San Marco Neighborhood (Jacksonville, Florida)

 place with historical importance, neighbourhood, draw only border, residential neighbourhood

One of the more wealthy and desirable neighborhoods in Jacksonville, dating to the 1920s. Named after the Plaza San Marcos in Venice, Italy - though the vast majority of the neighborhood's architecture is not even vaguely Italian. San Marco is a relatively small and generally upscale neighborhood located south of Downtown and north of Mandarin. Due to large differences in property value, income distribution, and reported crime statistics in a relatively small area, San Marco is diverse. In one block, residences range from low cost, multi-family dwellings to sprawling riverside mansions. It is an area of historical and cultural significance in Jacksonville, and its inhabitants and proprietors identify strongly with their community.

Known as a trendy area, the most identifying feature of San Marco is "the Square," an artsy shopping, dining, and entertainment district; its galleries, restaurants, and boutiques are overwhelmingly independently owned, operated, and supported which lends to its vogue. Visitors of the Square are likely to see polite intermingling between young professionals, landed gentry, "scenesters," and "starving artists." Common landmarks are its large statue of three lions and the Art Deco styled San Marco Theater.

Recently, developers have been extending the "San Marco" name to the adjacent Downtown Southbank, in order to increase the appeal of their condo developments.