APARTMENTS, HOUSING, etc.

Housing Overview > Area One > Area Two > Area Three > Area Four > Other Places to Stay > Map

Area One. Near Florida Proton.

Downtown & Historic Neighborhoods close to Downtown
5 - 15 minute commute to Florida Proton

After decades of neglect, restoration to downtown and its three historic neighborhoods began in earnest less than twenty years ago. Springfield, the last of the three neighborhoods to be fully revitalized, can boast that more than 1,700 of its 1,800 historic homes have been restored, and hundreds of new homes and apartments are being built. Compared to Historic San Marco and Riverside, both of which are all but finished, Springfield and Downtown are still rough around the edges. But both are safe, booming, actively under development and interesting. Of the 25 or so houses and apartments which house our patients, none are in "apartment complexes," and they change regularly.

DOWNTOWN

Downtown offers a top Symphony, Theaters and Museums; Pro-football and baseball; Major medical facilities; excellent Universities; and a strong Business base. Yet it is small enough and Southern enough to walk and talk a little slower, go fishing and sailing on the river/ICW/ocean, relax on the porch, and smell the roses, and jasmines and magnolias . . . and Coffee as Maxwell House roasts 25 tons at a time, downtown. Life is good.

Downtown is compact and easy to navigate, though it is cut in two by the St. John's River, which can be crossed by bridges or water taxis. It is beautiful, day and night. We have found wonderful housing on the North Bank of the river, close to Proton and great restaurants.

A. The Berkman Plaza 400 E. Bay St. 32202.
Fine condos on the River, in one of the city's premiere residential towers. Only a few of these are available at any time and, of course, there are rules to be followed to insure support by the condo association and the building's residents. This facility has private parking, pool, tennis, gym, office center, & internet cafe. Balconies & W/D in every condo. 24 hour concierge service. A second tower, The Berkman II, is under construction next door. Numbers to call:

B. City Place: 311 W. Ashley St. 32202
Jacksonville has been a boom town for several years, and you can't help but notice the rush to provide suitable downtown housing for the surge in new residents. City Place is a conversion of a 17 story Assisted Living Facility to condos. Several condo owners are pleased to rent their studio and 1 bedroom units to our patients at reasonable rates. Although downtown, the building is not on the river, sitting just a few blocks from what might be considered "central". It is a short walk to the Library, Museum of Contemporary Art, Symphony Hall, The Landing, restaurants, and less than 2 miles from Florida Proton. Building is equipped with 24 hour security, exercise room, laundry room, internet café and coffee shop, and reserved parking. Unfortunately, no pets are allowed.

C. Parks at the Cathedral: 336 E. Ashley St. 32202
A beautifully maintained, gated townhouse community complete with pool, clubhouse, and balconies. Just a few blocks away from the river and walking distance to downtown destinations; very short distance from Proton.

D. Metropolitan Loft Apartments: 421 W. Church St. 32202
Loft-style apartments with a modern, upscale touch. Just a short distance from all the all that downtown has to offer, including The Landing, museums, fine arts, concerts, the river, as well as Proton. Very secure & private, the building offers first class amenities and service. Five units of different sizes are available.

HISTORIC RIVERSIDE AND AVONDALE, AND ORTEGA.

Riverside/Avondale is one of the best restored and prettiest neighborhoods in North Florida. On the river, with beautiful detail to houses and gardens on every street, stately churches and schools and spacious parks, it is in every way pleasant. It is also home to prestigious St. Vincent's Hospital and the wonderful Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, which are worth visiting whether or not you live nearby.

Riverside/Avondale is also one of the best downtown places to eat, shop, and pick up groceries. The Publix Market sits in a small shopping area with a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and services, like dry cleaner and barber. All this is just down the street from historic "Five Points", the site of even more restaurants, unique boutiques, beautiful parks, and the St. John's River.

Ortega is an old, yet decidedly upscale neighborhood bordering the St. John's River and its tributaries. A little further away from Riverside & Avondale, Ortega is shaped by a large tributary; The Ortega River. Decorated with large oak trees, this family-centered neighborhood has wide winding roads and lots of character.

HISTORIC SPRINGFIELD. (EST. 1869)

Jacksonville's oldest neighborhood and home of Florida Proton. The entire square mile of Springfield is on the National Historic Register. Mostly restored, preserved, and renovated, The Historic District runs roughly from 1st Street (downtown) to 12th Street, and nine blocks east from Florida Proton's N. Jefferson Street. The University of Florida Medical School, UF & Shands Hospital, UF Proton, the VA Clinic, and Public Health Department sit on a large medical campus in Springfield's northwest corner.

Springfield is an old-fashioned "front porch" neighborhood, where folks say "hello" to each other and stop and chat. Parks, restaurants, museums, and downtown destinations are all very close by. Patients may also enjoy attending meetings of the Springfield Women's Club, Garden Club, Mommies Club, Wine Society, First Friday, Art Walk, and more. After years of typical urban decline and troubles, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office now rates Springfield as one of the safest among the Jacksonville's many communities. It has been mostly restored and renovated, with some areas yet to be completed.

Most Springfield rentals are within a mile of Florida Proton and just a mile to downtown, the River, or the sports complex, which make it a good place to live for many Florida Proton and UF & Shands staff. Reasonable rental rates reflect the neighborhood's residual rough edges and the genuine kindness towards out patients by local residents.