The Downtown Development Review Board voted unanimously Jan. 11 to approve kasper architects + associates Inc.’s plans for exterior and interior renovations to its office in the Cathedral District.
The Jacksonville-based company’s planned urban studio is at 500 N. Ocean St., at northwest Ocean and Church streets.
The vacant building, constructed in 1982, is nearly 5,000 square feet.
Kasper Land LLC bought the structure for $585,000 in August 2023.
Interior work will begin soon at an estimated cost of $650,000, said Erik Kasper, president and principal architect.
There is no cost estimate for the exterior work.
The Downtown Investment Authority staff could have administratively allowed for the renovation in the historic Cathedral District, but Kasper said he wanted to bring it before the board. The staff recommended approval in its report.
In a letter of support from the Cathedral District board, Ginny Myrick, CEO and president, and Syd Gervin, board chair, wrote:
“We concluded the project will be a significant, positive addition to the neighborhood and meets our Design Standards. It’s very important to our Board that businesses as well as residents seek to reside in the Cathedral District. Kasper Architect’s design and creative night lighting on the exterior captures the feel of the neighborhood exactly.”
Myrick said after the meeting that kasper architects is another new business moving into the Cathedral District.
“We now have more businesses than residents in the Cathedral District,” she said.
Kasper has a core studio at 10175 Fortune Parkway near The Avenues mall.
It plans to maintain that location, Kasper told the Daily Record last week.
The firm also has a branch office in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Kasper hopes the work on the Ocean Street building will be completed in April to mark the company’s 20th anniversary.
The renovation includes adding brick veneer to the Church and Ocean Street elevations, increasing the size of six windows and installing aluminum storefronts for all windows, according to the DDRB staff report.
The gray bricks match the color palette of the Cathedral District neighborhood, Kasper said.