Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 03, 2026
Jacksonville Historic Factory to Gain New Life, Workforce Housing
TLDR
- Kaufman and Oldivai's dual redevelopment in Jacksonville's Springfield district delivers 230 new units, offering a strategic edge in the workforce housing market.
- Oldivai's Project Zero uses factory-built, CLT modules with LEAN/Six Sigma methods, enabling faster, higher-quality construction than traditional on-site building.
- This project preserves a historic brick building while providing affordable homes for essential workers, making the neighborhood more inclusive and sustainable.
- A century-old printing factory will gain three new stories and become 80 lofts, with modular workforce housing across the street in Jacksonville.
Impact - Why it Matters
This redevelopment matters because it directly tackles the housing affordability crisis by creating workforce housing for essential employees like teachers and nurses, who are often priced out of the communities they serve. By combining historic preservation with innovative modular construction, it offers a replicable model for other cities to balance growth and character. The project's speed and cost efficiency could influence future developments, making housing more attainable sooner. For Jacksonville residents, it means a once-vacant corner becomes a vibrant mixed-use destination, potentially boosting local economy and community pride. Moreover, it exemplifies how public-private partnerships can address systemic issues, setting a precedent for sustainable, inclusive urban development.
Summary
Kaufman Real Estate & Consulting, in partnership with modular housing innovator Oldivai, has unveiled a transformative two-site redevelopment in Jacksonville's historic Springfield District. The project will breathe new life into a century-old brick industrial building at Main and 12th streets, preserving its original shell while adding three new stories to create a five-story mixed-use hub. This adaptive reuse will deliver 80 residential loft units, 50 workspace suites, ground-floor retail, and rooftop terraces, totaling 125,000 square feet. Across the street, Oldivai will deploy its Project Zero modular construction model to build 150 workforce housing units targeting the 'missing middle'—teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders earning 80–120% of area median income. The modular approach, using factory-built CLT components, promises faster delivery and cost efficiency, with the workforce housing slated for completion in 16–20 months and the adaptive reuse in 24–30 months.
The project reflects a broader philosophy of balancing preservation with growth, a stance championed by Daniel Kaufman, President of Kaufman Real Estate & Consulting. Having owned the corner since 2019, Kaufman emphasizes respecting history while addressing modern housing needs. Oldivai's COO Susan Gillespie highlights the proven Project Zero model, which was validated in Spokane, Washington, and now brings its net-zero-ready, kit-of-parts methodology to Jacksonville. The combined investment exceeds $75 million, signaling a significant commitment to the neighborhood's revitalization. The project sits adjacent to Andrew A. Robinson Elementary School, within one of the Southeast's largest historic districts, promising to activate a dormant corner and provide much-needed attainable housing near employment centers.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by Keycrew.co. Read the original source here, Jacksonville Historic Factory to Gain New Life, Workforce Housing
