town. Queen's Harbour Yacht & Country Club, which has been steadily growing for the past 10 years, has been a big hit with boaters because of its easy Intracoastal and St. Johns River access through a freshwater lock system, and with golfers because of its Mark McCumber-designed course. On the south end of the Intracoastal, just past Butler Boulevard is Marsh Landing, which opened in 1982. Jacksonville Beach After years of standing in the shadow of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach is finally coming into its own. Formerly known as the beach commercial center, Jacksonville Beach was full of businesses and residential rental property. It was a nice place to visit or shop. But as demand for homes at the Beaches continues to increase, more people have found Jacksonville Beach's mix of everything from oceanfront homes to the area's most affordable housing quite appealing. Of course, the resort and laid-back lifestyle is Jacksonville Beach's biggest perk. The area is becoming a community of the young and active. Head out on the weekends and you'll see young people everywhere playing on school groups, bicycling along the ocean, or riding the waves on surfboards. Cultural, music and entertainment events are often on stage in Jacksonville Beach. The SeaWalk Pavilion, part of a $2.4 million downtown renovation project, is the focal point of beach festivals, which bring everything from blues legends to Latin bands to the stage. In the First Street entertainment district, you'll find the Freebird Cafe, which mixes food, local band Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia and every kind of music from old Southern rock to the newest local bands. Across the street is the Bukkets Baha Beach Club, one of the longest continuously open dance clubs in the city. Then there's Lynch's Irish Pub, with its traditional Irish music some nights and local '80s or funk bands on others. There's a vibrant arts community throughout Jacksonville Beach - by day or night. You can hear classical music performed at St. Paul's By-The-Sea Episcopal Church throughout the fall as part of the Beaches Fine Arts Series and see a production by Players-By-The-Sea, one of the Beaches' two community theater groups. All this activity, combined with some vigorous efforts by the city of Jacksonville Beach to add new landscaping and other beautification efforts, adds to the demand for Jacksonville Beach property. Lake Shore Because of its major road access - Blanding Boulevard, Cassat Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard cross the area - Lake Shore residents are a quick drive away from shopping at Roosevelt Square, restaurants, the river with its many recreational activities and downtown. The $2.9 million Townsend Road drainage improvements, which were part of the Better Jacksonville Plan, have been completed and have solved previous problems. LaVilla From its years as a bustling transportation center in the late 1800s to the time when it swung to the beat of Ray Charles, Duke Ellington and Sarah Vaughan, La Villa has had a colorful past. Its busy railway depot attracted thousands of travelers along Lee and Bay streets. In the early 1900s, its African American community of houses and entertainment venues flourished. Today, after decades of urban decay and a controversial revitalization plan in the 1990s that left vacant lots where several longtime structures existed, La Villa has been revitalized. The Ritz Theater has been restored to its former glory. The La Villa School of the Arts attracts talented students from across the county. Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church on Beaver Street opened a 5,000-seat sanctuary in May 2002. An increasing number of businesses are expanding or developing offices. While development in La Villa - 770 acres north and west of the central downtown business district - has been commercial so far, it is possible that residential living might be a realty. Loretto A distinct part of the greater Mandarin area, Loretto sits between San Jose Boulevard to the west and Philips Highway to the east. It is bordered to the north by Interstate 295 and to the south by the county line. Loretto was formed by the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine. In the days of Reconstruction, Loretto sprouted up next to the nuns' convent, dormitory and school. It is on what became Old St. Augustine Road, the highway between Jacksonville and St. Augustine. According to Wayne Wood's Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage, the nuns were sent there to educate both the residents and newly freed slaves. As more and more new Northeast Florida residents found the area's ancient tree cover, access to the river and convenient location appealing, Loretto and Mandarin started to grow. Many homes are built on some of the largest new construction lots in the area, and there are many dead-end streets and cul-de-sacs. Loretto is popular, too, because of all its nearby amenities. Just about every merchant, service or restaurant imaginable lines San Jose Boulevard. Loretto definitely has a solid, hometown feel. The neighborhoods are established. Parks and nature areas are nearby. There are many places for kids to play. It's a bit of proverbial middle America. Mandarin There are plenty of choices for home buyers with prices ranging from low $100's to more than $3 million for a riverfront home. Many Mandarin home sites have a canopy of large trees that put nature's beauty on display. Quality education is a priority for most families considering relocation, and Mandarin is known for its excellent schools - four elementary schools, two middle schools and Mandarin Senior High School. The area also offers various parochial and private educational facilities. Downtown-area businesses, performing arts centers and Alltel Stadium are within a 20- to 25-minute drive. Mandarin has a variety of shopping facilities and restaurants. Most residents have a grocery store and pharmacy within minutes of their homes. Several synagogues as well as various churches serve the religious needs of Mandarin, which has about 40 houses of worship. River access and good neighborhood parks are another attractive feature. The community has many parks, both active and passive, several marinas and more waterfront views than any other area in Jacksonville. Mandarin's roots are said to date to the Civil War. The building that is home to the Mandarin Community Club was rebuilt in 1872 after a fire destroyed an earlier building on the site. Harriet Beecher Stowe, famed author of Uncle Tom's Cabin and longtime winter resident, led the project. Since before the Civil War until nearly 1975, Mandarin remained a primarily rural community, with much of the business in agriculture. Today, Mandarin is a thriving area with more than 10,000 residences and plenty of upscale retail centers and businesses. Marietta and Whitehouse Few places around Jacksonville still can claim a country atmosphere with room to move. Marietta offers unusually large lots with an average of a half-acre. There is new development coming in, too, satisfying those looking for a good combination of rural community and modern homes. Many move to Marietta because they have animals. It's not uncommon to see cows, horses or other farm animals there. The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, opened in February 2000, also winds through Marietta. The trail, converted from the roadbeds of abandoned railroad lines to paved or graveled restricted thoroughfares, offers a pathway for bicycles, skaters and walker /hikers as well as horseback riders. The 14.5-mile trail runs through an area of industrial developments, farms with grazing cows and horses and forests that come right up to the grassy shoulders. Marietta is not only home to people looking for space, it is also home to many businesses looking for space. The Publix warehouse, Michael's warehouse and the Winn-Dixie distribution center are located off Beaver Street. The Westside Industrial Park is just north of Marietta, while the new Cecil Commerce Center also is convenient. These businesses mean opportunity for employment. Mayport The Mayport Waterfront Partnership is dedicated to revitalizing the historic fishing village. The partnership includes business people, civic leaders and residents who organized through a state grant in 1997 to restore Mayport. Among other things, the group is developing new zoning standards, putting cable and phone lines underground, fixing streets and drainage problems and planning overall beautification efforts. Vestor Co. of Jacksonville is planning several upscale condominiums for the village and has already started demolishing buildings and cleaning up property. Road improvement is also being tagged as a major contributor to the village's success. The $110 million Wonderwood Connector is projected to be finished in 2008. Another portion of the connector, from Monument Road to Girvin Roads, was opened in 2005, joining a part of the Wonderwood already completed from Girvin to Mayport roads, including the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway that opened in 2004. Since Mayport is home to Mayport Naval Station, many travel daily into and out of the area. Besides Mayport's obvious draw of being close to the beach, the community also has a lot of other enticing qualities. It is home to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, the northernmost beach on the south side of the St. Johns River. This Jacksonville city park at the north end of Mayport Road has an uncrowded beach with high dunes that are densely forested on the inland side, a hiking trail and a small water park for children. And, with its prime location between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, Mayport is home to a major fishing industry. You can buy Mayport shrimp and other seafood fresh off the docks from many of the seafood companies that operate there. Maxville Maxville, a community at the intersection of U.S. Highway 301 and Normandy Boulevard in the southwest corner of Duval County to the Clay County line, is home to about 3,000 people who like to get away from it all. The first things you notice about Maxville is that homes have lots of land and that their park has softball fields that are almost always full. The Diamond D Rent Horse Stables, which offers guided horseback rides through beautiful forest trails, is in Maxville. Although new residential development hasn't happened yet, Maxville's proximity to the Cecil Commerce Center means that more businesses and people are probably on their way. Maxville also has another distinction; because Jacksonville's Bookmobile has done such a big business in Maxville, the community received its own $1.7 million branch in 2005. Moncrief Pride is a word that comes up when talking about the Moncrief area, bordered by Moncrief Road and 44th Street on the south, Sibbald Road on the west and the Trout and St. Johns rivers on the north and east. The Moncrief Improvement Association has made great strides and it along with the community's City Council representatives, church-funded charities and other groups are continually working to beautify the area. Moncrief residents enjoy quick access to the downtown area, the airport and the core of the city. The recent addition of some major retailers as well as new small businesses offer practically all of the same services and goods other Jacksonville communities enjoy. Gateway Center, on the southeast corner of Moncrief, offers 221,000 square feet of shops, restaurants, stores and services. The center also has a Publix grocery store. New residential construction is coming to Moncrief and the surrounding areas, particularly Springfield to the south. The addition of a new school and improvements at the older ones have done a lot for Moncrief's students. The Moncrief Improvement Association and residents have been instrumental in acquiring a community center and a playground, repairing streets and performing other fundamental services. Murray Hill With a history dating back to the turn of the century, Murray Hill has landmarks that add to its uniqueness. The neighborhood boasts one of Jacksonville's only two 1918 Sears, Roebuck and Co. kit homes. The borders of Murray Hill run roughly from Interstate 10 down Cassat Avenue to Park Street, over to Roosevelt Boulevard, and back up to 1-10. Now boasting more than 5,000 homes, ranging from small bungalows and brownstones to larger two-story homes, residents of Murray Hill are moving in or staying in the small community because of its family-oriented appeal, its location close to major arteries and downtown, its parks and its pedestrian-friendly business district. The neighborhood is often mentioned these days as the next big real estate boom. The Murray Hill Preservation Association, which has operated under different names since 1932, can take much of the credit for making Murray Hill what it is today. MHPA, organized to preserve the neighborhood, is a key component to planning, representing and preserving Murray Hill's unique character. Neptune Beach The youngest and smallest of the Beaches neighborhoods, Neptune Beach has defined itself by becoming the closest thing to a suburban area among Jacksonville's oceanfront communities. Neptune Beach's boundaries run from Atlantic Boulevard to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Intracoastal Waterway to the west and Seagate Avenue to the south. According to Wayne Wood's Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage, Neptune Beach first came into being in 1931 when the citizens organized a tax revolt against the city of Jacksonville Beach for better services. Since 1989, it has operated under an elected mayor, council and city manager government. The name Neptune is attributed to resident Dan G. Wheeler. Wheeler, who regularly walked to Mayport to catch the train for work in Jacksonville, found out that if he constructed a station near his home, the train would have to stop there. He built the station in 1922 and named the station "Neptune." It's been the name ever since. Commercial areas have crept in and now include everything from clubs and restaurants to alternative medical centers to imported furniture stores. Legendary Pete's Bar is the granddaddy of all of Duval County watering holes, with the area's first liquor license, issued in 1933. It also was featured in John Grisham's novel The Brethren. Another Neptune Beach hot spot is the Sun Dog Diner, where, depending on the day of the week, you can hear funk, jazz, rock or folk music. The city of Neptune Beach has made improvements to its downtown area. New landscaping and brick streets add charm to the already unique community without sacrificing its casual, residential feel. One of the strongest similarities among Neptune Beach and the other Beaches communities is the steady rise in property values. Many Neptune Beach newbies buy a fixer-upper home or duplex for restoration and possible use as a rental or resale investment. Homes date back from the 1930s to recent years in Neptune Beach, offering opportunities for everyone to do-it-yourselfers to people ready to hire professional contractors. Nocatee New town, new type of living The town of Nocatee is a master-planned "new town" in the northeast corner of St. Johns County and the southeast corner of Duval County. The development will provide a variety of residential lifestyles, employment opportunities, shopping, schools and civic uses. The Nocatee Parkway opened in January 2007, with traffic routed from County Road 210. The east-west route will take drivers north of 210 into Nocatee, a 15,000 acre development that eventually will have 30,000 residents. A southern route, Crosswater Parkway, was opened in March 2007. Some neighborhoods, like Riverwood, a 55+ community by Pulte Del Webb, and Coastal Oaks by the Toll Brothers, are taking shape. The first homes were completed in mid-2007. The town will have more than 360 acres of neighborhood and community parks. Each neighborhood will have its own park, which may include ball fields, tot lots, playgrounds, and picnic areas. In addition, 185 acres of community parks will feature athletic fields, an aquatics park, playgrounds, tennis facilities and basketball courts. Construction of the Community Park is expected to be completed in late 2008. Construction of the Aquatics Park is expected to be completed in Spring 2009. Normandy and Hyde Park Driving along Normandy Boulevard is like looking into the past and future all at once. The once rural area nestled on Jacksonville's Westside was once used mainly for dairy farming. Although large patches of land spotted with sprawling oaks, tall pines and grazing cattle still can be found, the area is now at the threshold of major growth. With Jacksonville Naval Air Station and the former Cecil Field Naval Air Station close by, Normandy /Hyde Park has for years been a military community. The federal government closed Cecil Field in 1999, but the city has improved the 17,000-acre property into the Cecil Commerce Center. While there was a push in 2006 to bring Navy jets back to the former base, the proposal was defeated in a non-binding resolution and it looks as if the idea is dead for now. The Cecil Commerce Center includes the Semanik Equestrian Center with indoor arena seating for 4,000, an outdoor arena and ring, lighted practice rings and barns. There is also a recreation complex and community center, Olympic-sized swimming pool, instructional pool and softball fields. Eventually the facility is expected to provide about 4,000 jobs. Part of the draw to the Normandy /Hyde Park community is its prime location, with easy access to Interstates 295 and 10. The area also is convenient to downtown, only a 10-minute drive. Jacksonville International Airport and shopping malls can be reached within 15 to 30 minutes, and the Beaches are about 40 minutes away. Residents send their children to some of the best schools in Jacksonville, which include Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology, a vocational skills center, and Bishop John Snyder, Jacksonville's second Catholic high school. Amenities include parks, public docks, marinas and golf courses. Residents are civic-minded and there are many community groups working to keep the area beautiful even as it grows. Westside Involved Neighbors, one of the community groups in the area, has completed landscaping and beautification projects in the area. The community has strong family roots, with many families having lived there for generations. Some grandchildren even live in the houses once owned by their great-grandparents. Oceanway Amid the major development in Oceanway, the rural aspect of life - the cows, the green fields and the lush forests - remain as fixtures that embody the area. New communities are sprouting up everywhere, including along Busch Drive, Alta Drive, Starratt Road and New Berlin Road. Amelia View, is a development that features deep, navigable water and direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway, along with views across the Nassau Sound to Amelia Island. Home sites are expected to be a quarter- to a half-acre in size and the planned community amenities include lakes, gazebos, a pool and parks. Industry in Oceanway is alive and well. Industrial parks blend in with the landscape, and acres of undeveloped land surround businesses. Companies along busy Busch Drive include Anheuser-Busch, Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. and Bacardi Bottling Corp. River City Marketplace, an open air shopping complex along Interstate 95 at Duval Road that includes a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a 14-screen Hollywood Theater cinema, opened its first phase in 2006. Original plans also call for hotel rooms and residential units. Nature-based recreation is popular in this area with access to many water sources. Additionally, a public pond behind Oceanway Community Center on Sago Avenue West offers residents a place to fish and relax. Ortega and Ortega Forest The currents of the Ortega River have swept ashore a host of colorful characters: renowned botanist William Bartram; highwayman and cattle rustler Daniel McGirtt; and Don Juan McQueen, who attempted to establish a plantation on his 1791 Ortega land grant, but was forced out by the attacks of Georgians and the French. There was even a persistent rumor that gangster George "Machine Gun" Kelly and his wife were the mysterious couple who abruptly left their rented Grand Avenue home hours before a midnight police raid in 1933. Present-day Ortega is defined by its rivers, tree-shaded home sites and parks and an eclectic collection of spectacular architectural styles. Mediterranean Revival homes sit side-by-side with colonial-style frame houses. Grand Tudors are alongside cedar-shingle homes. Perhaps the most obvious characteristic of today's Ortega is its stability. It is well-known as a place to raise a family and to remain even after the children are grown and have left home. Roosevelt Square mall is just across the river, and the Ortega Village shopping area has its own array of retail and service businesses. Also drawing residents is Ortega's physical beauty. The view of the city from across the water is spectacular, and there seems to be a park around every comer. "Ortega, long known as home to "Old Jacksonville" families, has waterfront home prices that can reach into the multi-millions. Riverside/Avondale In 1868, Confederate veteran Miles Price sold 500 acres of his property, known as Dell's Bluff, to a Yankee, Edward M. Cheney, and his financial backer, John M. Forbes of Boston, for $10,000 in gold. Forbes and Cheney built grand riverfront homes and waited for the influx of residents. For the next 30 years, however, they remained the only homeowners in the very rural area. On May 3,1901, in less than 24 hours, downtown Jacksonville and the majority of the city's homes disappeared in a blazing inferno, sparked by a fire that spread from the Cleaveland Fibre Factory. With downtown Jacksonville in ruins from the Great Fire, residents relocated in droves to the suburbs, starting with Riverside. Soon riverfront on Riverside Avenue was lined with elegant mansions and, within 10 years, was being called one of the most beautiful streets in America. Architects and construction companies from all over the country had followed the fire to Jacksonville, and Riverside benefited greatly. Innovative home designs were commissioned by lumber magnate Wellington W. Cummer and his two sons, Waldo and Arthur, Jacksonville's Mayor J.E.T. Bowden, Col. Raymond Cay and Episcopal Bishop Edwin G. Weed. Homes were designed by Mark & Sheftall, Henry J. Klutho and Addison Mizner. The expansion continued with the creation of Avondale, an exclusive development planned by a group of investors led by Telfair Stockton. Appealing unabashedly to the well-to-do, Avondale was a huge success with nearly 200 homes built in its first two years. Most of the residences were two stories and many were designed in the Mediterranean Revival style, which Mizner had earlier taken to South Florida and which became the strongest architectural statement of 1920s Florida. Klutho brought the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Prairie style to Jacksonville. The simple bungalow, influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement, made a big statement: along with Avondale, Riverside has the largest collection of bungalows of any neighborhood in Florida. Thanks to historically minded people and the Riverside-Avondale Preservation Association, much of that distinctive architecture remains today. You can see many houses with the brown RAP plaque symbolic of a restoration effort. Developers are also continuing to take a fresh look at old buildings and finding innovative new uses for them. St Nicholas St. Nicholas' history began in 1822 when the British settled the northern bank of the St. Johns River at the narrow crossing called the" cow ford" and the Spanish fortified the Pass de San Nicolas along the southern bank, making it an important northerly point of defense for St. Augustine. The area south of the river near the former fort has continued to be known as St. Nicholas, a tribute to days of yore. After the Civil War and through the late 1800s, the area from the ferry landing to the Arlington River,including Empire Point, was referred to as the village of St. Nicholas. In 2007, it is undergoing visual enhancement as one of the city's Town Center projects. St. Nicholas is a place where neighbors are really neighbors. Every December, the neighborhood has a holiday party complete with a visit from St. Nick and streets lined with luminaria. The neighborhood also has its own Easter egg hunt and Fourth of July celebration. The community, the heart of which lies where Beach and Atlantic boulevards meet, is a few minutes from Interstate 95, downtown and the San Marco shopping district. It also is home to two of the most respected private high schools in the area. Episcopal and Bishop Kenny both have beautiful campuses spotted with century-old oaks standing tall along waterfront property with spectacular views of downtown Jacksonville. San Jose Born of the Florida land boom in 1925 on the tree-shaded eastern bank of the St. Johns River, San Jose Estates was the most ambitious land development in North Florida in its day. Hotels, a yacht club, shopping center, schools, country club and hundreds of houses were planned. The best architectural, design and development firms were retained. A national advertising campaign was so successful that construction crews worked around the clock to meet the demands of prospective buyers from across the country. By late 1926, all construction on San Jose Estates had ceased. The Great Depression loomed on the horizon, and Florida's boom became a bust. Only one hotel, the country club and 31 houses were built. The development was dead, but the San Jose neighborhood lived on. Today, the San Jose Hotel is now the private Bolles School, the development's administration building has become San Jose Episcopal Church and the site of the never-built second hotel became the Alfred I. DuPont estate, Epping Forest, now a yacht club surrounded by upscale homes and condominiums. Only San Jose Country Club still functions as it did upon completion. Although renovations have updated the clubhouse interior and facilities, the club's architecture remains intact. In 1985, the remaining San Jose Estates structures were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many other architectural styles have found a home in San Jose, giving it an eclectic appeal, with a wide range of residential sizes and prices, as well. Contributing to the community's good looks and overall allure are its sweeping trees and many parks, some quite large. Because of the area's excellent schools, San Jose is an ideal neighborhood for young families with children. Still, many couples stay in their large houses even after the children are gone because of their attachment to the community. The central location is minutes from downtown or Southpoint and well within a half-hour of Jacksonville's beaches. Fine restaurants and good shopping, including several large antique malls, add to San Jose's appeal. San Marco Red Bank Plantation House on Greenridge Road, the oldest known structure still standing in San Marco, was completed in 1857 by Albert Gallatin Philips, Jacksonville's sheriff from 1833 to 1839. Philips Highway, on the periphery of San Marco, was named for one of his sons, Judge Henry B. Philips. No longer in existence, Villa Alexandria was the grandest structure of its time. Built in 1872 by Martha Reed Mitchell, sister of former Florida Gov. Harrison Reed, it stood on a 140-acre tract on the St. Johns River. Mitchell's home was a showplace and served as the center of her many charitable activities - St. Luke's Hospital and All Saints Episcopal Church, among others. Mitchell's neighbors in the Fletcher Park area were 158 shipyard workers living in Henry Klutho-designed homes. World War I saw a boom in shipbuilding, creating in turn a need for housing for its workers. Today, 12 of these homes surround Fletcher Park with its 1883 church, now home to the San Marco Preservation Society. Modern residential development came to San Marco with the 1921 completion of the St: Johns River bridge, later renamed the Acosta Bridge. Then came Telfair Stockton and his plans for an 80-acre subdivision called San Marco. Streets were curved to show off trees and scenic vistas and Lake Marco- was formed out of an old brickyard. The mix of architectural styles reflected residents' strong interest in the outside world. In 1926, the commercial shopping district was laid out at the corner of Atlantic and San Marco boulevards. Theatre Jacksonville, one of the nation's oldest continuously operating community theater groups, is housed in an Art Deco building dating from 1937. With its many-tiered fountain and wrought iron sculpture still intact, the area thrives today as home to an eclectic collection of trendy shops, theaters and restaurants. San Mateo Before 1956, the area known as San Mateo was mostly forest with huge oaks laden with Spanish moss, wild holly trees and an abundance of magnolias, hickories, pines and wildflowers. Wildlife was abundant. In the winter of 1955-1956, though, development found the area and the first families began moving in. Now, the area is a quiet residential neighborhood of 50-year-old homes on the northern bank of the St. Johns River. The community name comes from the Spanish name given to the river in the 1560s, Rio de San Mateo (River of St. Matthew). San Mateo, south of Oceanway, has very affordable homes. The area takes pride in San Mateo Accelerated Academy, a magnet elementary school that repeatedly scores top grades in the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Southside This is the confusing one ... Southside is really more of a general location than a pure neighborhood, but you'll hear it referred to quite often as where people live. San Jose is on the Southside, but so is Southside Estates, across the river and 15 miles away. Because we've outlined particular neighborhoods within Southside, we're identifying it here as north of Butler Boulevard, south of Atlantic Boulevard, east of University Boulevard and west of St. Johns Bluff Road. Not surprisingly, Southside has a diverse mix of residential styles and offerings within its borders. Neighborhood offerings range from working class, single family homes to gated communities with all the amenities. Young adults age 25 to 34 account for 27 percent of the area's population, while people age 65 and older account for 20 percent. There are a host of retailers and restaurants in the area, and Regency Square and The Avenues malls are just a short 10- to 20-minute drive away. Easy access to the St. Johns River through tributaries such as Pottsburg Creek, appeals to those interested in fishing and boating. Southside has a mix of public and private schools for elementary through high school students, with close proximity to the University of North Florida off St. Johns Bluff Road and the Florida Community College at Jacksonville's South Campus off Beach Boulevard. Springfield There is a great deal of renewed interest today in living in the historic district of Springfield. Many believe it has a lot to do with the charm of the beautiful homes. Touring one, as many people have done over the past few years, is like opening a yearbook of the city, circa the late 1800s. Windows, porches, staircases, attics, and fireplaces yield page after page of historical glimpses of Jacksonville's past. New homes are being built that are architecturally compatible with the historic district's building guidelines for the area. A few of these homes that line Pearl Street look like rehabilitated homes, but they're new - with many of the features people love in older-style homes, including the porches. The homes have standard features such as pre-wired security systems, semi-plank exterior siding, decorative foundation blocks, fiberglass shingles, all-wood kitchen cabinets, kitchen appliances, ceramic tile and double-hung wood exterior windows. Beyond the crop of new historic-looking homes, some of the area's authentic homes, with rich histories behind them, are capturing people's attention. Popular styles include Florida vernacular, bungalow, Prairie and transitional Queen Anne / Colonial Revival. Henry J. Klutho, who was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture, began experimenting with the Prairie style in Springfield. The aesthetically pleasing style endures today. The real estate market in Springfield is active. Many buyers are purchasing homes at low prices, then rehabilitating them. Experts advise, however, that it requires a good bit of cash and even more patience to undertake a restoration project. In 1987, Springfield was selected as a National Register Historic District under federal criteria and recognized under federal law. Only two other areas in Jacksonville, Avondale and Riverside, hold the title. A historic gem worth revitalizing, Springfield contains one of the largest concentrations of residences dating from the early-1800s in Florida. Timuquana and Venetia With an area along one of the most scenic stretches of the St. Johns River, the Venetia and Timuquana area is a little bit of heaven. Southeast of Ortega off Roosevelt Boulevard and bordered by the river and Timuquana Country Club, the Westside communities have beautiful vistas galore. The private country club is a buffer from the hustle and bustle of the Jacksonville Naval Air Station, while the Timuquana Yacht Club also provides rest and relaxation on the river for its members. The homes are older but beautifully kept, with manicured expansive lawns. While you might be able to find a house in the nearby area for less, most are in the multi-hundred thousands. Wesconnett Wesconnett, more than a century old, has grown and evolved along with Jacksonville. Today this neighborhood offers a variety of residential areas, goods and services. Hundreds of businesses - from car dealerships to mom-and-pop stores -line Blanding Boulevard, Timuquana Road and 103rd Street, creating several shopping districts. Jacksonville's only drive-in theater, the Playtime Drive-In and Flea Market, is on Blanding Boulevard in Wesconnett. Although a small area, two post offices serve it, the Westland Station and Lake Shore Station. Under the Better Jacksonville Plan, this area will receive improvements to streets and parks. Blanding Boulevard will be widened, and improvements for Wesconnett Boulevard - increased capacity and drainage repairs - have been completed in early 2006. Park improvements have occurred at Ringhaver Park, with lighting installed in the ballfields, a walking trail created and six soccer fields added. Residents like the area because it is quaint and quiet, yet it is only a 10- to 20-minute commute to downtown or to the Orange Park Mall. The area has many established older neighborhoods with nice block or brick homes that are moderately priced and conveniently located. There is a wide range of home prices in the area. |