Area One - Downtown & Historic Neighborhoods close to Downtown

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Area One. Near Florida Proton

Downtown & historic neighborhoods close to Downtown
5 - 15 minute commute to Florida Proton

After decades of neglect, restoration to Downtown and its three historic neighborhoods began in earnest less than twenty years ago. Springfield, the last of the three neighborhoods to be fully revitalized, can boast that more than 1,700 of its 1,800 historic homes have been restored, and hundreds of new homes and apartments are being built. Compared to Historic San Marco and Riverside, both of which are all but finished, Springfield and Downtown are still rough around the edges. Of the 25 or so houses and apartments which house our patients, none are in "apartment complexes," and they change regularly.

HISTORIC SPRINGFIELD (EST. 1869)

Springfield is Jacksonville's oldest neighborhood and home of Florida Proton. The entire square mile of Springfield is on the National Historic Register. Mostly restored, preserved and renovated, The Historic District runs roughly from 1st Street (Downtown) to 12th Street, and nine blocks east from Florida Proton's N. Jefferson Street. The University of Florida Medical School, UF & Shands Hospital, Florida Proton, the VA Clinic and Public Health Department sit on a large medical campus in Springfield's northwest corner.

Most Springfield rentals are within a mile of Florida Proton and just a mile or so to downtown restaurants and entertainment, the river, the gym, the sports complex, the main library, etc, which make it a good place to live for many Florida Proton and UF & Shands staff. Reasonable rental rates reflect the neighborhood's residual rough edges and the genuine kindness toward our patients by local residents.

DOWNTOWN

Downtown offers a top symphony, theaters and museums, pro-football and baseball, major medical facilities, excellent universities and a strong business base. It is compact and easy to navigate, though it is cut in two by the St. Johns River, which can be crossed by bridges or water taxis. It is beautiful, day and night. We have found wonderful housing on the Northbank of the river, close to Florida Proton and great restaurants.

HISTORIC RIVERSIDE, AVONDALE, AND ORTEGA

Riverside and Avondale are two of the best restored and prettiest neighborhoods in Jacksonville. On the river, with beautifully detailed houses, gardens on every street, stately churches and schools and spacious parks, it is in every way pleasant. Riverside is also one of the best downtown areas to eat, shop and pick up groceries. Publix Super Market sits in a small shopping area with a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and services like dry cleaner and barber. All this is just down the street from historic "Five Points," the site of even more restaurants, unique and edgy upscale boutiques, a series of beautiful parks and the St. Johns River.

Ortega is on the St. Johns River just south of the historic Riverside and Avondale areas. The neighborhood is bordered by the St. Johns River on the east, the Cedar River on the north and the Ortega River on the west, making it an "inland island." The neighborhood features early 20th century homes and giant, mature oaks. It is almost all residential, with a tiny square known as "Old Ortega" housing a small collection of restaurants, boutiques and pharmacy. The neighborhood is also home to the historic and exclusive Florida Yacht Club and Timuquana Country Club.

HISTORIC SAN MARCO

San Marco is located on the Southbank of the river, across from Downtown and Riverside. A trendy place to live for young professionals and families alike, its old historic charm and popular shopping area, known as San Marco Square, is the jewel of the area. Its historic, Italian-influenced architecture stretches along the Y-shaped intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and San Marco Boulevard. At the center of the Square, a large statue of three lions watches over the small park and its classic white bandstand. Artsy boutiques, upscale hobby shops, casual and fine dining and a plethora of other small businesses can be discovered there.