JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A vacant building in Springfield condemned for more than two years is now completely demolished. 

Demolition crews on Tuesday knocked down the remainder of the building that partially collapsed on Monday along North Main Street. 

Nathaniel Coulter was walking back to work when the building partially collapsed on Monday. 

“I’ve never seen anything just fall on its own like that,” Coulter said. “I came back down, and I was looking, and it fell so quick. It happened so fast.” 

According to the city of Jacksonville’s chief of code compliance, they were aware the building was vacant and condemned the property in November 2023 when they noticed the roof had holes and areas collapsing. 

Code compliance told First Coast News that earlier this year the owners of the building worked with the planning development and the office of general counsel on an agreement for a resolution over the structure.

Just last week, code compliance became aware of the leaning wall and immediately contacted the owners for a resolution.

According to code compliance, the owners contacted a demolition company to demolish the structure. Code compliance said owners came in on Monday to coordinate the demolition but the wall fell before anything began.

The Phoenix Arts and Innovation District owned the now demolished building.

They sent First Coast News this statement:

“The Phoenix Arts & Innovation District has been working closely with the City of Jacksonville to prepare for the demolition of the unoccupied and secured property located at 2301 N. Main Street. We believe the recent high winds caused the building’s accelerated collapse before the scheduled demolition could be completed. We are grateful that nobody was hurt and extend our appreciation to the City of Jacksonville’s Municipal Code Compliance Division, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and JEA for their quick response to secure the area before and after the partial wall collapse.”

The Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council also sent First Coast News a statement:

“SPAR appreciates the significant investment the Phoenix team is making in Springfield. These circumstances are obviously unfortunate, but we are grateful that no one was injured and we know the Phoenix team is working tirelessly to revitalize a long-neglected area of the Springfield neighborhood.”

First Coast News is still working to find out when the building was last occupied.