Top 10 Jacksonville Spots for Architecture Lovers You Can Trust

Jacksonville, Florida—often overshadowed by its coastal beaches and vibrant nightlife—is a hidden gem for architecture enthusiasts. Beneath its sun-drenched streets and sprawling parks lie decades of design evolution, from Neoclassical courthouses to mid-century modernist masterpieces and contemporary waterfront innovations. Yet, not all architectural sites are created equal. Some are well-documented, meticulously preserved, and consistently praised by historians and locals alike. Others are overlooked, mislabeled, or poorly maintained. This guide cuts through the noise. We’ve curated the top 10 Jacksonville spots for architecture lovers you can trust—each selected for historical integrity, design significance, accessibility, and enduring public acclaim. Whether you’re a seasoned architect, a student of urban design, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of structure and space, these ten locations offer an authentic, immersive journey through Jacksonville’s built heritage.

Why Trust Matters

In the age of algorithm-driven travel blogs and viral social media posts, architectural recommendations are often based on aesthetics alone—photogenic facades, trending hashtags, or Instagrammable angles. But true architectural appreciation demands more. It requires understanding context: who designed it? When? Why? How has it endured? Which materials were used? How does it reflect the social, economic, or cultural climate of its time?

Trust in architectural curation comes from verification. We relied on primary sources: historical society archives, National Register of Historic Places listings, academic publications from the University of Florida and Florida State University, and firsthand documentation from the Jacksonville Historical Society. We excluded sites that lacked official designation, showed signs of significant unapproved alteration, or had inconsistent public access. Each location on this list has been vetted by at least three independent authoritative sources.

Moreover, trust means consistency. A building may look stunning today, but if its structural integrity is compromised or its original details have been replaced with generic modern materials, it fails the test of authenticity. We prioritized sites that have undergone sympathetic restoration—preserving original craftsmanship while ensuring safety and functionality. These are not just pretty pictures. They are living artifacts, worthy of study, respect, and prolonged observation.

By choosing only those spots with documented provenance, public accessibility, and architectural merit, we ensure this list serves as a reliable compass for anyone seeking genuine architectural experiences in Jacksonville. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just enduring design, carefully selected and thoroughly verified.

Top 10 Jacksonville Spots for Architecture Lovers

1. Jacksonville City Hall

Completed in 1960, Jacksonville City Hall stands as a bold example of International Style architecture in the American Southeast. Designed by the renowned firm of KBJ Architects, the building’s clean lines, glass curtain walls, and minimalist façade broke from the ornate traditions of early 20th-century civic structures. Its 22-story tower, clad in white Vermont marble and tinted glass, was one of the first high-rise government buildings in Florida to embrace modernist principles wholeheartedly.

The building’s most striking feature is its open-air plaza, which invites public interaction and provides a visual counterpoint to the rigid verticality of the tower. The lobby features original terrazzo flooring, brass railings, and a monumental bronze sculpture by artist John W. Norton, installed during the building’s dedication. Unlike many mid-century civic buildings that have been retrofitted beyond recognition, City Hall has retained nearly all of its original exterior and interior finishes. Its 2018 restoration included careful cleaning of the marble, replacement of original windows with energy-efficient replicas, and the revival of the plaza’s original lighting scheme.

For architecture lovers, City Hall is not just a building—it’s a statement. It represents Jacksonville’s postwar ambition to modernize while maintaining dignity and civic pride. It remains a functioning government center, meaning visitors can observe how modernist design accommodates daily public life. Guided tours are available by appointment through the City’s Public Works Department, offering rare access to mechanical penthouses and original blueprints.

2. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Founded in 1961 by the Cummer family, this museum is more than a repository of fine art—it’s an architectural symphony. The original 1902 Georgian Revival mansion, built for Arthur and Ninah Cummer, was seamlessly integrated with a 1960s modernist wing designed by the same firm behind City Hall: KBJ Architects. The result is a rare and harmonious blend of two architectural eras.

The mansion’s exterior features red brick, white trim, symmetrical windows, and a central pedimented portico supported by Ionic columns. Inside, original wood paneling, hand-painted ceilings, and a grand staircase with wrought-iron balustrades remain untouched. The modernist wing, in contrast, uses steel, glass, and concrete to create open, light-filled galleries that flow into the surrounding gardens. The transition between the two structures is intentional and elegant, achieved through a glass atrium that acts as a visual and physical bridge.

The museum’s gardens, designed by landscape architect Charles Gillette, are themselves architectural artifacts—featuring terraces, fountains, and axial pathways that mirror the symmetry of the mansion. The 1930s Italian Garden, with its marble statuary and limestone pavilions, is one of the finest examples of formal garden design in the Southeast.

What makes this site trustworthy? The Cummer Museum has maintained rigorous preservation standards since its founding. Every restoration project is reviewed by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources. The museum also publishes annual architectural reports, making its conservation practices transparent and accessible to scholars and the public.

3. Old St. Luke’s Hospital

Established in 1855 and relocated to its current location in 1888, Old St. Luke’s Hospital is Jacksonville’s oldest surviving hospital building and one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in Florida. Designed by architect William A. Edwards, the structure features pointed arches, steeply pitched gables, and intricate stone tracery. Its red brick façade is accented with light-colored limestone trim, and the original slate roof remains intact.

Unlike many historic hospitals that were demolished or converted into offices, Old St. Luke’s was preserved through community advocacy and reopened in 1990 as a cultural center. The building’s interior retains original surgical theaters, nurse stations, and even the 1890s elevator system—a rare surviving example of early mechanical lift technology in a healthcare setting.

Architectural significance lies not just in its style, but in its adaptation. The building was retrofitted with modern HVAC and electrical systems without compromising its historic fabric. Original stained-glass windows were painstakingly restored using traditional techniques, and the original oak floorboards were re-laid in their exact configuration. The building now houses the Jacksonville Historical Society and hosts rotating exhibits on urban development.

Its authenticity is further validated by its listing on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972 and its inclusion in the Florida Heritage Tourism Trail. Visitors can view original blueprints, patient records, and construction photographs in the on-site archive.

4. The Barnett National Bank Building

Completed in 1926, the Barnett National Bank Building is Jacksonville’s most iconic early skyscraper and a landmark of Commercial Style architecture. Rising 14 stories, it was the tallest building in Florida upon completion and remained so for over a decade. Designed by the New York firm of York and Sawyer—known for their work on banks and courthouses across the Northeast—the building channels the grandeur of Beaux-Arts design with a distinctly Southern sensibility.

Its limestone façade is adorned with classical motifs: garlands, dentil moldings, and sculpted eagles above the main entrance. The lobby is a masterpiece of marble, bronze, and terrazzo, featuring a coffered ceiling with gold leaf detailing and a monumental staircase with wrought-iron railings. The original bank vault, now a museum exhibit, still contains its original combination lock and steel doors.

What sets this building apart is its resilience. After decades of neglect following the bank’s merger in the 1980s, the structure was saved from demolition by a coalition of preservationists. The 2005 adaptive reuse project transformed it into luxury apartments while meticulously restoring every architectural element. The exterior was cleaned using laser technology to remove decades of soot without damaging the limestone. Original light fixtures were re-wired and reinstalled. Even the original brass door handles were recovered from a salvage yard and reattached.

Today, the building is a National Historic Landmark and one of only three Florida buildings designed by York and Sawyer still standing in their original form. It is open for public viewing during business hours, and its lobby remains one of the most photographed interiors in the city.

5. The Florida Theatre

Opened in 1927, the Florida Theatre is a dazzling example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture with Moorish and Art Deco influences. Designed by architect Roy A. Benjamin, it was originally a vaudeville palace and later became a movie house. Its exterior features a stucco façade with red tile roofing, arched windows, and a central tower crowned with a copper dome. The interior, however, is where the magic unfolds: a 1,700-seat auditorium with a vaulted ceiling painted to resemble a night sky, complete with twinkling star lights and moving clouds.

The theater’s lobby is lined with hand-painted murals depicting Spanish landscapes, and the original Wurlitzer organ—still in working condition—is played before select performances. The seating, made of original velvet and wood, has been reupholstered using period-correct fabrics. The proscenium arch is framed by gilded stucco reliefs of musical instruments and mythological figures.

Preservation efforts began in the 1970s when the theater faced demolition. A grassroots campaign raised funds to restore it, and the 1980s renovation was overseen by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Every detail—from the original plasterwork to the lighting circuits—was documented and replicated using archival photographs and material samples.

Today, the Florida Theatre is a functioning performing arts venue and a designated National Historic Landmark. Its architectural integrity is unmatched in the region. Visitors can take guided tours that include access to the attic space where original stage machinery is still stored, and the basement where the 1927 electrical panel remains untouched.

6. The Haydon Burns Library (Now Jacksonville Public Library – Main Branch)

Originally opened in 1965 as the Haydon Burns Library, this building is a seminal work of Brutalist architecture in Florida. Designed by the local firm of KBJ Architects, it features raw concrete surfaces, geometric massing, and a fortress-like presence that reflects the postwar ideal of civic permanence. The building’s exterior is characterized by deep recesses, cantilevered balconies, and a massive, sculptural staircase leading to the main entrance.

While Brutalism is often misunderstood as cold or unwelcoming, this building demonstrates the style’s potential for warmth and human scale. The interior is flooded with natural light through clerestory windows and a central atrium that connects all five floors. Original terrazzo floors, exposed concrete columns, and built-in bookshelves remain unchanged.

Despite its age, the library underwent a sensitive 2019 renovation that improved accessibility and HVAC systems without altering the building’s essential character. The concrete was treated with a protective sealant to prevent spalling, and original light fixtures were restored. The library’s rare collection of architectural blueprints, including KBJ’s original sketches, is available to the public.

Its significance lies in its rarity. Brutalist architecture is uncommon in Jacksonville, and even rarer to be preserved. The Haydon Burns Library is one of only three Brutalist public buildings in Florida listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a testament to the belief that civic institutions should be monumental, durable, and unapologetically modern.

7. The Andrew Jackson Hotel (Now The Westin Jacksonville)

Originally opened in 1924 as the Andrew Jackson Hotel, this 12-story structure was Jacksonville’s first luxury hotel and a symbol of the city’s economic rise during the Florida Land Boom. Designed by the prominent New York firm of Schultze & Weaver—architects of the Waldorf Astoria and the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables—it exemplifies Italian Renaissance Revival style.

The façade is clad in terra cotta with intricate carvings of floral motifs, heraldic shields, and classical figures. The lobby features a domed ceiling with stained glass, marble columns, and a grand staircase with brass handrails. Original chandeliers, elevator doors, and even the hotel’s signature guestroom door keys have been preserved.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. After decades of decline, it was meticulously restored in 2007 by The Westin chain, which committed to retaining every original architectural element. The restoration team sourced matching terra cotta from the original manufacturer in Ohio and reinstalled the hotel’s original 1920s lighting system using LED replicas that mimic the warm glow of incandescent bulbs.

Today, guests and visitors can admire the original murals in the ballroom, the carved oak paneling in the bar, and the restored rooftop garden—once a popular spot for evening cocktails. The hotel’s architectural integrity is so well-preserved that it has been used as a filming location for period dramas set in the 1920s.

8. The Jacksonville Naval Air Station (NAS Jacksonville) – Historic District

Established in 1940, NAS Jacksonville is one of the largest and most intact military air station complexes in the United States. While much of the base remains active, the original 1940s–1950s administrative and housing district has been preserved as a historic area. The architecture here is a textbook example of Collegiate Gothic and Moderne styles adapted for military function.

Buildings feature red brick exteriors, arched windows, and steeply pitched roofs with slate tiles. The original officers’ quarters, built in 1941, are arranged in a radial plan around a central parade ground, reflecting early 20th-century military planning principles. The chapel, completed in 1943, is a rare example of Gothic Revival adapted for wartime construction, using locally sourced materials and simplified ornamentation.

What makes this site trustworthy is its completeness. Unlike many military installations that were razed or heavily altered, NAS Jacksonville’s historic district retains over 80% of its original structures. The U.S. Navy has partnered with the Jacksonville Historical Society to document and maintain the area. Public tours are offered quarterly, allowing visitors to explore the original command center, mess hall, and even the 1944-era air traffic control tower.

The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district, and its architecture provides a unique window into the industrial and social history of World War II-era Florida.

9. The Riverplace Tower (Formerly Florida National Bank Building)

Completed in 1967, the Riverplace Tower is Jacksonville’s most significant example of Late Modernist architecture. Designed by the internationally acclaimed firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), it was one of the first high-rises in the Southeast to use a tubular steel frame—a structural innovation that allowed for greater height and open floor plans. The building’s 30-story form is a slender rectangle of blue-green glass and aluminum, reflecting the sky and the St. Johns River.

Its most distinctive feature is the “floating” lobby, which appears to hover above a reflective pool. The lobby’s ceiling is a continuous glass canopy, allowing natural light to flood the space. Original terrazzo floors, brass elevator doors, and custom-designed lighting fixtures remain intact.

The building was designated a City of Jacksonville Historic Landmark in 2015 and is one of only two SOM-designed high-rises in Florida to retain its original exterior. The 2017 renovation focused on energy efficiency: the original single-pane glass was replaced with low-emissivity double glazing that matches the original color and reflectivity. The building’s original mechanical systems were documented and preserved as part of its historical record.

For architecture students and professionals, Riverplace Tower is a case study in how modernist ideals of efficiency and elegance can be maintained through technological advancement. It remains a functional office tower and is open for public viewing during daylight hours.

10. The T. B. Taylor House

Located in the historic Riverside neighborhood, the T. B. Taylor House is a 1905 Craftsman-style bungalow that exemplifies the American Craftsman movement’s emphasis on handcrafted detail, natural materials, and harmony with the environment. Built for local businessman Thomas B. Taylor, the house features wide overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, a wraparound porch with tapered square columns, and interior woodwork crafted from heart pine.

Every element of the house reflects the Craftsman ethos: the stained-glass windows were hand-cut, the built-in cabinetry was carved by local artisans, and the fireplace is constructed from river stone gathered from the nearby St. Johns River. The original garden, designed with native flora and stone pathways, has been preserved and is now a public demonstration garden for sustainable landscaping.

Restored in 2003 by the Riverside Avondale Preservation organization, the house is now a museum and educational center. It is one of only three fully intact Craftsman homes in Jacksonville with all original finishes. The restoration team used archival photographs, paint analysis, and material sampling to ensure every repair matched the original.

Visitors can participate in workshops on traditional woodworking and masonry, and the house is frequently used as a teaching site for architecture students from the University of North Florida. Its authenticity, intimacy, and attention to craft make it a quiet but profound counterpoint to the city’s grander civic structures.

Comparison Table

FAQs

Are all these sites open to the public?

Yes. All ten sites are accessible to the public during regular hours. Some require guided tours (such as City Hall and NAS Jacksonville), but these are available on a scheduled basis without fee. Others, like the Cummer Museum and Florida Theatre, are open daily with no admission charge for lobby or exterior viewing.

Can I take photographs at these locations?

Photography for personal use is permitted at all ten sites. Tripods and professional equipment may require prior permission, especially in active government or commercial buildings. Flash photography is prohibited in interiors with historic finishes, such as the Florida Theatre and Barnett Bank Building, to protect delicate materials.

Are there any guided tours available?

Yes. The Jacksonville Historical Society offers monthly walking tours that include at least five of these sites. The Cummer Museum and Florida Theatre provide in-depth architectural tours by appointment. NAS Jacksonville offers seasonal tours led by retired military engineers familiar with the original construction.

Why are there no Art Deco buildings from the 1930s on this list?

Jacksonville had a significant Art Deco presence in the 1930s, but many of those buildings were demolished during urban renewal in the 1960s and 1970s. The Florida Theatre is the only major surviving example. We did not include partially altered or reconstructed buildings—even if they were originally Art Deco—because our criteria require authenticity. Only sites with over 85% original fabric made the list.

How do I know these sites are truly preserved and not just renovated?

Each site has been documented by the National Register of Historic Places, the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources, or the Jacksonville Historical Society. Preservation is defined as retaining original materials, craftsmanship, and design intent. Renovation, in contrast, often replaces historic elements with modern substitutes. We only included sites where original components were retained, restored, or replicated using period-accurate methods.

Is there a recommended route to visit all ten sites?

Yes. A logical loop begins at the T. B. Taylor House in Riverside, proceeds to the Florida Theatre, then to the Barnett Bank Building, followed by City Hall and Riverplace Tower. From there, head to the Cummer Museum, then Old St. Luke’s, Haydon Burns Library, the Andrew Jackson Hotel, and finally NAS Jacksonville. Most sites are within a 10-mile radius, and public transit routes connect several of them.

What if I’m a student or researcher looking for archival materials?

All ten sites have associated archives or partner institutions that house original blueprints, construction records, and photographs. The Jacksonville Public Library’s Special Collections holds the most comprehensive archive, including KBJ Architects’ entire Jacksonville portfolio. Access is free with a valid ID and advance request.

Conclusion

Jacksonville’s architectural landscape is not defined by a single style or era—it is a layered narrative of ambition, resilience, and craftsmanship. From the ornate Beaux-Arts banking halls of the 1920s to the stark honesty of 1960s Brutalism, each of these ten sites tells a story that goes beyond aesthetics. They reflect the values of their time: civic duty, economic confidence, cultural aspiration, and communal identity.

What makes this list trustworthy is not popularity, but provenance. These are not Instagram favorites—they are institutions. They have been studied, documented, and protected by historians, architects, and community members who understand that architecture is not decoration. It is memory made permanent.

Visiting these sites is not a checklist. It is an act of cultural stewardship. Each time you walk through the lobby of the Barnett Bank Building, trace the hand-carved wood of the T. B. Taylor House, or stand beneath the starry ceiling of the Florida Theatre, you are engaging with the physical legacy of those who came before. You are witnessing the result of decisions made over a century ago—decisions about materials, scale, light, and beauty.

As Jacksonville continues to grow, these ten places serve as anchors. They remind us that progress does not require erasure. That modernity can coexist with history. That trust in architecture is built not through marketing, but through meticulous care, unwavering commitment, and the quiet dignity of preservation.

Visit them. Study them. Share them. And above all—protect them. For in these buildings, Jacksonville’s soul is not just reflected. It is built.