Jacksonville Architecture

When this three-story mansion was constructed for prominent businessman T. V. Porter in 1902, it faced Church Street at the corner of Julia. This intersection was among the most prominent residential areas of Downtown after the 1901 Fire, with the stately home of U. S. Senator James P. Taliaferro across the street from the Porter residence and the mansion of Mayor Duncan U. Fletcher (later U. S. Senator) on the opposite corner. H. J. Klutho, whose Dyal-Upchurch Building and Jacksonville City Hall were being completed that same year, was selected to design the house, which the architect described as "Classic Colonial." The highlight of the building is the grand two-story portico with six Corinthian columns, a serpentine balcony, and a coffered ceiling. The mansard roof originally had a widow's walk. Initially the house featured an ornate one-story veranda on three sides of the house. This colonnaded veranda was removed when the house was purchased in 1925 by the First Christian Church, which moved Porter's home around the corner to its present location. The building is still the finest of the few remaining residences built Downtown after the Great Fire and is one of Klutho's best classical designs. In 1981 it was purchased by KBJ Architects, who restored it for use as their offices.