You are currently viewing Three City Buildings with Outstanding Design and History

Three City Buildings with Outstanding Design and History

Over the years, I’ve walked around downtown Jacksonville and noted unique buildings that stood out to me. The first one I’ve randomly stumbled upon was the Jacksonville Police station. The modern pyramid shape, sharp corners, and never-ending steps drew me in. 

Then, other times, I find interesting buildings by researching Jacksonville’s history online. For example, that is how I found 1930’s sculpture slabs by the New York Artist Gaetano Cecere. When I saw them in real life, I was amazed by the textures and their impressive stature. 

About a month ago, I was having a beer with a friend at Ruby Beach Brewing downtown. Looming across the street was a large building that had interesting details. My friend told me it was the old Claud Yates Building. He also mentioned it was being used as a city building. 

I realized all three of these buildings had two things in common; Unique design and being used as city buildings. I thought that was interesting. So I then went on to create this post to share with you.

Below are some of the details on each subject interest.

Jacksonville Police Department

The Police Memorial Building during the late 1970s. (G.E. Kidder Smith Image Collection MITLibraries)

Subject interest: 
Jacksonville Police Department, 20th-century modern architecture 

Creation year:
1971-1975

Architect: 
William Morgan (American, b. 1930; d. 2016)

Material:
Concrete 

Orginal name and use:
Police Memorial Building – housing law-enforcement activities with public space, and gardens

Current use:
Police Department 

Address:
Jacksonville Police Department
501 E Bay St
Jacksonville, FL 32202

ABOUT:

When it was completed in 1977, the Police Memorial Building combined an often formidable municipal function with a welcoming public park. Designed by William Morgan, the modern building featured a below-ground parking garage and a rooftop neighborhood garden with multiple terraces, plantings, a pool, fountain, and heliport.

At some point, the publicly accessible rooftop park was declared a security hazard and closed, transforming the complex to the formidable structure Morgan’s original vision intended to soften.

One can only imagine the masterpiece that could have anchored East Bay Street if the landscaping in Morgan’s rooftop park would have been allowed to mature.

Commerce and Industry in Florida & Agriculture in Florida Art Work

Agriculture in Florida
Commerce and Industry in Florida

Subject interest:
(2) Monumental Art Deco works – Commerce and Industry in Florida & Agriculture in Florida

Artist:
Gaetano Cecere (American, b. 1894; d. 1985)

Creation year:
1930’s

Material:
Indiana Limestone 

Original use:
Public art created for Jacksonville

Current use:
Public art created for Jacksonville

Address:
Fire And Rescue Department 
515 N Julia St
Jacksonville, FL 32202

*Installed at the entrance of the Fire and Rescue Department
*Former Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Jacksonville Branch

ABOUT

About Gaetano Cecere:
An American sculptor, born, educated, and worked in New York City. He studied with Hermon A MacNeil, with work in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

In 1920 he won the Prix de Rome and studied at the American Academy in Rome for several years. During this period, a “tendency to simplify forms for decorative effects was developed.”

Cecere has works and documents housed in many major museums and collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Collection of Fine Arts, and the Archives of American Art.

About the limestone slabs:
Designed by nationally renowned sculptor Gaetano Cecere, these monumental Indiana limestone panels are perhaps downtown Jacksonville’s most significant yet overlooked public art works.

This panel represents Agriculture in Florida. The opposing panel represents Commerce and Industry in Florida. The building with its impressive reliefs was dedicated in 1952.

Facts sourced from: vintagejacksonville.net , en.wikipedia.org, and www.culturalcouncil.org

Duval County Tax Collector

Subject interest: 
Neo-Classical Revival architecture 

Creation year:
1914

Architect: 
Talley & Summer

Material:
Stone exterior

Orginal name and use:
Duval County Courthouse (1914-1960)
Duval Counties 3rd courthouse
Claude Yates Building

Current use:
Tax Collector and Property Appraiser

Address:
231 E Forsyth St
Jacksonville, FL 32202

ABOUT:

A year after the 1901 Fire destroyed the old Duval County Courthouse, a new one had been built facing Market Street between Forsyth and Adams Streets. In 1914, (Duval’s 3rd courthouse, the one still standing today) the need for increased court space resulted in plans for this newer building, also designed in the Neo-Classical Revival style, as an annex to the 1902 building.

 In 1960 Jacksonville lost one of its most distinctive post-fire buildings when the old 1902 courthouse was demolished for a parking lot. At that time, the courthouse annex was converted into a bank.

While the 1902 courthouse was demolished, the annex remained and now houses county government offices. The building was renamed the Claude Yates Building in 1989.

Thanks for reading, I hope this piece finds you well. – Esther Rimert

Esther Rimert

As the owner and creative director of Explore Jacksonville, It’s my hope that you find yourself at ease on our website and that it becomes a helpful resource for all things Jacksonville, Florida.