Summary:
History whispers and elegance awaits at the Raven! Book this lovingly restored early 20th century masterpiece for a night or a year! Dip in our on site 9 month (open March through November) HEATED pool and relax in the adjacent courtyard with a built in gas-powered grill.
The Space:
Welcome to The Ma Rainey — an elegant and soul-rich king-size studio inspired by the legendary Ma Rainey, the Mother of the Blues. During her touring years, Ma Rainey performed in Jacksonville’s historic LaVilla district, a key stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit that shaped early American blues and jazz. This studio pays tribute to her legacy through refined design and blues-inspired details.
This beautifully styled king studio features a luxurious king-size bed, layered with soft linens and expressive, moody tones that echo Ma Rainey’s bold performance style. The space is anchored by an elegant chandelier, adding a glamorous touch reminiscent of vintage theatre halls where she once performed.
The open-concept layout offers a cozy lounge area with a mounted smart TV — perfect for slow mornings, peaceful evenings, or unwinding after exploring Jacksonville.
The thoughtfully designed kitchenette includes a refrigerator, sink, stovetop, microwave, dishwasher, and generous counter space. It is fully stocked with flatware, glasses, mugs, and essential items to support simple cooking and comfortable day-to-day living.
A small closet provides practical storage for your belongings, keeping the space tidy and uncluttered.
A dining table creates the perfect spot for meals or morning coffee, while a separate dedicated desk offers a functional workspace ideal for remote work or extended stays.
For added convenience, the studio includes an in-unit washer and dryer, making it easy to travel light and settle in comfortably.
The bathroom features modern finishes and clean lines that complement the studio’s elegant aesthetic — blending contemporary comfort with timeless inspiration from Ma Rainey’s era.
Every detail in The Ma Rainey has been intentionally curated — from the chandelier to the blues-inspired décor — honoring her musical influence while highlighting the century-old architectural charm of The Raven’s historic building. This boutique king studio offers a stylish, culturally rich stay in the heart of LaVilla.
The outdoor area is curated with an outdoor heated pool, courtyard, and on site parking lot. The outdoor pool area features chaise lounges, umbrellas, and tables with chairs - perfect for enjoying a snack while taking a dip.
The courtyard features an outdoor kitchen with a natural-gas powered grill, a refrigerator, and a food preparation area. It also features a natural-gas powered firepit as well.
The paid parking lot has room for fourteen cars, including one ADA-accessible space. We have a motorized gate at the entrance to the parking area. Please note each lane into / out of the parking lot is 10 ft wide. Oversized trucks, vans, and motor homes will not be able to enter/exit the parking lot because of this width restriction.
Paid parking in our gated parking area is available on a first come / first served basis. As a result, we recommend making a parking reservation as soon as possible in order to guarantee a spot for the duration of your stay. A guest's first car costs $15/day. A guest's second car costs $30 / day. If a guest brings a third car, it costs $45 / day. We are not able to accommodate more than three cars for any reservation / single apartment.
We provide a unique 4 digit code which opens the gate to the parking area, the door to your apartment, and the Beaver St door (secondary entrance - the primary entrance is from the parking lot). We provide all guests with a common code which opens the "Raven Gate" (accessible from the parking area) and the "Blue Door" (the entrance to the building's 1st floor atrium).
We have separate codes for our pedestrian gate which opens onto Beaver St from the parking lot and the gates to the courtyard and pool deck.
Guest Access:
Guests have access to their apartments, all interior common areas, and the pool area from sunrise to sunset. We feature internet-connected smart locks at every common door and for the gates in the courtyard / pool area for added security. We have a team member on site during high occupancy periods and have a team-member stop by every night to ensure the property is secure.
The Neighborhood:
This beautiful property is located in the up and coming LaVilla neighborhood within downtown Jacksonville. At the turn of the 20th century this area was a thriving mecca for African American jazz musicians, on par with New Orleans and Harlem. Famous 20th century musicians such as Ray Charles (who lived less than a quarter of a mile southwest of the property on Church St), Ma Rainey, the “mother of the blues,” often performed in LaVilla, as did “Jelly Roll” Morton, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and many others! The city of Jacksonville is building out a "LaVilla Heritage Trail" with signs all over the area (including on the southwest corner of our off street parking lot) bringing to life the area's storied history.
Nearby neighborhoods include historic Springfield (a few blocks to the north), Brooklyn (a mile to the southwest), historic San Marco (2-3 miles to the south - over the Main St bridge), and historic Riverside/5 Points (less than 2 miles to the southwest). All of these areas teem with local restaurants, boutiques, and bars. The core area of downtown Jacksonville and the stadium district are 1-2 miles to the east and walkable during stadium events to include Jacksonville Jaguars games, the Gator Bowl, the Florida-Georgia football game as well as concerts at Daily's Place.
The Prime Osborn convention center is a mile to the southwest of the property.
Getting Around:
While you can walk around downtown Jacksonville on foot, it is best to have a car or use a ride-sharing app (such as Uber or Lyft) to go from the less densely populated portion of downtown - LaVilla - to the other parts of downtown.
Interaction with Guests:
We have a team member on site during high occupancy period and our office is a few blocks to the north in Springfield. If you need something during the week (9am - 4pm; Mon-Fri) we can typically have someone assist you in an hour or two. Most weekends we will have someone on site during out standard check-in/check-out periods to assist, if needed.
We do have a team members who stops by the property overnight to ensure that the common areas are secure.