Drenched in historic architecture, San Marco sits on what was formerly known as South Jacksonville and the Downtown area. It is primarily known for its lavish Mediterranean Revival-style homes and San Marco Square. If luxury is what you seek when relocating to Northeast Florida, you’ll find it here in San Marco.
San Marco Community of Jacksonville, FL
A Look Into the Past
Much like the rest of Jacksonville, San Marco was the site of former plantation land. In 1907, this area south of downtown Jacksonville became incorporated as South Jacksonville (Southside). At that time, it was a transit hub for the region. A few years after Atlantic Boulevard opened up in 1910, the population expanded tenfold, allowing even more car and ferry traffic into and through the area. With the construction of the Acosta Bridge completed in 1921, residential developments began to pop up around the area.
When the San Marco development started up in 1925, its upscale reputation brought buyers in droves. In fact, each of the 250 residential lots sold within a few hours of opening up, even though no actual construction had even been performed on any plot of land. Its desirability helped propel it through the bust of the Florida land boom in the early 1920s and even well into the Great Depression.
Unfortunately, by the 1970s, the area began to deteriorate due to urban sprawl. The San Marco Preservation Society formed in 1975 to help preserve much of the community’s history and began the revitalization of the area, including breathing new life into San Marco Square. Today, it boasts a thriving commercial area with plenty of nods to its past.
Demographics
According to Niche.com, the median household income in the San Marco community is $52,657. Just over one-quarter of households include families with children. The median home value for a San Marco property is $329,718, 78.5% higher than the $184,700 national average. They received high marks for their diversity, nightlife, outdoor activities, commute times, and weather. All of this helped propel San Marco onto Niche’s Best Neighborhoods for Young Professionals (#11), Most Diverse Neighborhoods in Jacksonville (#35), and Best Neighborhoods to Live in Jacksonville (#44) out of 169 neighborhoods throughout the Jacksonville area.
Things to Do
San Marco Square offers the best in fine dining, art galleries, and specialty boutiques. Watch live theater in the oldest community theater in the entire country, Theatre Jacksonville. Riverfront Park along St Johns River offers gorgeous sunrise and sunset viewing. The Fountain of Lions harkens back to Venetian architecture. There’s never a dull moment when you stroll through this beautiful area.
If you’re interested in settling into one of the historically inspired homes located in San Marco or any other Jacksonville area community, contact the Welch Team.
