Multiple definitions of Downtown Jacksonville are in common use. Often, the name "Downtown" is used exclusively for the historical core. This is bounded roughly by State Street to the north, Hogans Creek to the east, the
St. Johns River to the south, and the
LaVilla neighborhood to the west. This definition is used, for example, by the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission and their book, ''Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage''. However, the City of Jacksonville and other entities use a wider definition that includes not only the Downtown Core (also known as the Northbank), but surrounding areas on both sides of the river. In this definition, the boundaries are State Street to the north, the St. Johns River to the east, and
Interstate 95 to the south and west. This area covers . Downtown Vision, Inc., which oversees Jacksonville's
downtown improvement district, covers an even smaller area of about 90 blocks in the Downtown Core and Southbank, bounded by Church Street in the north, Market Street in the east, Prudential Drive in the south, and Broad Street in the west. A
historic district encompassing a significant portion of downtown Jacksonville was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 2016. Its boundaries are roughly Beaver Street to the north, Catherine and Liberty Streets to the east, the St. Johns River to the south, and North Pearl Street to the west. This area is significant for its pre-1965 architecture, most of which post-dates Jacksonville's great 1901 fire.
Districts of Downtown Jacksonville and Forsyth Streets located in the Northbank Core
Central Core Also known as the
Northbank, is Jacksonville's traditional city center and what most people associate with Downtown and Jacksonville in general. It is the location of many government offices, including
City Hall, the
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office headquarters, and the
Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse, and amenities such as the
Jacksonville Main Library, the
Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, and the
Jacksonville Riverwalk. Several of the city's largest skyscrapers are located there, such as the
Bank of America Tower, the
Wells Fargo Center,
TIAA Bank Center, and the
SunTrust Tower, and are home to some of the city's major employers, such as
TIAA Bank and CSX Corporation.
The Cathedral District Located in the northeast corner, near Hogans Creek. The 36-block area encompasses 118 acres. It is currently being redeveloped into a leafy, green, vibrant neighborhood where a diverse array of residents can live, work, shop, eat, play and pray. The District extends north to south from State Street to Adams Street and east to west from Main Street to N. Liberty Street. This mixed-used neighborhood is home to many of Jacksonville's landmark churches, including
St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, the
Mount Zion AME Church,
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church, and the First United Methodist Church. Due to the area's close proximity to the former courthouse many of the residential structures have been converted into attorneys' offices.
The Entertainment & Sports District Also known as the East Bay Street District and other names, exists in the southeastern corner of the Downtown Core, centered on East Bay Street. This area was historically industrial before the abandonment of the Jacksonville Shipyards and related industries. Committed to creating an authentic entertainment experience, The Elbow offers a wealth of diverse, walkable and award-winning culinary, nightlife, live music and performance venues. Cultivated around the historic Florida Theatre, The Elbow is one destination that encompasses many diverse restaurants, bars, and breweries. The formal boundaries are Bay Street to Adams Street and Main Street to Liberty Street. The Sports District, also known as the Sports Complex, is located east of the Downtown Core, and contains Jacksonville's major sporting and entertainment venues. Historically part of Jacksonville's
Eastside, it is home to
EverBank Stadium,
VyStar Ballpark,
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena,
Daily's Place Amphitheater,
Metropolitan Park, and the Greater Jacksonville Fair and Expo Center. EverBank Stadium occupies the footprint of the old
Gator Bowl Stadium, which was razed in 1994.
Southbank in Southbank A mixed commercial and residential district on the southern shore of the St. Johns River, directly across from the Northbank. It is closely associated with (and sometimes considered part of) Jacksonville's
San Marco neighborhood. It includes large office towers such as the
Aetna Building, Riverplace Tower, and Baptist Medical Center. Residential towers include
The Peninsula, The Strand, and San Marco Place. There are six major hotels on the Southbank as well as amenities such as the
Museum of Science and History,
Friendship Fountain and the
Southbank Riverwalk. Though historically poorly designed for pedestrians, the city hopes to better integrate it with the rest of Downtown as well as San Marco.
LaVilla A district immediately west of the Downtown Core. Jacksonville's first suburb, the predominantly African-American neighborhood was an independent municipality until being annexed in 1887. The area of the neighborhood north of Adams Street emerged as a mecca of African-American culture, and was home to many venues showcasing black performers, such as the
Ritz Theatre. The southern part of the neighborhood was a major
railroad hub and was also Jacksonville's chief
red light district for a period. :The neighborhood went into serious decline in the 1960s, and has not recovered.
Urban renewal projects commenced in the 1980s, resulting in the loss of many buildings. More recent projects have aimed at bringing commercial development and public amenities to the area.
Brooklyn Located at the far southwestern corner of downtown, it comprises the area south of Lavilla and north and west of
Interstate 95. Originally a residential suburb, it was annexed into Jacksonville in 1887. It is connected to Jacksonville's
Riverside neighborhood by Riverside Avenue. It is home to
Fidelity National Financial,
TIAA Bank, and
FIS corporate headquarters, and other offices. :Commercial and industrial uses became prominent in the 20th century, and many commercial office buildings were constructed along the river. Subsequently, a rift emerged between the office-centered part of the neighborhood on the river and the traditional neighborhood further inland. As a result, in the 21st century the city re-introduced residential zoning and the neighborhood has become the site of
mixed-use developments.
Adjacent neighborhoods •
Springfield •
Eastside •
Arlington •
St. Nicholas •
San Marco •
Riverside and Avondale • Mixon Town •
New Town • Durkeeville ==Architecture==