Old Arlington, Inc., appeared before the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission Wednesday, May 24, to request local landmark status for, and preservation of, the Arlington Federal Savings and Loan Building. This building represents the first Mid-Century Modern structure in Arlington proposed for this status.
The building was built in 1961 and designed by Edwin T. Reeder, a prominent Miami architect and one of Florida’s best known during the era. It’s described by Dr. Wayne Wood in his bicentennial edition of Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage:
The building’s façade is a kaleidoscopic array of triangles and diamond shapes, regulated by strong vertical fins. The brise soleil ranks as one of the most inventive concrete structures in Jacksonville, and the series of vertical openings topped by pointed arches translates into a modernist abstraction of a Venetian Gothic palace.
The JHPC was scheduled to consider our formal application for the landmark designation on July 26, but the item was deferred at the request of the property owner, who is opposing the designation.
We remain cautiously optimistic that the JHPC will approve the designation at its meeting on August 23. From there it will go to the City Council for formal approval, at which time we will need the full and vocal support of the Arlington community as well as all who aspire to preserve Jacksonville’s historic structures.
If the City Council does not approve the landmark designation, the Driven Brands, d/b/a Take 5 Car Wash zoning exception [E23-35] to allow an automated car wash, along with an Administrative Deviation [AD23-36] to reduce setbacks and buffers on the site, will be back on the Planning Commission’s agenda, likely in October.