Financial Times spotlights Avondale!

The Financial Times (of London) features an article on Jacksonville's own Riverside & Avondale! My broker, Sheron Wilson, is quoted. Check it out!

FT: 'Perfectly Preserved' article on historic homes in Riverside Avondale

William Morgan masterpieces available in Atlantic Beach

William Morgan, a Harvard-trained architect who studied under Walter Gropius, has practiced in Jacksonville since 1961. If you've ever walked along the beach in Atlantic Beach you've no doubt noticed his Dune House.



The oceanfront Dune House is currently on the market listed at $1,800,000. This unique property is truly stunning. The pictures say it all...




William Morgan's Dune House was built in 1975 and would be a treasure to own for an architecture aficionado. William Morgan Architects continues designing innovative spaces to this day, such as this 2008 American Institute of Architects award-winner, also in Atlantic Beach: 
This modern showplace, one block from the Atlantic Ocean, is currently on the market for $1,150,000. Built in 2001, this 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom home is supremely livable, making excellent use of outdoor spaces.




Looking at these photos you can almost feel the ocean breezes. And the interiors are stunning as well... 




For more information on these two homes:

William Morgan's 77 19th St Atlantic Beach

William Morgan's Dune House Atlantic Beach

And, as always, if you have any questions about real estate in Jacksonville — from modern masterpieces to short sales, from Atlantic Beach to Avondale (and anywhere in between) — contact me, Josh Nugent. (Link takes you to a form with email and phone contact information.)

1661 Riverside Loft available with only 3% down!

Homepath is a program by Fannie Mae to help get buyers into properties that have been through foreclosure. A loft in 1661 Riverside has recently become available under this program. This 2 bedroom / 2 bath condo in walkable 5 Points is a really great deal. The list price is $179,900 — about $100,000 less than the previous owner paid!

With a rate of 5.5% (a typical current mortgage interest rate) the right buyer could move into this like-new condo, in desirable Riverside for around $5400 down and a mortgage payment of less than $1000 a month!


Of course, I cannot guarantee these figures exactly. I'm merely providing ballpark estimates based on current conditions and the Homepath program's 3% down payment plan. The final terms would have to be determined based on an individual buyer. If this sounds like the right deal for you, I'd love to work with you to achieve the best result possible. As always, just contact me, Josh Nugent with Prudential Network Realty.


It's easy to see a first-time homebuyer or a young professional seizing this opportunity. It's ideally located! 1661 Riverside is across the street from beautiful Memorial Park, a superb public space looking out onto the St Johns River. It's a few blocks walking distance to 5 Points, with all its bars, shops, restaurants — and the 5 Points Theatre! On the first level of 1661 are more restaurants, stores, and a gym. Across the street is a Starbucks, Chinese food, Japanese food, Pizza, and a Publix! Oh, and there's a 5 Guys Burgers & Fries right there! And Mossfire! And O'Brothers! And TONS MORE! Whew... Though I am a huge supporter of Springfield and downtown living, I'd have to say that 5 Points is currently Jacksonville's ideal walking neighborhood.

Maybe it's right for you?

...Oh! AND it's awfully close to the Northbank Riverwalk (and RAM) which I previously blogged about!

Modern Architectural Availabilities in Atlantic Beach

In the Jacksonville area many of the homes built in modern architectural styles are to be found at the beaches. Check out the roof-line of the home pictured above, a 3 bedroom / 2½ bath oceanfront on Beach Avenue in Atlantic Beach. Currently on the market at $1,700,000. For more information on this or any other home in Northeast Florida, please contact me, Josh Nugent.


Next time... 2 amazing homes by William Morgan!

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.