Riverplace Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Riverplace Tower |
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| Former names | Gulf Life Tower |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Architectural style | Mid-century modern / Structural expressionism |
| Location | 1301 Riverplace Boulevard Jacksonville, Florida, United States |
| Coordinates | 30°19′10″N 81°39′24″W / 30.319403°N 81.656541°W |
| Construction started | 1966 |
| Completed | 1967 |
| Opening | 1967 |
| Owner | Lingerfelt CommonWealth Partners |
| Height | |
| Roof | 432 ft (132 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 28 |
| Floor area | 542,000 sq ft (50,350 m2)< |
| Lifts/elevators | 8 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Welton Becket |
| Architecture firm | KBJ Architects |
| Developer | Capital Partners |
The Riverplace Tower is a tall office building in Jacksonville, Florida. It has 28 floors and stands on the south bank of the St. Johns River. When it was built, it was the tallest building in Florida. It quickly became a famous part of Jacksonville's skyline. In 2012, the American Institute of Architects in Florida honored the building. They listed it as one of Florida's top architectural places.
Contents
History of Riverplace Tower
How the Tower Was Built
The Gulf Life Tower was built for the Gulf Life Insurance Company. Construction started in 1966 and finished in 1967. The building was designed by famous architects Welton Becket and KBJ Architects. It was built by The Auchter Company, a very old construction company in Jacksonville.
When it was finished, the tower was special. It was the tallest building in the world made with a special concrete technique. This technique uses precast and post-tensioned concrete.
Tallest Building in Florida and Jacksonville
The Riverplace Tower was the tallest building in Florida for five years. Then, the One Biscayne Tower was built in Miami in 1972. It was also the tallest building in Jacksonville for eight years. This changed when the Independent Life Building was built in 1974. Even in 2007, 40 years after it opened, Riverplace Tower was still one of the five tallest buildings in Jacksonville.
New Owners and a New Name
In 1991, the Gulf Life Insurance Company joined another company. This meant the Gulf Life Tower was no longer needed. It was put up for sale. The building was 24 years old and needed some updates.
After more than two years, Gate Petroleum bought the tower in 1993. They paid less than the original asking price. Soon after, Gate Petroleum started a big project to fix up the whole building. They spent millions of dollars on renovations. After the updates, they renamed it the Riverplace Tower.
When Gate Petroleum bought the building, only 40% of its offices were rented. But after the renovations, almost all the offices were rented. The building became popular again.
Changes to the Top Sign
The large sign at the very top of the building has changed over the years. When it first opened in 1967, it said "Gulf Life". After Gulf Life joined American General in 1991, the sign changed to "SouthTrust". The building was then known as the SouthTrust Building.
In 2005, SouthTrust joined with Wachovia. So, the sign changed to "Wachovia". This sign stayed until January 22, 2011, when it was removed.
The University Club
From 1968 until 2016, a special club called the University Club of Jacksonville was on the top floor. It was a private club for business leaders. Members could meet clients and hold meetings there. The club also had fitness areas.
What Makes Riverplace Tower Special?
Building Design and Structure
The Riverplace Tower has a unique design. Its outer concrete frame is what holds up the whole building. This means the inside of the building is wide open. There are no extra support walls. Each of the visible concrete beams is made from 14 precast parts. These parts are held together with strong steel cables. The beams stick out 42 feet from the columns. They get thinner as they go up. The concrete on the outside is a light color. This comes from white quartz sand and white cement used in its surface.
Things to See Inside
The Gate River Run Hall of Fame is located on the ground floor. It opened in 2002. You can see items from the famous Gate River Run race, which started in 1978. There is also a short video about the race. Plaques for the 12 people who have been honored in the Hall of Fame are on display.
There is also a public restaurant called The Village Bread Cafe. It is on the second floor of the tower. From here, you can enjoy a great view of the river and the north bank through its large glass wall.
Riverplace Tower's Awards and Recognition
A Concrete "Wonder"
In honor of its 50th anniversary, a group called the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute chose seven amazing concrete buildings. They called them "Wonders." The Gulf Life Tower in Jacksonville was one of them. Other buildings on the list included the Disney World Monorail and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida.
Praised by Time Magazine
An article in Time Magazine about architecture also praised the Gulf Life Tower. It said that the tower, even though it was in a busy part of Jacksonville, was like a "tonic" for the area. It acted as an "organizing beacon," helping to make the area look better. The article said the building achieved "excellence."
Images for kids
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Riverplace Tower from a nearby hotel.
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Riverplace Tower and The Peninsula.
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View of the Southbank, Jacksonville.
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Another view of the Southbank.
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Riverplace Tower.
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