The property found itself in dire straits due to its previous owners, who resided overseas. Unable to maintain the mansion, they accrued over $2 million in liens and penalties related to code violations, leaving the building in a state of disrepair.

In a promising turn of events, the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council has taken ownership of the mansion. With ambitious plans in place, this initiative seeks to not only restore the building’s historical charm but also to strengthen community ties.

The previous owners lived overseas and racked up more than $2 million in liens and fees for code violations because they couldn’t get the building up to code.

Now, the Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council has acquired the home and has big plans to bring it back to life.

The Drew mansion was built in 1909 by Physicist Dr. Horace Drew, the grandson of Jacksonville leader Columbus Drew. some of the unique architectural features include its Tudor-style build and Belvedere on the third floor, with a unique view of the downtown skyline.

“This type of asset is way more important in the community ‘as-is’ than it is to tear it down and build a five-unit apartment complex,” said SPAR president Tyler Grant.

First Coast News took a tour of the home in disrepair. It’s basically down to the studs with graffiti everywhere. There’s evidence of previous owners like an old piano that sits on the second floor and remnants of flowerpot wallpaper on one of the walls.

“There’s a cascading effect of property values and no one wants to live by something that’s fallen in disrepair and dilapidated. More generally, what we at SPAR have tried to do is espouse the fact that architecture is art and people are inspired by beautiful homes,” said Grant.

So what’s next for the Drew Mansion? Grant describes plans for the building to serve as a publicly accessible ‘community living room’ as well as a small business incubator.

Grant says the first floor would have a cafe-like business where visitors can buy drinks and pastries and get together with other community members. 

“The first floor becomes a community living room,” Grant said. “People can come hang out, read a book, get coffee or a beer after playing disc golf, sit on the porch and really take in the architectural feat in this community.”

The second floor will offer office spaces. Grant said the rental fees will be used to cover some of the operating expenses. The third floor is still up to the imagination, Grant said maybe additional offices or an event space for small gatherings.

“We feel like it’s got good bones, good structure… we’ve already raised a good amount of money,” said Grant.

It’s estimated to cost around $1.5 million to renovate the building. 

Because rehabilitation will cost approximately $1.5 million, SPAR is launching the Drew Rehabilitation Fund to support capital and related operating expenses. SPAR is working to secure grant funding at the national, state and City level and seeking donors to support grant match requirements. 

“So having this be something that we spend time and energy to achieve and sitting where it does in our neighborhood as a gateway, we think is a paramount case of curbing demo by neglect, fixing some revitalization principles and inspiring people with architecture as art,” said Grant.

There’s a lot of work to be done to rehab the historic home, SPAR estimates it may take about two years before it’s open to the public. For more information regarding how to support the project, visit the SPAR Council’s webpage  or contact Michael Haskins, SPAR Executive Director, at executivedirector@sparcouncil.org.