The Raven has so many stories to tell, and as we write her next chapter we are so excited to share her past.

When 525 W Beaver St became available, we saw a unique opportunity to breathe new life into a space long associated with farewells.

The 106-year-old building is believed to be Florida’s first funeral home and is rich with history. It was designed and built by Joseph Haygood Blodgett (1858-1934), an African American self-taught architect and builder. It is one of the last standing commercial properties Blodgett designed in the city.

The building was the original home to The Pratt Funeral Home beginning in 1915-16. The business owner Lawson Pratt, was the second licensed black funeral director in Florida. Many renowned people including groundbreaking American aviator, Bessie Coleman transitioned to the next chapter through these doors.

Restoring the building was like peeling back layers of time, we found old funeral records and many more reminders of the past. We decided to brand as “The Raven” to pay homage to the spooky nature of the building’s history.

Our interior designer Jill Adler, designed each of our 13 rooms with a different theme, each of them  showcasing pieces of the past with modern amenities travelers love. Some of her other work has been showcased in the New York Times. 

Yes, people ask about ghosts. And yes, we embrace the mystery—tastefully. Each room has a story, and we don’t shy away from them. Instead, we invite our guests to be part of the ongoing narrative of the building.

The journey isn’t over. We plan to add a rooftop deck, a speakeasy paying homage to the 1920s, and continue uncovering bits of the past as we go. The Raven is more than just a hotel—it’s a story still being written.

Image from Jax Daily Record