@@TaylorVanBeek I could spend all day in places like that. You actually inspired me to do a little urban exploration myself, that’s gonna be in my next video. Can’t wait to see what you film, will be dope
Those buildings were built by General Electric which owned OPS (Offshore Power Systems) back in the early 70s. I think I still have a news paper that had a big article (a whole section of the paper) about how they were going to build huge floating nuclear power plants and anchor them out off the coast. Probably a bad idea. They used to have a huge overhead crane on Blount Island where the port is in Jacksonville that they sold to some foreign country I think. If you look for old pictures of Jax you can probably see it on the skyline. It was huge. I worked at that building, 7820 Arlington Expressway for about 10 yrs. It was a dump when it had tenants in it. Mold from leaking windows and all kinds of problems. When I first started working there the Secret Service had a suite on the fourth or fifth floor. The FBI moved in in 1978 and occupied the 2nd through 4th before they left and built the new building in 2007-2008 so it was occupied until 2008 when their new building was finished. I worked in the garage, it was a fleet repair facility. Where you were standing behind the garage there was tons of poison ivy outside the fence along that stream/drainage ditch. Either the middle building or far one from the FBI one had a nursing college in it up until about 2010 I believe. Jim's place (the little jazz club in front of the building) was a TGI Fridays when they first built that complex. I think the first in Jacksonville.
Any other info you may have or remember regarding the Secret Service being there? When I was really young, late 80s, my grandfather started a collection agency in one building, but before that worked for Capital Credit in the other building....so he moved next door and become the competition in collections lol... I've always thought he had some connection to the FBI Building bc he was "retired" USAF in Security Service. I have my theories....but that's VERY interesting you mentioned Secret Service..another piece to the 🧩!!! Later he moved the company to another building close to Regency Square Mall...And then eventually sold the company to a Philly man named Jim....So it's pretty funny the Three Oaks Building has that random bar & grill JIMS PLACE. Future proves past....lol Truth is Stranger than Fiction
Nice, looks like fun! The hole between floors was likely a duct chase from the old air handler in the mezzanine. Piping on the top floor poking through the roof are drains for rain water.
I think I remember this building as a kid when it was built back in 1971 or 72 if it was in the Arlington area of Jacksonville but that was the architectural style of many buildings in that era,so it might not be the same building.
So there was two other buildings on the property that were not gutted, walked into the first floor of one of the buildings and if I kept going, I’m sure I would’ve found a zombie! Haha full of mattresses from squatters and trash everywhere. I was to chicken crap to go through the building by myself! Lol
Looks like that place was gutted for pre-demolition but the demolition never happened. Interesting. I wonder, does the federal gov't still own the property?
I don't believe it is. From the research I did, this place has been bought and sold several times since. A company bought the building, demoed it and they were going to build apartments inside the building but never got around to it!
The Federal Government doesn't actually own buildings, they lease all their office space. I'm not sure about stuff in D.C. like the Capitol and White House, etc. I think they built all that stuff so long ago they own all that stuff.
I didn't necessarily have too but there's a path to get in from the back in the marsh and I wanted to check out the creeks back behind the building. Figured why not knock 2 birds out with one stone lol
Magnificent egg-splore. I love how you used a kayak to get there. Dedication.
Thanks man! I've got a new video coming up tomorrow of an old abandoned riverfront restaurant in downtown Jacksonville, FL you'll have to check out!
Awesome and great content. I wished i could get inside of an abandoned place i have been doing
Thanks man! I appreciate the support!
Man that’s living the life right there. I love exploring that kind of stuff. Keep it up with the content brotherman!
Thanks man! I have a blast doing it, that's for sure! I've got another 6 story abandoned business complex I'm going to check out later on today!
@@TaylorVanBeek I could spend all day in places like that. You actually inspired me to do a little urban exploration myself, that’s gonna be in my next video. Can’t wait to see what you film, will be dope
@@iowacampclimbhike6083 Thats awesome man! Cant wait to see your next vid with the urban exploration!
Those buildings were built by General Electric which owned OPS (Offshore Power Systems) back in the early 70s. I think I still have a news paper that had a big article (a whole section of the paper) about how they were going to build huge floating nuclear power plants and anchor them out off the coast. Probably a bad idea. They used to have a huge overhead crane on Blount Island where the port is in Jacksonville that they sold to some foreign country I think. If you look for old pictures of Jax you can probably see it on the skyline. It was huge. I worked at that building, 7820 Arlington Expressway for about 10 yrs. It was a dump when it had tenants in it. Mold from leaking windows and all kinds of problems. When I first started working there the Secret Service had a suite on the fourth or fifth floor. The FBI moved in in 1978 and occupied the 2nd through 4th before they left and built the new building in 2007-2008 so it was occupied until 2008 when their new building was finished. I worked in the garage, it was a fleet repair facility. Where you were standing behind the garage there was tons of poison ivy outside the fence along that stream/drainage ditch. Either the middle building or far one from the FBI one had a nursing college in it up until about 2010 I believe. Jim's place (the little jazz club in front of the building) was a TGI Fridays when they first built that complex. I think the first in Jacksonville.
No way that's awesome! Thanks for all the history! Crazy to see how quickly this side of Jacksonville has declined.
Any other info you may have or remember regarding the Secret Service being there? When I was really young, late 80s, my grandfather started a collection agency in one building, but before that worked for Capital Credit in the other building....so he moved next door and become the competition in collections lol... I've always thought he had some connection to the FBI Building bc he was "retired" USAF in Security Service. I have my theories....but that's VERY interesting you mentioned Secret Service..another piece to the 🧩!!!
Later he moved the company to another building close to Regency Square Mall...And then eventually sold the company to a Philly man named Jim....So it's pretty funny the Three Oaks Building has that random bar & grill JIMS PLACE.
Future proves past....lol
Truth is Stranger than Fiction
Nice, looks like fun! The hole between floors was likely a duct chase from the old air handler in the mezzanine. Piping on the top floor poking through the roof are drains for rain water.
That would make sense!
I think I remember this building as a kid when it was built back in 1971 or 72 if it was in the Arlington area of Jacksonville but that was the architectural style of many buildings in that era,so it might not be the same building.
Yes it is over in the Arlington area! It's crazy they let the building get this bad
I’m waiting to see some Zombies or something man!
So there was two other buildings on the property that were not gutted, walked into the first floor of one of the buildings and if I kept going, I’m sure I would’ve found a zombie! Haha full of mattresses from squatters and trash everywhere. I was to chicken crap to go through the building by myself! Lol
My dad explored one of these and he found some of the files
Yeah they completely got rid of everything inside this building. No files left!
@@TaylorVanBeek Yeah really cool building though
Looks like that place was gutted for pre-demolition but the demolition never happened. Interesting. I wonder, does the federal gov't still own the property?
I don't believe it is. From the research I did, this place has been bought and sold several times since. A company bought the building, demoed it and they were going to build apartments inside the building but never got around to it!
The Federal Government doesn't actually own buildings, they lease all their office space. I'm not sure about stuff in D.C. like the Capitol and White House, etc. I think they built all that stuff so long ago they own all that stuff.
why'd you have to kayak?
I didn't necessarily have too but there's a path to get in from the back in the marsh and I wanted to check out the creeks back behind the building. Figured why not knock 2 birds out with one stone lol
this looks sketchy Taylor!
Sometimes you've gotta risk it for the biscuit! haha