Historic restoration, renovation and new home construction in Riverside
The Great Fire of 1901 leveled most of downtown Jacksonville and when ambitious architects moved west to the banks of the St. Johns River, what followed was one of the most remarkable periods of residential construction in Florida’s history. Over the next three decades, so many architects working in so many different styles experimented in Riverside that it became the most architecturally diverse neighborhood in the state.
Platted in 1868 and annexed by Jacksonville in 1887, Riverside encompasses over 30 subdivisions, three major parks and thousands of structures spanning everything from Prairie School bungalows to Colonial Revival mansions. Notable architects including Henry John Klutho and Addison Mizner both left their mark here. The neighborhood joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and was combined with Avondale into a single local historic district in 1998, one mile wide, three miles long and one of the largest historic districts in the country.
M&M Homes has worked throughout the Riverside-Avondale district. We understand what these structures were built to be and what it takes to bring them back, or to build something new that earns its place among them.
AREA CONSIDERATIONS
Planning to build, renovate or remodel a home in Riverside?
Riverside sits within a designated National Register Historic District, which means exterior alterations to contributing structures require review and approval from the City of Jacksonville’s Historic Preservation Commission. The breadth of architectural styles here, fifteen in total across the combined district, means material and design requirements vary significantly by property. We navigate this process regularly and will walk you through every requirement before work begins.
QUICK FACTS
- Annexed by Jacksonville 1887 and listed on National Register of Historic Places
- Most architecturally diverse neighborhood in Florida, with 15 styles represented across the combined district
- Notable architects include Henry John Klutho and Addison Mizne
- The Riverside Arts Market (RAM) welcomes 100+ artists, farmers and makers, as well as 4,000+ visitors every Saturday
- Annual events include Luminaria, the RAP Home Tour and the Garden Tour
- Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP) is one of Florida’s oldest neighborhood preservation organizations
WHAT WE DO IN RIVERSIDE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Exterior alterations to structures within the Riverside National Register Historic District typically require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City of Jacksonville’s Historic Preservation Commission. Interior renovations generally do not require commission review. We’ll help you understand exactly what applies to your property before any planning begins.
Riverside is considered the most architecturally diverse neighborhood in Florida. In the years following the Great Fire of 1901, so many architects working in so many different contemporary styles built here that the neighborhood became a living catalog of early 20th-century residential design. Fifteen distinct styles are represented in the combined Riverside-Avondale district, from Prairie School and Craftsman bungalows to Colonial Revival mansions and Mediterranean Revival estates.
Yes. Matching original profiles, millwork, windows and masonry details is central to how we approach restoration work in Riverside. We source period-appropriate materials and work with millwork suppliers who can replicate original profiles when stock options aren’t a match. Preserving the architectural character of a home, its trim, corner boards, porch columns and other details, is something we take seriously on every project.
New construction in a historic district must be compatible with the existing architectural character of the street and surrounding structures. That means appropriate scale, materials, roof form and detailing. Not a replica, but something that belongs. We’ve built new homes in historic neighborhoods successfully and understand what design decisions lead to a smooth approval process with the Historic Preservation Commission.
Typically four to six weeks for a straightforward Certificate of Appropriateness application. We build this time into every project schedule from the beginning so it doesn’t become a surprise. More complex projects, particularly new construction or significant exterior changes, may take longer depending on the commission’s schedule and any required revisions.
Restoration means returning a structure to its original condition as accurately as possible, matching period-correct materials and methods throughout. Renovation means modernizing a home for the way people live today while preserving as much original character as possible. Many of our projects in Riverside involve both: restoring the exterior and renovating the interior. We’ll help you understand what your home actually needs during our initial consultation.
Yes. We work throughout Riverside, including Five Points, the historic riverfront areas and all sub-neighborhoods within the combined Riverside-Avondale historic district. If your property is in Riverside or an adjacent community, we’d like to hear about your project.
