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. Paid on-site/off-street parking is available for guests with cars.
The Space:
Welcome to Thought, a thoughtfully designed 1-bedroom, 1-bath retreat at The Raven, inspired by Huginn, Odin’s raven of thought, clarity, and insight. Set within a beautifully restored early-1900s building in Jacksonville’s historic LaVilla district, this calming sanctuary blends preserved architectural character with modern comfort.
The interiors feature warm lighting, soft earth-tone textures, and curated décor that creates an atmosphere meant to make you feel cozy, refreshed, and grounded. High ceilings and subtle historic details give the home a sense of openness, while the living area is styled for relaxation—perfect for slowing down and settling in.
The well-equipped kitchenette includes a refrigerator, sink, cooktop, dishwasher, and generous counter space. It comes fully stocked with flatware, glasses, mugs, silverware, cooking utensils, and pots and pans, making simple meal prep effortless without the need for a full oven. A dining table offers a comfortable spot for meals or morning coffee, while a separate dedicated desk creates a functional workspace—ideal for remote work or longer stays.
An in-unit apartment-style washer and dryer adds everyday convenience, allowing you to pack light and feel at home. A spacious closet area provides ample storage to keep your stay organized and clutter-free.
The bathroom is clean and modern, designed with a serene aesthetic to help you reset after a day in the city. Just outside your door, you’ll have access to The Raven’s heated pool, tranquil courtyard, and beautifully designed outdoor spaces—perfect for enjoying fresh air or unwinding during your stay.
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.
Other Things to Note:
To help ensure a smooth, secure, and enjoyable stay for all guests, please review the following important information before booking:
Check-In & Identity Verification Policy
All reservations require the primary guest (the booker) to complete a secure online check-in process prior to arrival. This includes:
-Uploading a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
-Uploading a selfie to confirm identity
-Reviewing and signing our rental agreement
This process is similar to hotel check-in and is required because we do not typically have staff on site. Check-in instructions will only be provided once this process is complete.
If you would like to review the rental agreement before booking, please feel free to contact us.
In some cases, we may also request a security deposit and/or apply a damage waiver fee in accordance with booking channel policies.
Guest Count & Occupancy Policy
Each listing includes a maximum number of guests based on unit type and local regulations. Additional guests are welcome for an added nightly fee:
-Studios & 1 bedroom units: $20 per guest, per night after 2 guests
Please ensure your guest count is entered accurately at booking. We will confirm the number of guests after reservation. If the guest count changes, pricing may be adjusted accordingly. For safety and compliance purposes, exterior security cameras are used to verify occupancy. Unreported additional guests may result in additional charges.
Pet Policy
This is a pet-friendly property. While our cleaning team is thorough, guests with severe pet allergies should be aware that dogs, cats, or other animals may have stayed in the space previously.
Pet fees:
$30 per night, per pet
$150 per week, per pet
$300 per month, per pet
Pet fees are included in the accommodation rate as long as you choose the appropriate quantity of pets when completing a booking. We confirm this with all guests post booking confirmation.
Local Reservation Policy
Reservations under 7 nights from guests residing in the local area may be subject to cancellation at our discretion. We handle exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Early Check-In & Late Check-Out Policy
Early arrivals and late departures are not guaranteed and must be approved in advance. If approved, the following fees apply:
-Up to 1 hour: $25
-1–2 hours: $50
-2–3 hours: $75
-3+ hours: $100 or the cost of an additional night (whichever is greater)
Please do not assume availability without confirmation.
Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property, including indoor and outdoor areas. If evidence of smoking is found, an additional cleaning fee of $500 will be applied in accordance with the booking channel's cleaning and damage policies.
Special Request Policy
Requests for items such as pack-n-plays, high chairs, or other non-standard amenities should be submitted at least 7 days before check-in to ensure availability. Requests made closer to arrival will be accommodated if possible but cannot be guaranteed.
We understand that this is a detailed list, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to review it. These guidelines help us maintain a safe, well-cared-for property and ensure a great experience for every guest. Our goal is always for you to feel comfortable, welcome, and well taken care of during your stay.
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 have a team member who stops by the property overnight to ensure that the common areas are secure.
