49th annual Riverside Avondale Home Tour
49th annual Home Tour
Visit an eclectic mixture of architectural shapes and sizes and see some of the most transformed renovations in our neighborhood. From classic Avondale to new construction, this year’s must-see tour has something for everyone to admire. We hope you’ll join us for this beloved celebration of Riverside and Avondale’s architectural heritage. Get your tickets, plan your day, make dinner reservations, and call this a staycation weekend. Home Tour takes place on Saturday, April 15 from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, April 16 from 12pm to 4pm.
3404 St. Johns Avenue
Owners Michael and Lynn Israel absolutely love their home. Architect Jefferson Powell designed this incredible Mediterranean Revival residence after a trip to Venice. Inspiration came from Italian palaces in 1929.
This is our “Featured Home” of the 49th annual Home Tour and also our “Twilight” property.
2739 Post Street
Built in 1923, this Tudor Revival was shown on the 1950 Sanborn maps as a duplex and recent renovation has brought it back to its original charm. This property is three stories and over 4,000 sq ft with one unit on the first floor and the second unit on the second and third floors combined.
1625 Edgewood Avenue
Owners Michael and Heather Cosgrove are Washington D.C. transplants who have lived in this 1920’s brick Tudor with their daughter Catherine for over 10-years. This beautiful brick home has undergone no additions or major changes to the structure – leaving behind a floor plan of the 1920’s that the family incorporates into their life today.
1454 Belvedere Avenue
This 1922 craftsman bungalow on Belvedere Avenue is defined by the four-street facing french doors that invite the outside into their home and match four backdoors that do the same. Owners Larry and Nancy Robinson retired to Belvedere Avenue after decades of living on Avondale Avenue!
1678 Pinegrove Avenue
This 1941 brick vernacular home features a gable roof and striking front porch with herringbone brickwork, designed by Bernard W. Close, a prominent Jacksonville architect. New owners Tommy & Season Upson relocated to Jacksonville from Nashville and love the walkable neighborhood.
1605 Avondale Avenue
Like many residents, Tom and Stephanie Welchans stumbled upon the neighborhood while on a vacation nearby and immediately started house hunting! Eighteen years later, they are celebrating their home’s “Centennial” anniversary! Built in 1923 by J. Prom, this Mediterranean style house features seven different types of roofing as just one example of its unique character.
2761 Park Street – Plush N’ Prana
The incredible rehabilitation of a retail space built in 1949 is currently Plush N’ Prana on Park. With a vision to create an experience of discovery, style, beauty, elegance, and Love – and to share this experience with others, business owner Claudia Prana worked to honor the heritage of the original construction through rehabilitation.
2609 Park Street – St. Paul’s Catholic Church and School
Celebrating their 100-year anniversary, this is the perfect year to open its doors to the annual RAP Home Tour visitors. For years, this property served as a first-floor church, second-floor school, and third-floor convent for nuns. The main church parishioners visit today was built in 1939. Stained-glass windows designed and installed by the family-owned Rambusch Company in New York City are breathtaking.
1359 Belvedere Avenue
Owner Stephen Stanton attended an Avondale Thanksgiving dinner with friends in 2018 and decided this neighborhood would be his next home. He loves the history, charm, and community feeling of living in Avondale, as well as impacting a small piece of his own history while living in this charming, century-old bungalow. Uniquely, five front living room doors open to the front porch columns, welcoming the neighborhood.
1028 Osceola Street
There is no doubt that owners Ronald Episcopo, Glenn Jones, and “Diva Dog” Emma Jones Episcopo are artists and entertainers when you approach their 1 1/2-story home at 1028 Osceola St. built in 1911. The “wow” in this home starts with the wraparound veranda porch. The exterior of the home is made of concrete blocks molded to look like rough stone as if carved from granite, sometimes called Rusticated Stone. This home is one of the last remaining built entirely with ashlar-simulated concrete blocks that have not been painted over.
3903 Oak Street – The Art House
From its extensive custom woodwork – which starts at the front door – to natural landscaping, this 1922 bungalow is a can’t miss stop. This corner lot is defined by its stained glass work, mirage wallpaper, screened pool, and built-in bookshelves that serve as room dividers. This property will serve as this year’s Art House featuring the Jacksonville Artist Guild. In addition to showcasing the work of local artists JAG members will also be creating original, fresh pieces onsite.
1255 Lydia Court
This New Construction single-family residence is fashioned as a modern farmhouse with design elements that can be found on nearby historic homes, including the property at 2793 Lydia Street, which is the oldest home in the neighborhood built in 1857. Owners Dale and Robin Johnston lovingly chose every finish in the home from floors to doors to tile, appliances, and light fixtures and are thrilled to showcase their new home to the historic Home Tour patrons!
How to Experience the Tour!
As always, there is no one-way to experience the Home Tour. Ticket purchasers get access to each property during the entire two days. Experienced patrons know though, that the best way to get around the neighborhood is without the car! Book a tour today. Each tour includes your Home Tour ticket to the full event to enjoy any home you missed more fully. These will sell out, so book your tour asap!
Classic Bike Tour with ZenCog E-bike Tour with Art Bikes Jax Go Tuk’n TourPurchase your tickets for Home Tour for $25!
(Ticket price jumps to $30 the weekend of the event).