ELM CELEBRATES SKYSCRAPER MONTH AT RIVERPLACE TOWER
June is Skyscraper Month and ELM | Ervin Lovett Miller is celebrating with a move to the 18th floor of the iconic Riverplace Tower, located in downtown Jacksonville’s Southbank District. This move is in response to the firm’s growth and enables ELM to better serve our clients, seamlessly collaborate, and enjoy a new and inspiring space for our expanding team.
Skyscraper Month was established in recognition of the imagination and execution of these monumental symbols of human ingenuity. Their impact on our lives has grown significantly over the years, influencing where we live, work, and socialize.
The first modern skyscraper was the Home Insurance Building, completed in Chicago in 1885 peaking at a once-unimaginable 10 stories high. This engineering phenomenon inspired architects around the world to competitively push the limits of design innovation.
Reaching 28 stories, Riverplace Tower was the tallest building in Jacksonville when completed in 1967, then the Gulf Life Tower. The tower’s opening bolstered Jacksonville’s economy, attracting recognizable commercial tenants with its riverside views and proximity to downtown amenities. The building was celebrated for its unique structural system; precast in 15 pieces, structural beams extend 42 feet upward from the center of the building, allowing each floor to be free of obtrusive columns. With a 1960s aesthetic, Riverplace Tower has a timeless quality, thanks to its unique configuration of recessed contours, gradually narrowing profiles, and outward curvatures.
Although it has not been the tallest building in Jacksonville for several decades, (that title now belongs to the 42-story-high Bank of America Tower) Riverplace Tower remains a prominent presence in the city’s skyline. In fact, it was named by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as one of Florida’s “Top 100 Buildings”, as part of their Centennial Celebration in 2012.
While only a few blocks from the previous studio, ELM’s transition has been welcomed by staff and clients who are treated to sweeping views of the river and region from the 18th floor studio.
Taking advantage of its prime location, ELM will open the studio to staff and their families on July 4th to enjoy exceptional views of Jacksonville's annual fireworks show from over 216 feet in the sky. This is the first of many events the firm plans to hold from our new location and we look forward to hosting our clients and friends here for years to come.
“The view has been inspiring. It’s nice to work downtown and be able to see the city from my desk. This is the first time I’ve ever worked in a highrise so the amenities are nice to take advantage of and we can foster new connections just by being in the building. This office feels more serious about how we conduct our business and present ourselves professionally. We have reached another level.”
— MARK PARIANI, ELM ASSOCIATE
