Our Meaningful Monday series highlights the character and integrity of the beautiful old buildings in Downtown Jacksonville. This week’s highlight is 100 East Adams Street. The building was built in 1926 as one of twenty-six corner lots that were purchased throughout the city by the United Cigar Store. According to Wayne Wood’s book, Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage-Landmarks for the Future, each building contained nine retail storefronts, with the corner spaces reserved for the cigar stores. This particular building, built in the Mediterranean Revival architectural style, is the best example of the old cigar shops. 

In recent history, the property has been home to several other establishments, including London Bridge and Burro Bar. Currently, owners Elias Hionides of and Tim Hoal are doing a total renovation to the property, which will soon become Hardwicks Bar, the first LGBTQIA+ bar to open in Jacksonville in 20 years. 

Avant was hired by Hionides, of Petra – a boutique real estate and development firm, to do the complete renovation.

Our Meaningful Mondays series honors the beauty and integrity of the beautiful old buildings in Downtown Jacksonville, and highlights projects we are, will be, or have been involved with.

The Jones Brothers Furniture building was built in 1926. According to @thejaxsonmag, the building was constructed out of reinforced concrete and features Mediterranean Revival detailing at its upper level, as well as originally having a suspended canopy over the main entrance. It also features prism glass above the street-level entrance, and a decorative wrought-iron staircase visible from inside the lobby.

In Its hay day, Jones Brother Furniture became one of the largest family-owned businesses and continued into the 80s. Sadly, it has sat empty and neglected for many many years.

Utilizing a combination of new construction and preservation of the existing structures, the project will transform the entire block into an urban mixed-use development consisting of residential and retail tenants. Current plans include 103 apartments, two retail storefronts, and a parking garage. In addition, the development will feature co-work office spaces, a fitness facility, tranquility rooms, and a terrace overlooking Downtown Jacksonville.

Corner Lot Development Group will soon be starting construction and renovation on the property. A new eight-story building will be constructed and an amenity deck connecting the new and historic buildings will be accessible for residents and the public through separate entrances. The two buildings will accommodate 103 apartments, two retail storefronts, and a parking garage. The development also has plans to feature co-work office spaces, a fitness facility, tranquility rooms, and a terrace overlooking Downtown Jacksonville, and will face the #EmeraldTrail, when completed.

The project will be a fantastic example of adaptive reuse and how to bring old and new together, in a unique and impactful design.

Avant Construction Group will be doing the renovation of the existing building.

Bold Line Design and Robbins Design Group are the architects.

We commend Corner Lot and the other developers who are committed to making Jacksonville a world-class city.