Summary:
Indulge yourself with 2 of the Raven's luxurious apts - Sanctuary & Bessie in the "Reliquary Wing." This wing is a "virtual 2 BR" apt with both apts connected via a private passage. Enjoy 1st floor access and two kitchens, one of which includes an oven. Outside, enjoy our heated 9 month (Mar-Nov) pool, on site parking, and a secluded courtyard. This property is less than a mile from the Prime Osborne convention center and 1.5 miles from TIAA Bank Field. We have on-site paid parking.
The Space:
Welcome to the Reliquary Wing at the Raven!
The property is a 100+ year old funeral home reimagined into a boutique "apart-hotel" consisting of 13x apts (8x studio apts, 4x 1 BR apts, and 1x 2 BR / 2 BA apt) with paid on-site parking, a heated 9 month pool, a secluded courtyard, with exquisitely designed common areas featuring commercial-grade wifi, internet-connected locks and security cameras covering the outdoor common areas and both hotel entrances. Every apartment features tall (10-12 ft) ceilings, a kitchenette, and an in-unit washer/dryer.
This listing features our "Reliquary Wing" - the South half of the 1st floor of the hotel.
The Reliquary Wing consists of 2x apartments - Sanctuary and Besse (Apts 1 and 2).
This Wing consists of 2x connected (via a private passageway) 1 BR apts. Arguably the most stunning Wing, this part of the Raven contains the original funeral home sanctuary which has stained glass windows in the living room and the bedroom of this apartment. Bessie - the adjacent apartment includes gorgeous wallpapered windows that used to open onto the hearse parking area (and, before this was built, onto the structure's exterior). This apartment includes a custom-built "California King" bed and is aviation-inspired since it was designed in honor of Bessie Coleman, whose body was prepared in this property following her traffic crash in Jacksonville on April 30th, 1926.
Sanctuary is a curated one-bedroom apartment designed to embody peace, comfort, and boutique-style elegance. True to its name, the space feels like a retreat, highlighted by its stunning stained-glass windows, an original historic feature that casts soft, colorful light throughout the apartment. This rare architectural detail is part of the building’s preserved history and instantly sets Sanctuary apart from anything else in Jacksonville.
Every element has been thoughtfully selected to honor the building’s past while offering the comfort and refinement of modern design.
The outdoor area is curated with an outdoor heated pool, courtyard, and on-site paid parking . 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.
The spacious bedroom features a plush bed, cozy linens, and its own smart TV, creating the perfect place to unwind after a day exploring the city. The living room serves as a second relaxation space with another smart TV, comfortable seating, and elegant touches that echo the building’s character and charm.
One of Sanctuary’s most unique features is the kitchen island, crafted from the restored base of an original coffin — a refined, artistic nod to the building’s heritage as one of Florida’s oldest funeral homes. Beautifully restored and repurposed, it adds an unforgettable historic statement to the fully equipped modern kitchen, which also includes premium appliances and a full oven.
An in-unit apartment-style washer and dryer provides added comfort for extended stays, offering all the practicality of home within this beautifully curated apartment.
The bathroom offers a sense of calm with its large, modern luxury shower, beautifully designed to elevate your daily routine.
Sanctuary combines historic beauty with elevated interior design — offering the charm of a century-old landmark with the sophistication of a boutique hotel. With its stained-glass glow, elegant furnishings, and timeless atmosphere, this apartment provides a one-of-a-kind stay that guests will want to experience again and again.
Bessy was a thoughtfully designed one-bedroom apartment honoring the legacy and spirit of the historic figure highlighted throughout the décor. Warm textures, exposed brick, and preserved architectural elements create an atmosphere that feels both modern and deeply connected to LaVilla’s rich past.
The spacious bedroom features a luxurious California king bed, dressed in soft linens and styled with calming, layered design details that make the space feel serene and inviting — the perfect place to unwind after a day in Jacksonville.
The cozy living area offers comfortable seating and a smart TV, creating a relaxing environment for slow mornings, movie nights, or peaceful evenings in.
Every detail in Bessie has been intentionally chosen to tell a story — from the curated artwork to the exposed brick and preserved architectural features that honor the building’s century-old history. This unit offers a soulful, stylish stay that blends historic character with modern comfort in a truly unique way.
The well-appointed kitchenette is designed for convenience and functionality, featuring a refrigerator, sink, cooktop, dishwasher, and ample counter space. It comes fully stocked with flatware, glasses, mugs, silverware, cooking utensils, and pots/pans, making simple meal prep effortless without the need for a full oven.
The bathroom includes a beautifully updated modern shower, designed with clean lines and contemporary finishes to elevate your daily routine.
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.
An in-unit apartment-style washer and dryer provides added comfort for extended stays, offering all the practicality of home within this beautifully curated apartment.
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.
