Riverplace Tower, Mid-century modern skyscraper in Jacksonville, United States.
Riverplace Tower is a 28-floor office building on the south bank of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville. Its facade consists of stacked bands of dark blue-black glass separated by white concrete elements that form repeating diagonal braces, creating zigzag patterns across the width. The white concrete comes from white quartz sand and white cement bonded to the surface.
The building was completed in 1967 and was then the world's tallest structure using post-tensioned concrete technology. This engineering breakthrough made it notable during an era of rapid experimentation with new building methods.
The top banner carried "Gulf Life" from 1967, then "SouthTrust", then "Wachovia" until its removal on January 22, 2011. From 1968 to 2016 the University Club of Jacksonville occupied the top floor, with about 1,300 members. The Gate River Run Hall of Fame, established in 2002, sits on the concourse level with memorabilia and plaques for 12 inductees.
The tower stands on the south bank of the St. Johns River, next to Friendship Fountain and the Southbank Riverwalk. Savour, a public restaurant on the second floor, has a glass north-facing wall looking across the river to the northbank. The Gate River Run Hall of Fame on the concourse level displays race memorabilia and a five-minute video.
The concrete elements taper upward and angle outward in a way that creates an unusual pattern unlike typical rectangular towers. This distinctive design was an experimental approach when it was completed, and few other buildings of that era attempted something similar.
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