Be careful the next time you curse a building as a bad piece of architecture. Sometimes looks aren't always what they seem. Here's seven downtown Jacksonville buildings that have been modified beyond recognition. With a little hope, maybe it's not too late to restore a few back to their original grandeur.

3. Akers-Cody Building

170 Hogan Street

An architectural elevation of the once Prairie School-influenced Hogan Street facade. (City of Jacksonville Historic Preservation Office)

Orginally called the Akers-Cody Building, this structure was designed by E.R. Merry Architect and constructed by Griffin Construction Company in 1921. The original facade appeared to be Prairie School. Developed by Akers & Cody of Atlanta, the foundation was designed to support a 10-story structure. However, the two-story first phase was the only phase ever completed. Between 1934 and 1981, the building served as the long-time downtown location of Rosenblums. In 2004, the building was left empty for good when Wachovia vacated multiple structures, in a move to relocate 2,000 bank employees from downtown.

The Akers-Cody Building during downtown’s retail heyday. (State Archives of Florida)

This photoshopped image is included as a “what if” the 1920s Florida Land Boom survived.