Ponte Vedra oceanfront home a Clyde Harris?

Earlier this week I remembered Clyde Harris, the "dean of Jacksonville residential architects," (in the words of fellow architect Richard Skinner) who passed away January 17.

I have compiled a list of currently available homes in modern architectural styles. 

The first I'd like to share with you is 347 Ponte Vedra Blvd, currently on the market for $2,700,000 . This home may in fact be a Clyde Harris design. The vintage is right and the home is quite similar to the one which I reminisced about in my earlier post.

The interior-courtyard pool is especially comparable to the one in the Clyde Harris-designed home where I spent so many happy days in childhood.

These homes have a great inherent charm and a purposeful design. They are not everyone's taste, however, and many buyers today tear them down to replace them with larger, more typical designs. For the right buyer who appreciates one and knows how to renovate it, these mid-century homes can be stunning show-pieces.

Clyde Harris, R.I.P.

I just learned that architect Clyde Harris died recently at age 99. The Times-Union has a wonderful article including a quote by Richard Skinner in which he calls Harris "the dean of Jacksonville residential architects." His full obituary is also online.

I most associate Harris with the residential style embodied by a Ponte Vedra oceanfront home owned by the uncle of a close childhood friend. I had many good times there. The home was like a modern Florida villa — comfortable but no larger than necessary, the rooms laid out around a central semi-enclosed courtyard with a pool. The roof sloped gently to a high peak which allowed air circulation in the pool room and a high wall of windows overlooking the ocean. It was truly creative and pleasing. (It has since been renovated beyond recognition, sadly.)

My family spoke of a Clyde Harris style, typified by that home and his Roosevelt Blvd office. To me, his work was a bit of a cross between Mid-Century Modern and the International style.

The funny thing is, it has now occurred to me that Clyde Harris was proficient in a multitude of architectural styles. From the traditional — like the garage apartment addition for a childhood neighbor on Ortega Point or Timuquana Country Club — to the modern styles I described above. I suppose his work that I found more striking was the modern style because it was so different from the ordinary.

I think that I will go through current listings and pull out the more modern architectural homes on the market. Look for that this weekend!

Northbank Riverwalk

On a beautiful day like today it's great to squeeze in a walk on the north bank Riverwalk. Jacksonville's original Riverwalk, a boardwalk along the south bank of the St. Johns River, has been around for decades but only goes along through downtown. The north bank Riverwalk is hard-surface (more suitable for jogging or biking) and can take you all the way from downtown's Hyatt Regency Jacksonville to the Cummer Museum! Well, almost... the riverwalk actually comes to an end beneath the Fuller Warren Bridge, home of the weekly Riverside Arts Market (RAM) and Farmers at Riverside Arts Market (FRAM) — the Cummer Museum is actually two doors down.

At almost all times of day you will see folks taking advantage of the north bank Riverwalk. Some who work along Riverside Avenue use it to take their bikes to and from work. There are so many condo buildings within walking distance of the Riverside terminus of the Riverwalk, including:

• Park Plaza
  
• Broadview Terrace
  
• Broadview Towers
  
• 1661 Riverside
  
• Chelsea Lofts
• San Juline
  
• Park Lane

(Clicking a link will take you to a sample listing in each building.)

I have extensive experience with all these buildings and would be happy to take you on a tour of the available listings in the area. Just contact me, Josh Nugent.

Rookie of the Year!

This week I was awarded Prudential Network Realty's Rookie of the Year for 2009! I will have more to say about this soon. Needless to say, I'm extremely proud and grateful for the recognition.

For now I'll share the video of me receiving the award:



Please contact me if I can be of assistance to you with any real estate question: Josh Nugent

Press Release: Rookie of the Year Josh Nugent

At their annual meeting on January 19, 2010, Prudential Network Realty named Josh Nugent Rookie of the Year for 2009. Josh was extremely gratified to be honored by the company he has admired for so long. When Josh decided to transition from being a realtor for a custom homebuilder to general real estate sales, he considered only one company in all of Northeast Florida, Prudential Network Realty. Throughout his first year with their Avondale Office, Josh has taken PNR's mission of "Extremely Full Service" to heart.

The night before he received his award, Josh held a wine and cheese social inside a listed property in order to acquaint its prospective buyers with their new riverfront condo lifestyle. The buyers invited their friends in the neighborhood to partake of the nighttime view of the city as well as offer tips on the remodeling they have planned. This extra effort put in by Josh Nugent and the other Prudential Network Realty agents he partners with exemplifies going that extra mile in real estate sales.

For sellers, Josh frequently makes custom websites for a listing. In fact, after creating a website for one listing in the Avondale riverfront highrise the Beau Rivage, Josh saw a need and filled it: he developed a website for the whole building focusing on the amenities, the neighborhood, and (yes, naturally) the units currently available for purchase.

Josh has created promotional materials which have been used company-wide. He conceived and promoted a "multiple open house" idea for riverfront properties for sale in Avondale and Ortega. In the Murray Hill area, Nugent and two other Prudential agents have partnered with the neighborhood wine store for regular wine and cheese tastings.  

Josh Nugent is being recognized today as the region's Rookie of the Year. He has also gotten the attention of our national organization, Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. In March he will speak at the national convention in Austin, TX, in a panel titled Top Techniques from Rising Stars. Josh's star is indeed on the rise, proving that hard work and creativity will always pay dividends no matter the conditions of the market. The first few weeks of 2010 have already set a blazing pace which bodes progress for Josh Nugent and all of Prudential Network Realty.

Make the Most of 2010!

2010!

Happy New Year!


I spent last night at a wonderful party atop the very wonderful Peninsula. The Peninsula is one of the condominiums I've been showing a lot to buyers. Purchasing condos can be such a great value right now. The prices are right in condos all over town, so it only makes sense to look into a riverfront high-rise if that suits you.

I did not take along my camera to capture the fireworks (which probably wouldn't have come out all that great anyway), so you'll just have to take my word for it that they looked awesome from the Peninsula's top-floor Apogee Lounge, open to residents for private parties and special events.

I'll share with you the daytime views from various units available at the Peninsula:

If you'd like to have these views for your very own, as always contact me, Josh Nugent.