Delores Barr Weaver has been awarded a prestigious Urban Land Institute North Florida Award for Excellence in the Reuse/Repurpose category for her work on The John Gorrie a condominium.

Barr Weaver and husband Wayne purchased the former John Gorrie Middle School in 2009 and transformed both buildings that housed the school into a condominium community of 68 residences, each one preserving the history and elements of the former school. The historical renovation, which was completed in 2011, is the largest such undertaking by a private citizen in Northeast Florida.

A panel of distinguished national experts served as judges during the ULI award process:

• Tom Murphy, Senior Resident Fellow ULI and former Mayor of Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C.
• Ed McMahon, Senior Resident Fellow ULI, Washington, D.C.
• Joel Embry, Civic Software, Inc., Fernandina Beach, Fla.
• Bernard Zyscovich, Zyscovich Architects, Miami, Fla.
• Andrew Pedrick, McTigue, Los Angeles, Cal.
• John Rinehart, Cititas Consulting, Inc., Orlando, Fla.

“We were really impressed with the willingness of the Weavers to take a risk and also with the quality of the renovation. It was beyond what any of us have ever seen,” said Murphy. “This project was lovingly done, and it creates lasting value. When people see a project like this, it shows that Jacksonville is a world-class city.”

Great lengths were taken during the renovation to preserve as much of the original building as possible, while ensuring that residents would be provided with modern conveniences that comply with today’s housing standards. The floor plan layouts incorporated recycled elements of the building, such as the original gymnasium floors and exposed brick walls. The former principal’s office serves as a reading room for residents, and hallways display original windows and doors, chalkboards, radiators and a teacher’s mail cubby.

The addition of the project to Riverside Avondale has boosted the economic sustainability of the area, and owners at The John Gorrie will receive an ad valorem tax abatement toward their tax bill through 2021.

The studios, one- and two-bedroom condominiums and two-story townhomes range in size from 800 square feet to 1,800 square feet and are priced starting from the low $100,000s.

For more information about The John Gorrie, call (904) 383-3688 or visit www.TheJohnGorrie.com.