By Michele Leivas
The Lofts at Southbank has cleared the final hurdle with the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB), receiving final approval on the design of its mixed-use development.
The final approval was passed in a 6-2 vote at the Sept. 12 DDRB meeting, with Board Chair Linzee Ott and Board Member Ennis Davis opposing.
The project’s development team presented fresh renderings featuring design updates based on feedback from the board’s July meeting. These included some additional landscaping wrapped around the property and more space between the building and property lines. Group 4 Design, Inc. Principal Karie Kovakocy confirmed that this updated design included a slight decrease in the building’s overall footprint as well as additional greenspace through the parking lot.
“The most space we freed up was actually on Home Street,” she said.
The revised renderings gained approval not only from the board but also from some community members as well. Scenic Jacksonville Executive Director Nancy Powell said the designs presented were an improvement – particularly the updates made to the residential floors.
“I think from a residential standpoint, it’s going to be much more pleasant to live in those units,” Powell said.
Davis said he continued to “struggle” with this project, however, and maintained concerns regarding the façade differentiation, disagreeing with the staff report’s findings on the Home Street frontage.
“Deeper scoring and reveals have been designed for the Home Street elevation, consistent with the condition placed on the conceptual review approval,” the report said.
Davis remained unconvinced.
“When I read through this [staff report], I just kind of disagree with if this project meets façade differentiation,” he said.
The Lofts at Southbank will feature a 10-story building with retail space, self-storage and residential units, including workforce housing as well as onsite parking at the corner of Hendricks Avenue and Prudential Drive in the Southbank area.