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Riverplace Tower

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Riverplace Tower
Company typeOffice building
IndustryCommercial real estate
PredecessorGulf Life Tower
FoundedJanuary 1, 1967; 59 years ago (1967-01-01) Jacksonville, Florida, United States
FounderThe Auchter Company (builder)
FateRenamed and renovated from Gulf Life Tower to Riverplace Tower
Headquarters
Jacksonville
,
United States
Area served
Jacksonville, Florida
Key people
Welton Becket (architect), KBJ Architects (architects), Gate Petroleum (owner 1993–2014)
ProductsOffice space
Owner1301 Riverplace Owner, LLC (since 2021)
Websitewww.riverplace.com

Riverplace Tower stands as a 28-story office structure located on the southern shore of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. When it was completed, it held the distinction of being the tallest building in Florida and became a prominent feature of Jacksonville's skyline.[1][2] In 2012, it earned recognition from the American Institute of Architects' Florida Chapter as one of the landmarks in Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places.[3]

History

Constructed by The Auchter Company, Jacksonville’s longest-established general contractor, the 542,000 ft2 Gulf Life Tower was completed in 1966 for Gulf Life Insurance Company. The design was a collaboration between architect Welton Becket and KBJ Architects. At the time of its completion in 1967, it was recognized as the tallest precast, post-tensioned concrete building in the world.[4]

This tower held the title of Florida's tallest building until Miami’s One Biscayne Tower surpassed it in 1972,[2] and remained Jacksonville's tallest until overtaken by the Independent Life Building (currently Wells Fargo Center) in 1974. As of 2023, it ranks as the fifth tallest structure within Jacksonville.[1][5]

After Gulf Life Insurance merged with American General Life in 1991,[6] the building was deemed surplus and placed on the market. Although initially listed at $30 million, its aging condition and loss of prime class "A" status resulted in limited buyer interest. Following more than two years without a sale, American General accepted a $9 million cash offer from Gate Petroleum in 1993.[7][8] Subsequently, Gate Petroleum invested millions into renovating the property and rebranded it as Riverplace Tower.[9]

Following refurbishment, occupancy surged from an initial 40% at purchase to nearly full capacity—approximately 95%—within two years, reestablishing its competitive position in the commercial real estate market.[10]

The tower's exterior signage reflected its changing ownership: originally displaying "Gulf Life" (1967), later updated to "SouthTrust" after American General's acquisition (1991), then changed to "Wachovia" following the SouthTrust-Wachovia merger in 2005; this sign was removed in January 2011.[11]

From its opening in 1968 until ceasing operations in 2016, the top floor housed the University Club of Jacksonville. This private club catered to roughly 1,300 members comprising business leaders and professionals by providing networking spaces, conference facilities, offices, and fitness amenities.[12][13]

On October 31, 2014, Gate Petroleum sold Riverplace Tower to CFLC Replace LLC based in Glen Allen, Virginia for $29 million.[14] The property transferred ownership again on December 1, 2016 to LCP Riverplace LLC (also Glen Allen) for $53.4 million,[15] and subsequently on December 22, 2021 to 1301 Riverplace Owner, LLC from Greenwich, Connecticut for $73.2 million.[16]

Design

The building's structural framework incorporates precast concrete floor slabs combined with a cast-in-place concrete core, illustrating a suspended structure approach. Load-bearing responsibilities are managed by the central core alongside external vertical columns, allowing for expansive and unobstructed interior areas. Each side features a pair of tapered columns linked by transverse beams, creating a framework that supports cantilevered floor extensions.

The entire edifice is upheld solely by the external concrete grid, which liberates the interior from structural constraints and permits adaptable space configurations. Every visible beam is assembled from fourteen precast segments held together with high-strength post-tensioned steel cables. These beams extend 42 feet outward from the columns, tapering as they rise and angle inward. The façade’s distinctive hue results from a surface treatment combining white quartz sand and white cement.

Located on the concourse level, the Gate River Run Hall of Fame, inaugurated in 2002, showcases memorabilia dating back to the event’s inception in 1978. This exhibit includes plaques honoring its twelve inductees and features a brief five-minute video summary.

On the tower’s second floor, Savour, a public dining establishment, provides patrons with scenic views of the river and northbank through its expansive glass wall facing north.

Honors

To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute designated seven precast concrete "Wonders," listing the Gulf Life Tower in Jacksonville among other distinguished structures such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development Headquarters and the Disney World Monorail.

In an Architecture feature by Time Magazine, the Gulf Life Tower was recognized as a revitalizing architectural landmark within a challenging district of Jacksonville. It was highlighted alongside San Francisco’s Alcoa building for its outstanding design qualities.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named EMP
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Riverplace Tower" Skyscraper Page website, Database
  3. ↑ Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places
  4. ↑ British Library Direct: Concrete Products 2004, VOL 107; NUMB 10, pages 52-52
  5. ↑ "Riverplace Tower," Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, 2023. Retrieved Sep. 14, 2023.
  6. ↑ AIG website: Company history
  7. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ↑ Peyton, H: "Newboy", page 159. Edwards Brothers, 1997
  10. ↑ Brune-Mathis, Karen: "Barnett's buildings in question" Florida Times-Union, September 3, 1997
  11. ↑ Fletcher, Jon M.: "Watch: Wachovia Signage Removed from Riverplace Tower" Florida Times-Union, January 23, 2011
  12. ↑ Capullo, Lori: "Private Business Clubs in Florida" Florida Trend magazine, September 1, 2011
  13. ↑ Virtual tourist.com: Skyscrapers & Architecture: Riverplace Tower and its little known dining spots
  14. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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