Springfield Preservation and Revitalization (SPAR) has announced its acquisition of the historic Drew Residence, located at 245 W 3rd Street in Jacksonville’s Historic Springfield neighborhood. Built in 1909 for Dr. Drew Horace, the grandson of early Jacksonville leader Columbus Drew, the home features a blend of Tudor Revival, Queen Anne, Spanish Colonial Revival styles, and includes a belvedere. The property serves as a prominent entry point to the neighborhood from Downtown.
The organization’s purchase aims to prevent further decline of the structure, which has experienced significant deterioration despite its landmark status. SPAR plans to restore the building and transform it into a community space with a public living room and archive. Additionally, it will house a small business incubator offering affordable office space for businesses supported by Springfield’s business association.
Tyler Grant, SPAR Board President, stated: “The Drew is quintessentially Springfield: historic, quirky and the front porch of Jacksonville. The way we have acquired the property and our plan to renovate it represent a novel approach to avoiding demolition by neglect and ensuring historic preservation that we hope will be replicable for our architectural treasures both in the Springfield community and throughout Jacksonville. We’re grateful to our community partners, City leaders, and benefactors who took this risk with us. We look forward to creating a community asset that we can enjoy and be inspired by for years to come.”
The estimated cost for rehabilitation is about $1.5 million. To address this need, SPAR is launching the Drew Rehabilitation Fund to support both capital improvements and related operating expenses. The organization is pursuing grants at national, state, and city levels while also seeking donations from individuals willing to contribute toward grant matching requirements.
SPAR acknowledged support from local government officials including members of the Mayor’s Office of Jacksonville as well as Council Member Miller and Council Member Peluso. Partners such as Atlantic Engineering Services, Avant Construction Group, JAA Architecture, and references like Wayne Wood’s “Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage” contributed historical context or technical assistance during preparations for this project.
Upon completion of renovations, SPAR intends for the Drew Residence to serve as an enduring resource within Jacksonville’s Urban Core—a hub for community gatherings and small business development.
