I think Jacksonville should try to land an NBA team next It's good to see the business structure is coming together there I think Jacksonville Florida is going to become the next hot spot.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/articles/05_05_06/3a.png http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/articles/05_05_06/7b.png

New condo takes height

by Rachel Witkowski

Staff Writer

As the condo market continues to rise in Jacksonville, so does its height.

A design plan to build a high-rise condominium tower, the St. John, will mark the city’s tallest building on the Southbank. Hines, an international private real estate firm and partner South Shore Group Partners, LLC, released the design Thursday at the Aetna Building, adjacent to the future sight of the St. John. The proposed 51-story, 300-unit building was designed by Arquitectonica International Corp.

The building will sit on the corner of Southbank next to the Acosta Bridge and 15 feet from the St. Johns River. Rather than building a typical point tower, Arquitectonica curved the corners of the building to make it equally proportionate from any direction, allowing the wind to flow around it, said Bernardo Fort-Brescia, principal of Arquitectonica.

“We want a very pure building, a very pure shape,” he said. “You want a sense of purity and power in this location and that’s what we tried to create here.”

Each floor has six to eight units and two to four units in the penthouse floors. The unit size ranges from 780 square-foot single bedroom to a 3,400 square-foot penthouse and each includes a curved balcony. Every condo owner will be able to select the design, coloring and flooring of their unit, said Michael Harrison, senior vice president of Hines. The condos will start at $400,000 to about $5 million for a penthouse, said Harrison.

“We really do think we are selecting the best of the best and we hope you will agree,” he said.

At the top of the building is a giant light tower that Harrison said he hopes will become the “beacon for Downtown.” A large pool with a riverfront view and cabana area will be on the top floor of the garage connected to the building. A riverfront fitness center, yoga studio, saunas, spa and tai chi lawn were also included in the proposed design. And a 12-foot-wide riverwalk will be created for public access.

“It’s a one of a kind site in any major city,” said Harrison. “It’s what we believe will be timeless architecture.”

Walter O’Shea, vice president of Hines, said ground breaking is expected to begin in six months and construction should be complete in 2009. Hines is currently taking bids for contractors. The pre-sales for the St. John through Hines is expected to start in mid June, according to Harrison.

Jeffrey Hines, president of Hines, said no matter how many units are presold, the company did not spend a lot of money just to go through the architecture design — the St. John will be built.

“Hines is extremely happy to be a part of the continuing evolution of the city,” he said. “Quality, value and long term perfection are what defines Hines architecture.”

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=45071

I hate to say this, because the height and size is nice, but that is so boringly a "Miami" building that I can't really stand it. YOu can complain about too much medrevival but what about too much Miami - all over Florida. I guess in Jax is will be different than the rest of the fabric, but I am getting really tired of that style.

Jax - Booming
Tampa - Booming
Orlando - Booming
Miami - Booming

Where are all these people coming from?!?!?!?!?

I hate to say this, because the height and size is nice, but that is so boringly a "Miami" building that I can't really stand it. YOu can complain about too much medrevival but what about too much Miami - all over Florida. I guess in Jax is will be different than the rest of the fabric, but I am getting really tired of that style.

I hear you, but I'm not complaining. Other than the tacky top, a slanted and curvy 582' glass tower will be a refreshing change from what has been a skyline dominated by boxy buildings (excluding BOA & Wachovia).

Nevertheless, if I could change anything, I would wack the top off.

I like it. And the model almost makes the top appear to be translucent and backlit, whereas I had thought that it was just a concrete protuberance.

Clearly, I would take it. I just wish there was a different style - the curve is ok actually. I think it is the overall design with the garage, how the tower blends into the garage and the top-hat - which I am sure will be lit with three or four different colors.

Other than that Jax is rocking along. Very impressive. It is one of the few riveres that is wide enough that even if you line it with towers it will not be crowded, just cool

Probably not the most inspiring design I've seen, however, just build it already! I think at the proposed point, on the river, this building will stand out incredibly.

New renderings released by the Times-Union:

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/050506/128057_400.jpg

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/050506/128056_400.jpg

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/050506/bus_tower.shtml

They are nice renderings but the building is a little bit to much Miami style. If Jacksonville, like other Florida cities, comes out of Miami's shadow they'll have to adopt there own style.

What is the current tallest tower in Jax?

St. Johns Hotel & Residences, on the Northbank, is proposed to be 650'. When originally announced, around New Years, developers said it could possibly be as high as 700'.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/viperempire/StJohnsHotel.jpg
(btw, I have no idea of why the rendering looks like this thing will be in the middle of no where)

Ok, I just have to say - once again, I like the height and even the location generally - but come on - look at the white monolith. Please. I was drawing buildings like that back in elementary school (except the silliness on the garage) . .

And as for the Hines project - that is exactly what always worried me about the south bank - sure, look at all the units. Look at how not urban that setting is.
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/050506/128056_400.jpg

Sure, it adds to the skyline, but unless you work in the adjacent building, I bet everyone will drive everywhere from there. It is a shame. That is the problem with the south bank. I have warned about it and gotten ripped by some, but look at the rendering. Maybe reality will be different (I hope) but that is a major issue.

I understand your concerns, but its not as bad as you make it seem. The entire Southbank is accessible to the northbank, via the skyway and the water taxi services both riverbanks. The San Marco skyway station is a block away from the Hines site and Hines is required to connect the project (over the railroad tracks and under the Acosta Bridge) with the southbank riverwalk. This site has also been approved for about 50,000sf in retail, so whenever the market grows to accomodate such a need, you'll see more development there.

Also, Friendship Fountain, River City Brewing, MOSH and the maritime museum are all located on the other side of the bridge and that entire park area is supposed to be upgraded, revamped and renovated in some sort of fashion. Overall, if most of the Southbank projects come to reality, the Southbank will become the pedestrian friendly district you fear it won't, because they're all being built on the surface lots that currently kill pedestrian movement. Plus other than this one (its next to a railroad and expressway), they are all being built right up against the street, with retail at the bases.

One of these days when I get some free time, I'll put together some sort of graphic showing the exact footprint of the new developments and how they fit into the overal landscape.

That would be cool - because right now - to me, it looks like a vertical suburb.

What is the current tallest tower in Jax?
The Bank of America Tower. (617')

Also keep in mind that Hines can option for a twin as was originally proposed. A second tower can help with the urban fabric by further connecting to the riverwalk and adding more retail.

I agree with most everything Smiley has said about that building. Pardon me if I offend anyone, but, I knew when Hines took over that project and brought in Arquitektonica to design it, it would look like bland, Miami-style ripoff crap.....and it does. These people have wasted one of Jax's best available locations to build something truley great and decided instead to fritter that opportunity away. Makes me sick. Meanwhile, Nashville, the country music capital, is getting a stunning 1000 footer. Jax, on the other hand, is getting Miami castoffs (like that St. Johns project in addition to Aetna, and all of that faux Med stuff). :gaah: :gaah: :gaah:

Don't worry no one should be offended. If built, Nashville's tower would be taller than anything in Atlanta, Miami, Houston and Charlotte. Mobile's RSA tower is also taller than anything outside of Miami, South of Atlanta. I'd take it before several of the ones planned in Jax or Florida's other cities. That's great news for these places. However, the architecture of those buildings isn't unique to either city. Their rip offs from skyscrapers in NYC and Chicago, not that there's something wrong with that.

As for me, my major concern in urban development, is how these infill projects meet ground level and interact with the surrounding urban environment, more than what the architectural style is or isn't or how high they may be. Based on that, the St. Johns is better than a parking lot and its construction will extend the Southbank riverwalk, across the FEC tracks, down to Baptist Hospital and possibly San Marco.

If Hines wants to spend their money on what may be percieved a "Miami" design, then so be it. If asked, I'll be the first to stick the groundbreaking shovel in the ground.

The Bank of America Tower. (617')
Okay, that's what I thought. I been to Jacksonville a couple times and thought that BofA was the tallest thanks

Second rendering of planned 68-story tower released

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/050906/128388_400.jpg


The Times-Union

Developers have unveiled a second detailed rendering of a 68-story hotel and condominium tower planned for the intersection of Bay Street and A. Phillip Randolph Boulevard.


The St. John Hotel and Residences, which was first announced at the end of last year, would include 469 condominiums, a 169-room hotel, ballroom, and spa.

Developer Bayard Spector said that he hopes to begin construction on the $200 million project in a year and begin presales of the condos by the end of the summer. At 650 feet, the tower would best the city's current tallest building, the Bank of America tower, by 33 feet.

Units on the condominium levels range from 720 square feet to 1,700 square feet. Spector said that he had not decided whether the lower levels, which have units ranging from 536 square feet to 1,095 square feet would be for hotel use only or be part of a condominium-hotel, which allows residents to purchase units that are rented out as hotel rooms when vacant.

In all, the building will have about 1.5 million square feet of space. A 13-story, 1,200-space parking garage will be built adjacent to the tower.

Well, I still think it is bland, but twilight makes things nicer.

Don't worry no one should be offended. If built, Nashville's tower would be taller than anything in Atlanta, Miami, Houston and Charlotte. Mobile's RSA tower is also taller than anything outside of Miami, South of Atlanta. I'd take it before several of the ones planned in Jax or Florida's other cities. That's great news for these places. However, the architecture of those buildings isn't unique to either city. Their rip offs from skyscrapers in NYC and Chicago, not that there's something wrong with that.

As for me, my major concern in urban development, is how these infill projects meet ground level and interact with the surrounding urban environment, more than what the architectural style is or isn't or how high they may be. Based on that, the St. Johns is better than a parking lot and its construction will extend the Southbank riverwalk, across the FEC tracks, down to Baptist Hospital and possibly San Marco.

If Hines wants to spend their money on what may be percieved a "Miami" design, then so be it. If asked, I'll be the first to stick the groundbreaking shovel in the ground.

Lakelander, I agree that the most important issue is urban development. But architecture is also important. I just wish they had hired a firm (preferably a local one) that would've done a better job of designing a building better suited to Jax. While those towers in Nashville and Mobile that you mentioned iin your post may be ripoffs of Chicago and NYC styles, don't you think that Jax's arch. style is more similar to those two cities (Chi and NYC) than to Miami? However, my complaint was to point out that if Jax is going to get such a promenent addition to its skyline, it should be something that actually fits in with the city's arch. style, is beautiful, and preferably something that is original.

We had this debate on metro Jax a couple of months ago. My view is that I welcome architects from different areas. Mainly because Jax doesn't have its own dominant style. Its hodge podge, just like Tampa, Orlando and most cities. I also believe urban architecture should include a diverse range of styles, thus I welcome outsiders even more.

Btw, I still feel that just because the architects are from Miami, that these buildings aren't "Miami style" buildings. They're basically just forms of contemporary residential highrise architecture. You'll find this style of architecture in several large cities outside of Miami. We tend to give Miami a little more credit than it deserves because its the only comsopolitan metro area in Florida.

Actually, I call it Miami style for a number of reasons - 1) there are so many buildings under development in Miami right now that have similar attributes - far more than any other city I can think of - and these attributes seemed to come into prominence in Miami (even if started somewhere else), 2) the style appears to be an attempt to have some sort of tropical/acquatic feel to it (this is hard to explain, but, like obsenity, I know it when I see it) - which goes to the south florida idea 3) the color and materials are much more in keeping with Florida than other areas 4) it is very reminicent of generic south American condos - and, thus, kinda Miami

There are probably more , but I am tired right now.

anyway, I agree that a city should have diverse styles, but I also think that once you get up tehre in height to monumental status for the city, it would be nice for a little more consideration to be given rather than simply erecting a monolith - though, if it ends up in cluster it may work better

I have to agree with Smiley. Lake and I have debated this elsewhere, but I do think that these designs are clearly the product of Miami architects and really do not fit in in Jacksonville. The structures just dont seem serious enough for me to be so tall. It seems to me that Jacksonville has generally more stately, reserved buildings (although with some terrible examples to the contrary like Modis).

My concern is that, if these buildings come to fruition in the proposed form, they will become a new paradigm for future developments in Jacksonville and thus we will have been conquered, architecturally, by South Florida. I say adhere to the more conservative, traditional American architecture in Jacksonville.

Outside of a few buildings, I find most of the highrise structures in Jax bland at best. Imo, we could definately use more glass and non-box shaped towers in the skyline. Imo, most local architects have done the city a disfavor by not pushing the design envelop. One of the things that made Jax great in its early days was the desire to experiment with architecture. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, good architecture is in the eye of the beholder. Some favor traditionalism, some favor modernism, I favor a mix, especially since there is no "Jacksonville style of architecture" and its an urban area. Riverside, Springfield and San Marco, to name a few, have their own styles, but downtown never did and never should. Its one of the few spots in town where architectural diversity should be embraced.

What we refer to as traditional today, certainly wasn't when Klutho was alive and kicking. All of those prairie school structures were considered progressive. The same goes for mid 20th century, in Taylor Hardwick's Modernist heyday. Somewhere we've fallen off the wagon and it probably falls in line with the era that saw Tampa, Orlando and Miami, leave Jax in the dirt, in regards to rapid population growth and when downtown took a turn for the worse.

These are some of the reasons why I really don't get caught up on it too much. To me, the more pressing concern is how these things come together to complement the urban scene around them. My viewpoint is the same towards projects going up in Tampa and Orlando, as well.

Yeah, but you must agree that there is a certain "feel" and "flair" of South Florida architectural taste and in my opinion Jacksonville does not and shouldn't follow that path. We should, as RiversideGator I believe stated, form our own style and taste because we are not Miami, South Florida or South Beach; not that it matters, but if this trend continues, we will have skyscrapers that are similar to South Florida's; and we don't want that. We don't want to look or be similar to South Florida (Miami) and don't need to. Look at Fort Lauderdale's skyline; even though it is 30 miles to the north, it has developed its own style architecturally (primarily office building design, the residential towers still are borderline "Miami style.")

MODIS, in my opinion has an excellent architectural style. I've always admired the design of MODIS. It was the paradigm of its time.

I guess, I'm not ready to call typical contemporary residential highrise construction "Miami" style architecture. "Miami" style is recognized as MiMo (Miami Modernism). Neither of these resemble that.

MiMo examples
http://www.gonorthbeach.com/Master_Plan/images/mimo_hotel.jpg

http://www.gonorthbeach.com/Master_Plan/images/mimo_apt.jpg

Btw, MODIS is basically a glass box (not to say that I don't like it). Its very similar to several american towers built during that era. The most unique thing about it is that it was one of the state's first skyscrapers of significant height.

I guess, I'm not ready to call typical contemporary residential highrise construction "Miami" style architecture. "Miami" style is recognized as MiMo (Miami Modernism). Neither of these resemble that.

MiMo examples
http://www.gonorthbeach.com/Master_Plan/images/mimo_hotel.jpg

http://www.gonorthbeach.com/Master_Plan/images/mimo_apt.jpg

Btw, MODIS is basically a glass box (not to say that I don't like it). Its very similar to several american towers built during that era. The most unique thing about it is that it was one of the state's first skyscrapers of significant height.

MODIS (f.k.a. Independent Life) was the tallest building in Florida when it was completed.

Don't know too much about the Nashville project, but i assume they're including the antenna in the height. Nice project though.

FloridaFuture, for the record, no proposed tower in Jax is in the middle of a field. In the original rendering, they didn't show the expressway, so I guess this is a step in the right direction. However, for some strange reason, developers keep producing renderings that don't show the things located next to their sites.

That whole Signature Tower deal sounds a little pie in the sky to me, but I dont have the heart to tell it to the Nashville people. I hope it gets built though. I like the look. I dont know why we cant build something like that in Jax.

That hasn't stopped the Charlotte forumers on UP from pooh-poohing the project.

I think they're actually a little worried. ;)

Dale: Actually, I hope Sig gets built just to take some of the wind out of the Charlottean's sails. :lol:

What? Charlotte's not the greatest place on Earth???? :nuts:

All of the unwarranted arrogance emanating from Charlotte is really amazing to me, especially coming from so many who had absolutely nothing to do with its growth.

^^People from Charlotte, and all of NC really, have always had that kind of a superior attitude (in general) since I can remember. Texans have always been teased about that, but I find people from NC and GA much worse. Like when Jax was awarded the NFL Jags (Charlotte, who had been in competition with Jax and had just been awarded their team the Panthers), Charlitans :) were very insulting and dismissive of Jax (and even FL in general). They made fun of Jax for being redneck and small, among other things. The media up there made it clear that they wanted Baltimore or St. Louis to get the team so they could feel big league. One Jax reporter who was confused about the venom coming from Charlotte commented that he had visited that city and hadn't noticed any of their streets paved with solid gold. They also grasp at straws, for example I was visiting relatives up there and a local family struck up a conversation with us. When they found out we were from FL, the husband made the comment that "y'all have bad tasting water down there" as though every person in the state has bad water. When we told him that we live in rural areas of the state and that our water comes from artesian wells, and that it tasted very good, he actually looked shocked and disappointed. OVER WATER! How lame is that? Anyway, a guy I used to date (key words "used to") has moved to Charlotte from Atlanta. He should be right at home in that place.

Let 'em say what they will. This weekend my wife and I decided to do something spontanious. So we hopped on the Amtrak in Tampa and went to Jacksonville for an overnighter. What a nice weekend trip! We stayed in the Hyatt Regency and rode the Amtrak back home this morning. I'd do it again in a hearbeat. In fact we're going to Seattle on Amtrak later this summer. Will be passing through Jacksonville but not without remembering our one night get-away. I like Jacksonville. Here's the view from the Regency downtown and one from the train as we left.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/HemiRoy/DSC00030.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/HemiRoy/DSC00053.jpg

Hannibal, sounds like you all had a wonderful getaway. Those can be the best kind. Once the planned transportation hub is built downtown it will be even better. It will provide much better access for visitors.

closed, continue here:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=8754066#post8754066

Closed?

Hi. I´m colombian. I like to travel to Jacksonville every year, in that city live my sister with your husband and two children.
Jacksonville is a important city from Florida state, maybe I will be living when my sons will be adults.
gustavo donado

Great shots Hannibal. I love the vew of downtown Jax from the north.

I've still been meaning to to the reverse and come spend a weekend in Tampa but haven't had the chance.

TU rendering
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/032506/122605_400.jpg

Fast facts (according to diagram)

34 stories (33 story building + Heliport)
201 four star hotel condo units
187 residential condos (above hotel)
2 level lobby & street level retail

bird's eye view
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/JoeLight-4.jpg

Parking garage (corner of Hogan & Bay)
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/9940/joelight14la.jpg

Parking garage up close (the top floors of the garage will be condo units)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/JoeLight-2.jpg

Diagram
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/JoeLight-3.jpg

last, but not least, Jim and Jason have been working with Google Earth to create a 3d version of downtown. This view contains the proposed tower.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/GoogleEarth.jpg

Good find, Lake. Kuhn loves his helicopter.

I like it !

Over 400' maybe ?

Probably right at 400' or so. It looks like the Heliport level should get it up there.

I certainly don't want to offend anybody, but is it me or do the majority of Jacksonville's developments seem uninspired? A few of the new towers I saw had style, but for example, the 68 story building...not too much going on there. The Peninsula also just seemed boring. Why doesn't Jacksonville insist on some architecturally significant designs to give that city an identity all its own? Again, many of you are going to disagree with me, but I felt compelled to share my opinion.

^^I think your right for some/most of Jacksonville's projects but Jax has some nice ones too. The above project is very interesting and nice. Also the St. John's river tower looks like a sweet project, tall and an interesting design. But its not like Tampa is doing a whole lot better, maybe just a little better.

Ruben: I agree. It would be nice to have an iconic structure for Jacksonville rather than the same old bland glass or stucco structures. For modern iconic structures, I always think of the pyramid in San Francisco or Seattle's Space Needle. Of course, any of the old school skyscrapers in NYC (or some the great post-modern Atlanta skycrapers) would be great too. And, I dont mean an exact replica of a building somewhere else, but something that is obvious to all that it is Jacksonville they are looking at.

Or, I would love to see something like Mobile's RSA Tower built here in Jax:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y265/gleegie2/Mobile_skyline_from_I10.jpg

I went to Jacksonville earlier this week and was very impressed. I admit to knowing nothing about the downtown projects, but whatever the two in this photo (from Monday) are, they're looking great. The last time I was downtown about a year ago there was some abandoned dockside seafood restaurant down there.

http://web8.3essentials.com/rasaya.com/bork/jax314.jpg

Nice shot, Zimna. The two are the San Marco Place (the shorter 21 story building) and the Strand (the taller 28 story building). Beside the Strand will be the 37 story Peninsula (construction just begun) and beside that will be the 40 story Vu.

Great shot.

when will the st john start constrcution? is it a likely projetctt to get built or will it most likely get cancelled. i love it!

The St. John is already approved and into sales. Hines is financially backing this project, so its a go. A few months ago they increased the tower's height to 51 stories (originally 43). Its scheduled to break ground later this year.

Other than that, Berkman II (23 stories) just recieved its building permit so construction should start any day now, if it already hasn't, and River Watch (35 stories) should break ground before December.

The St. John is already approved and into sales. Hines is financially backing this project, so its a go. A few months ago they increased the tower's height to 51 stories (originally 43). Its scheduled to break ground later this year.

Other than that, Berkman II (23 stories) just recieved its building permit so construction should start any day now, if it already hasn't, and River Watch (35 stories) should break ground before December.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but what about the courthouse ? *runs away*

courthouse? las time I heard, Mayor Peyton's lastest plan was to split the courthouse into two, constructing half now on the new site and renovating the old riverfront location. This is the worst scenerio because the old courthouse riverfront property would still be used by the city and once the second half is constructed, the cost could easily topple $500 million for this project, which was orginally scrapped two years ago because of a $300 million price tag. The longer they wait, the higher its going to cost to build it.

At this point, I'm holding out hope that nothing happens, until we get a new mayor (election time is less than a year away) or the entire project officially dies and the city sells the 6 blocks of moonscape to developers for a massive infill project.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but what about the courthouse ? *runs away*
Dale, just run. Nike could use it as a commercial as a purpose to run. I've never seen a project get so fudged over by one person so many times in so few years. Hell, we have potential mayoral candidates that could run just off that issue and nothing else and still do well.

There have been better options and better choices waltz right past his nose only to find the ideas get the silent treatment like an immature pissed off spouse.

Liek lake said, we're holding out that the project stays stalled until a new mayor gets elected next sping. Of those that we know that are officially running, and those behind the scenes that are going to run, the courthouse issue will get taken care of if elected to office. And we know their heart is in it as well.

I think a lot of people thought Peyton would be the second coming of Delaney, and that's how he got elected to begin with. Unfortunately it apparently didn't quite work out that way. Hopefully Jax with get a new mayor who knows how to handle a quagmire like the courthouse fiasco.

I have some questions, so hopefully one, or some, of you Jax people can answer them for me. I drove thru Jax today and saw that the Gate building now has the Wachovia name across the top. What happened to Gate? Are they in a different building? Who now leases what used to be the Wachovia building? I also read that Fidelity is bringing a lot of jobs to Jax. Is this the Fidelity that is based in Jax, or the other Fidelity based in Boston? Also, are there any plans to fix up that aging Avenues mall? It's not looking so hot, inside or outside.

On another topic, I noticed that the two condo towers on the Southbank are topped off. Not as tall as I had hoped, but still a nice addition. Also good to see Riverside's skyline developing into downtown's third little cluster of highrises.

I drove thru Jax today and saw that the Gate building now has the Wachovia name across the top. What happened to Gate? Are they in a different building?

The Wachovia Building downtown on the Southbank was previously the SouthTrust Building (before Wachovia purchased SouthTrust) and before that the Gulf Life Tower. It has been owned by Gate for some time now, but has never been the HQ for Gate Petroleum. Gate is based on the Southside off of San Jose Blvd.

I also read that Fidelity is bringing a lot of jobs to Jax. Is this the Fidelity that is based in Jax, or the other Fidelity based in Boston?

Actually, we now have Fidelity National Financial (a Fortune 500 company based in Jacksonville on Riverside Avenue) and Fidelity Investments (from Boston) who is moving 1,200 jobs to Jacksonville over the next 4 years. Their operation will be located on the Southside.

Also, are there any plans to fix up that aging Avenues mall? It's not looking so hot, inside or outside.

There have been rumors of plans to add to the mall, but I dont think anything concrete has ever been announced.

On another topic, I noticed that the two condo towers on the Southbank are topped off. Not as tall as I had hoped, but still a nice addition. Also good to see Riverside's skyline developing into downtown's third little cluster of highrises.

There are at least 2 taller condo towers in the pipeline on the Southbank, one of which is under construction and one of which is in sales. There are several others planned. The Southside skyline will rival the Northbank skyline before too long.

By the way, for more detailed info on projects in Jacksonville, see here:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/

Speaking of shopping malls, are there any new retail developments under construction or proposed for the westside of town. I am planning to move out to Macclenny next year and I think the closest shopping mall to me is the Orange Park Mall(about 20-30 min).

There are no new malls planned for the Westside. The closet thing going up would be Oakleaf Town Center, a massive power center off of Chaffee Road in Arglye. Btw, the Avenue's Mall was just renovated inside last year.

There are no new malls planned for the Westside. The closet thing going up would be Oakleaf Town Center, a massive power center off of Chaffee Road in Arglye. Btw, the Avenue's Mall was just renovated inside last year.

Thanks for the info. Lakelander. Btw, I have a lot of family in Lakeland.

Here's a new rendering of the proposed Laura Trio garage on the corner of Adams and Laura Streets.

http://www.coj.net/NR/rdonlyres/exiqgoq3ixy7meqczcdh2aci2gp7fxtyunbunre7vk6rtypaglu2frsjvdskgaeye76t72x2alm35re4tgs64jpevcc/DRC0-COVER-500px.jpg

Thanx for all the info RiversideGator. It was Fidelity Investments that I had heard about adding those new jobs, but was confused that it could be the Fidelity based in Jax (who has, of course, already been adding new jobs). Nice to hear a major new company having operations in Jax. I wonder if this means they'll open a new investment office there, too. I have investments with Fidelity, but always in the past I had to go all the way to Orlando if I wanted to visit their office. I suggested to a representative of the company that FI should open an office in Jax some years ago, so maybe they are listening to my advice .:jk:

However, I still don't know who is leasing the old Wachovia building. Didn't that place used to be called Enterprise Center, or something, back when it was built in the '80's? Just curious.

Also, speaking of retail, how is that lifestyle center on the Southside coming along. I know some people who've been there to eat out, but I've never found the time to go. I may have already asked this, but has the retail portion begun construction yet. I've also heard that Jax is the largest city to never get a Federated department store. Why is that? Even G'ville and Tally each have a Macy's (not that I'm all that in love with Macy's). Even when Burdine's was the "Florida store", you never saw one in Jax. Hopefully Jax will get some major high-end retailers, because getting them seems to be a right of passage to big citydom.

St. Johns Town Center is doing just fine. The first phase of high end retailers opened a little over a year ago. The second phase recently broke ground back in June.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/56/57/

I've also heard that Jax is the largest city to never get a Federated department store. Why is that? Even G'ville and Tally each have a Macy's (not that I'm all that in love with Macy's). Even when Burdine's was the "Florida store", you never saw one in Jax. Hopefully Jax will get some major high-end retailers, because getting them seems to be a right of passage to big citydom.

We have been debating this at MetroJacksonville.com. Basically, we have decided that Federated has become low brow anyway with the addition of so many chains which they have acquired that we dont care if we ever get a Macy's. We are more in favor of a Nordstroms or Neiman Marcus in phase 2 of the St Johns Town Center. Rumors are we will at least get one of these department stores then (opening 2008) along with some other high end retailers. We will see. As for Burdine's, I guess they didnt consider us to be in Florida. :)

However, I still don't know who is leasing the old Wachovia building. Didn't that place used to be called Enterprise Center, or something, back when it was built in the '80's? Just curious.

If you are refering to the tower diagonally across from the Landing at Water and Hogan, this is still leased by Wachovia along with other tenants, including some law firms. Wachovia still has a significant presence in downtown Jacksonville.

More parking at Landing a step closer
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin..._4226552.shtml

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/riverwatch/122605_400.jpg
Parking agreement allows Cameron Kuhn to proceed with the River Watch project.

What this parking agreement does:

1. Allows Jax Landing LLC to purchase riverfront surface lot from city for $4.7 million. Jax Landing owners plan to construct a mixed use project that will include 1,000 space parking garage.

2. Parking settlement gives the green light on Cameron Kuhn's 35 story River Watch project. Kuhn plans to break ground later this year on the hotel/retail/condo development.

3. River Watch will include 375 parking garage spaces for the Landing, freeing the city of its 20 year parking obligation to the landing.

4. The city will use the $4.7 million from the Landing land sale for pedestrian improvements to the Main Street Bridge, including the demolition of the bridge's off ramps, allowing for more redevelopment.

5. The city will use $600,000 from the Humana Settlement to improve Frienship Fountain and park on the Southbank and an additional $600,000 for the mayor's downtown greening initiative.

6. $858,000 will also go to replenish the countywide economic development trust fund.

JEDC approves $900K grant for old Barnett National work

The Business Journal of Jacksonville - 1:35 PM EDT Thursday

The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission approved a recommendation Thursday from the Jacksonville City Council to grant $900,000 from the city's Historic Preservation Trust Fund to help pay for the renovation of the Barnett National Bank building.

Kuhn 112 West Adams LLC will invest $27.5 million in the 160,000-square-foot building at 112 West Adams St. that Orlando developer Cameron Kuhn bought in October for $4.95 million. The first and second floors will be restored to their original likeness and will house retail space. The third floor will be dedicated to commercial space and the rest of the 18-story building will have 105 condominium units ranging in size from 600-1,250 square feet and starting at around $200,000.

Barnett National Bank was built in 1926 and was the tallest building in Jacksonville until the 1950s. It has been vacant and without utilities for several years. Kuhn estimated that it will cost $9.8 million to renovate the interior and exterior of the building.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_housing/Barnett-July2006.jpg
The Barnett is already under reconstruction

It's great to see city hall finally moving with the flow of things instead of against them. If they'd keep this up, I can only imagine how much could be accomplished.

Thanx for the info on St. Johns Town Center RiversideGator and Lakelander. I find one thing curious, however. It sounds to me like a major highend department store has not definitively been announced for the second phase. That's unusual, isn't it. Hopefully it'll be a "biggy" like Neiman's or Nordstrom. Both stores have a sinificant presence on Florida's retail scene, but not the northern half of the state, so it would be nice to have something new here. Nordstrom's would make particular sense since they have a distribution center in Alachua county.

Riverside, I also agree with your statement about Macy's being "lowbrow". Although I wouldn't have called Burdines highend, I did like its layout and atmosphere at its G'ville store much better than I do now that its Macy's. It's too stark and cheap looking. It has the ambiance of a Sam's warehouse or Dollar General.

Lake, great updates on what's going on downtown. Good to hear Friendship Fountain will get fixed up. Also good to hear that the city's agreement for parking spaces with the Landing will FINALLY be obligated. And, best of all, the progression of the Barnett building (possibly my favorite Jax oldie) getting a new life. :cheers:

Sunstorm, I've been told the announcements and developments of those department stores were not supposed ot be a part of phase two but were considered their own phase in itself. This gives many of us hope that word will come soon regarding them. It's already known that the developer has been in talks with those high end retailers for some time now.

Shipyard's Phase 1 Tower finally announced!

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6310/shipyardstower1ks7.jpg

- 38 story/328 unit tower with 7 story parking garage
- 25 to 40k of street level retail space
- 130 slip marina
- designed by Arquitectonica

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/081606/bus_shipyards.shtml

^^I've been seeing those renderings on the local evening news of the new shipyards project. So glad there's a new developer on this project, maybe now it'll get done. Also glad to see that the tower pictured above will be a part of the first phase. The more talls, or semi talls, built, the more impressive Jax's skyline will be (obviously!). :)

Viper, thanks for the mall info. I'm still not sure what to think, however. I've been hearing about these "talks" to bring truly upscale national retailers to Jax for years. I know about the time the Avenues was under construction there were plans for a Deerwood Center, or something, and it was rumored that a Saks was going into one of these malls. The rumors have swirled for years. Maybe Jax is getting big enough now that these retailers can't ignore it anymore and it will finally get something.

Is it just me or does anyone else notice a striking resemblence between the Wachovia Tower, (former Gulf Life, Riverplace Tower), and the first tower proposed by the Shipyard Development. The lines are a little more curved, but overall to me these buildings are very similiar in design.

What difference does it make? None, I guess. I'd just like to hear some other opinions.

I noticed it. Its appears to be a modern art deco version of Riverplace Tower.

Really reminds me of Aqua (I think that is the name) which is in planning in Chicago. In a good way. Not fond of the base, though.

City reaches deal with Main Branch to develop old library

The Business Journal of Jacksonville - 9:53 AM EDT Friday
by Kirstin Dorsch

Almost 18 months after the city called for development bids on the Haydon Burns Public Library site, Main Branch LLC has reached an agreement with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission to buy the site for $3.25 million, city officials said.

The price and development plans are in line with the company's original proposal for a mixed-use residential, retail and office complex with a grocery store. Main Branch would maintain the 41-year-old building and add two or three floors for residential space.

Tony Allegretti, partner at Main Branch, said the final price tag for the development should be between $8 million and $17 million. Best case scenario, he said, Main Branch would add 80,000 to 100,000 square feet to the building's 120,000 square feet.

Ron Barton, executive director of the JEDC, said because the agreement is a cash closing, it will be settled within 60 days of City Council approval. The agreement requires Main Branch to begin significant construction within one year after council approval or the city has an option to buy back the property.

"As soon as we close the building, you will see work being done," Allegretti said. Main Branch hopes to finish construction in late 2008.

Environmental issues that had plagued negotiations with two other companies were not a stumbling block with Main Branch, Barton said. Peterbrooke Chocolatier Inc. decided in March not to pursue the project because the building required $500,000 to $750,000 in environmental remediation, including removal of 55,000 square feet of asbestos and removing and replacing an underground heating tank leaking petroleum.

Barton granted Main Branch permission to access the 110,000-square-foot building before agreement discussions so it would "know the attributes of the building prior to entering any formal negotiations."

Allegretti said this access allowed Main Branch to "get a grip on the project from an eyeball perspective" and confirm that contingencies built into the original proposal for environmental issues would cover the necessary work.

The agreement is a great step forward for Downtown development, Barton said, as is Main Branch preserving the building and its original use as a public building with street-level retail.

"This provides momentum for continuing development off the waterfront and into the central core," Barton said. "We will see many more adaptive reuse projects in the central core, Brooklyn and LaVilla over the next few years. It won't just be waterfront development."

Main Branch was the third company to negotiate with the JEDC over developing the building at Ocean and Adams streets.

The city accepted bids on the property in spring 2005 and the JEDC chose three finalists in June 2005: Atkins Group Inc., Peterbrooke and Main Branch.

Initial negotiations with the Atkins Group, which bid $5 million for the property and planned to tear down the old library and replace it with a $40 million mixed-use facility, fell through in fall 2005.

Peterbrooke had offered $1.5 million and proposed converting the building into retail and manufacturing space.

"We thought the project was a micro version of the downtown master plan," Allegretti said. "We always felt good about that, each failed negotiation before us had us working harder to make sure we can pull it off."

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2006/09/04/daily25.html

Lakelander --- Whereabouts was the rendering for the Main Branch LLC proposal for the old library posted ---it's been so long ago, I've forgotten what it looked like, but I remember liking it. It's probably in this thread somewhere.

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/061705/78360_400.jpg
existing Haydon Burns Library

http://img83.echo.cx/img83/2916/oceansquare10pb.jpg
a rendering of the Atkins Group proposal

By RYAN GEDDES
The Times-Union

The Downtown Committee has picked three of the five proposals for the redevelopment of the Haydon Burns Library site and is sending them to the city's Competitive Sealed Proposal Evaluation Committee for further examination.

--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------

Atkins Group Inc., Peterbrooke Chocolatier and Main Branch LLC received the highest scores, but the committee decided the scores were so close that CSPEC should conduct interviews with company representatives to make a final decision.

Out of a possible 100 points, Atkins Group scored 68.18 points, Peterbrooke Chocolatier scored 62.71 points and Main Branch scored 56.54 points. The other two bidders, Police & Fire Pension Fund and Vestcor Cos., received 20.71 points and 50.17 points, respectively.

The city has scheduled a tentative date of July 8 for the CSPEC interview sessions.

The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission requested bids on the library in March. The 1960s building becomes available when the city opens the new Main Library on Hemming Plaza later this year.

Read more about the next phase of the library bid process in tomorrow's Times-Union.

ryan.geddesjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/061705/bus_business.shtml.
Dr.T, is this it?

http://jacksonville.com/images/041605/69349_400.jpg

same site, different development group. Atkins (the midrise project) dropped out of the race after they were made to feel like their project wasn't wanted (many in city hall want to see the old modernist library preserved). The second bidder, Peterbrooke Chocolate dropped out after finding out the site had some environmental issues.

Anyway, Main Branch, the third place bidder still wanted it, so now its theirs.
Main Branch LLC wants to convert the 40-year-old building into retail, loft office and residential space that would retain the building's iconic 1960's look and feel. The developers would build 20 condominiums on top of the building, which the group's architects say was originally built to accommodate additional stories.

Main Branch comprises downtown property owner Robert van Winkle; developer and downtown consultant Tony Allegretti; Brooklyn Arts & Design Center founder Mark Rinaman; architects Melody and Bill Bishop; and Jack Shad, co-developer of the Five Points Theater project in Riverside.

Melody Bishop worked with the Haydon Burns Library's original architect, Taylor Hardwick, and designed the recently-opened Riverwalk extension.

Shad said the group believes it can develop the property without city incentives.

"Downtown is reaching the point where the market can take over," said Shad.

The group envisions a restaurant and nightclub on the ground floor of the building's south side, along Forsyth Street, and is talking with small grocery store operators about a market or bakery on the north side of the building, said Rinaman.

http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041605/bus_18493841.shtml

Thanks guys. This library project is very nice, especially since they are working with the original architect to preserve to 60's look of the building (boy, he must be getting up in years, but I'm glad Mr. Hardwick is still around to contribute). Initially, I was for the Atkins Group proposal because of the higher density, but I am really happy that this heritage structure will be saved. I think it will give a nice ambiance to that intersection with the excellent street interaction they are planing.

The Main Branch guys are a real pro inner city group, based off their previous projects, so I'm sure this one will turn out well. Out of all three finalist, it was the only that preserved the building, while adding retail uses at street level. On top of that, they plan to add 2 to 3 floors on top of the structure, to add a residential component. It should be interesting to find out who will be the tenants attracted to this location.

While I much prefer the Atkins proposal (it was BY FAR the best looking of the proposals), I can live with the one that won since they are committed to downtown and will help bring in good retail and restaurants. My only regret is that this horrible building will now survive another 30-50 years. :puke:

"RiversideGator While I much prefer the Atkins proposal (it was BY FAR the best looking of the proposals), I can live with the one that won since they are committed to downtown and will help bring in good retail and restaurants. My only regret is that this horrible building will now survive another 30-50 years. "
September 9th, 2006 08:04 PM

This building is not only horrible it is also an eyesore. I absolutely cannot see why so many people are behind saving this uninspired box of a building. Well, RiversideGator, maybe in 50 years this building will be a historic art peice.

This building is not only horrible it is also an eyesore. I absolutely cannot see why so many people are behind saving this uninspired box of a building. Well, RiversideGator, maybe in 50 years this building will be a historic art peice.

I keep thinking that maybe I am being stubborn and just missing something. Then, I will drive or walk by again and be reminded that yes, it still sucks. It is a pity that pieces of garbage like this are preserved while nice, historic structures like the Annie Lytle school will probably come down. :sleepy:

Its been a little while since I gave an update of what's be happening around downtown. Here's a few new projects:

East San Marco (not really downtown) - will include a Publix and 27k sf retail at street level with 125 condos on top.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/san_marco_render/sanmarco_presentation18.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/san_marco_render/sanmarco_presentation16.jpg

241 Ashley
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/241-AshleyStreet.jpg

Berkman Plaza 2 - 23 story condo tower
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/Berkman2.jpg

Residences at Citi Place - conversion of 1950's era tower into workforce condo units. Condos prices start at $60k
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/CitiPlace.jpg

The Metropolitan - conversion of office building into apartments
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/Metropolitan.jpg

YMCA building - long abandoned, now being renovated into office building
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/ymca-side.jpg

218 Lofts - long abandoned, now being turned into lofts
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/218Adams.jpg

The Peninsual rises, while the Strand is just about complete
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/Peninsula.jpg

San Marco Place is topped out
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/SanMarcoPlace.jpg

Hendricks Avenue Streetscape - will turn street into pedestrian friendly link from Southbank to San Marco Square
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/Hendricks.jpg

Everbank Plaza
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/Everbank.jpg

No courthouse, but here comes its garage. At least it has street retail and takes up a former surface parking lot.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/CourthouseGarage.jpg

Cameron Kuhn's Barnett restoration. Lofts will start in the low $200ks
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/TheBarnett.jpg

I'm envious of all those rennovations of older buildings. I wish Tampa would've learned to do that. The condos starting at 60k are awesome. I also wish Tampa would have some cheap high-rise housing like that. Good job Jacksonville.:)

Excellent pictures! How for from San Marco Square will the new publix and condo project be on Atlantic?

1 block. Its at the corner of Hendricks and Atlantic.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/san_marco_render/SanMarcoPublixAERIAL.jpg

I'm envious of all those rennovations of older buildings. I wish Tampa would've learned to do that. The condos starting at 60k are awesome. I also wish Tampa would have some cheap high-rise housing like that. Good job Jacksonville.:)

Like Tampa (btw, the Maas Bros demolition still hurts me), through the decades Jacksonville demolished a good amount of its historic structure. Luckily, the dark era of downtown came to an end, with a decent number still remaining and developers finally taking advantage of their potential. While Jax doesn't have the number of new highrise proposals like Tampa, Orlando or Miami, it makes up for it with the amount of historic preservation projects in the works.

Well done. I really like what Jax is doing - it is a great mix that will serve it well once the shine of being new wears off some of those buildings

I am also interested in the below street parking - how prevalent is that?

Love the pics, Lakelander. I'm curious if the Metropolitan project will have balconies added.

Well done. I really like what Jax is doing - it is a great mix that will serve it well once the shine of being new wears off some of those buildings

I am also interested in the below street parking - how prevalent is that?

The central core of downtown sits on a hill and although it exists in a few places, like city hall, its not common.

Love the pics, Lakelander. I'm curious if the Metropolitan project will have balconies added.

I don't think so, but I've never seen any exterior renderings. Here's the website:

www.jaxlofts.com

Here's a few more updates of projects currently under construction:

Churchwell Lofts - warehouse along Bay Street being converted into lofts
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/ChurchwellLofts.jpg

interior shot of first floor retail area
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/ChurchwellLofts-interior.jpg

20 West - loft conversion, with Loop Pizza Grill at street level. This has to be the slowest restoration project I've ever seen
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/20West.jpg

Laura Trio - conversion of 11 story Florida Life, 10 story Bisbee and 2 story Marble Bank Buildings into mixed use project. Local Developer recently sold buildings and garage site to Cameron Kuhn, who's developing the Barnett Lofts across the street.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/LauraTrio.jpg

Haydon Burns Library - City recently finalized sale of building to Main Branch LLC. Main Branch plans to immediately start renovation of building into mixed use structure that will include a specialty grocery store, retail and 3 levels of condos added to the top of existing 3 story building.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/downtown_update/2006/10/HaydonBurns.jpg

Here's a few random night shots off the Metro Jacksonville website
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/DT/IMG_0211.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/DT/IMG_0212.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/DT/IMG_0214.JPG

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/night_shots/dsc_0027.jpg

Wow! Great update, Lake. Thanks for posting those great pictures.

Those night photos are fantastic, especially the dusk shot! Great work!

Hello,

I'm new to the forum, I was able to find you guys through google. I'm glad to see this strand!! I live downtown, and both my wife and I are involved in real estate projects downtown as well. I look forward to talking more with you guys.

Downtowner2007

Shouldn't the Kuhn project be starting soon ?

Also, saw a nice rendering of St. John in the latest issue of Florida Travel and Life.

Hello,

I'm new to the forum, I was able to find you guys through google. I'm glad to see this strand!! I live downtown, and both my wife and I are involved in real estate projects downtown as well. I look forward to talking more with you guys.

Downtowner2007
Well, welcome to the internet's largest forum discussing the world's cities and highrise architecture...

Shouldn't the Kuhn project be starting soon ?

Also, saw a nice rendering of St. John in the latest issue of Florida Travel and Life.

Hopefully. The city finally completed the Landing parking deal that frees up both projects.

^Welcome!^

Shouldn't the Kuhn project be starting soon ?

Also, saw a nice rendering of St. John in the latest issue of Florida Travel and Life.

http://www.kuhncompanies.com/userimages/b9b0a888bd2e05091392c70aad81114b.jpg
Riverwatch at City Centre

An article in this week's Jax Business Journal had the following to say about Kuhn's downtown Jax projects:

1. One12 - that's the new name for the 19 story Barnett Building loft conversion.

2. Riverwatch - the 35 story condo/hotel tower across the street from the Landing will break ground in December.

3. Laura Trio - Kuhn has a contract to by this loft conversion project from the Fund. He plans to restore the 11,10 and 2 story historic buildings, but something bigger is in the works for what was supposed to be a midrise parking garage next door.

Good move for Farmers Market, city

The 68-year-old Jacksonville Farmers Market has no plans to close, but to make sure, owners are asking for city help to relocate next door.

Late Wednesday, the city said it would do what it could. That's a good move.

Here's the situation: The Farmers Market operates on 8 acres at 1780 W. Beaver St., about a mile west of downtown in an industrial area. Beaver Street Fisheries, connected to the property under an overpass, has owned the market since 1985. It intends to develop a $33 million processing and freezer facility on the site in a venture with another company. That means the market must move, and soon.

The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission approved up to $335,000 in city incentives for the freezer project. With state help, the incentive grows to $715,000 in training, tax credits and grants. Assuming City Council approval, construction must start by Jan. 2.

But the Farmers Market is a separate entity and financially breaks even, at best, said Jeff Edwards, Beaver Street chief financial officer. The company wants to shift it to adjacent property.

The plan is to not disrupt the vendors who rent the more than 150 spaces on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. About 30 year-round vendors are joined by 20 to 30 more each day.

It's a colorful, rustic and friendly place, a cobbled-together collection of open-air sheds and buildings. It's the kind of unpretentiously busy atmosphere that is developed, not recruited.

Customers include restaurateurs, produce market and cruise operators, grocers and shoppers like you and me.

Edwards wants to not only move the market but improve it. The location qualifies for special incentives because it's in an area targeted for government economic development aid.

Edwards doesn't say the farmers market will close without help, but he doesn't say it won't, either.

"It's definitely a close call," he said. "Without the incentives, it would be a much harder call to make."

His meeting Wednesday with commission executive director Ron Barton apparently will bear fruit. "We are going to look at anything we can do to help it be successful," Barton said. The city's Northwest Fund is a logical start, but he couldn't estimate to what extent.

Meanwhile, two passionate and influential downtown advocacy Web sites lobby for a market move downtown. Metrojacksonville.com and urbanjacksonville.info launched a full-swing e-mail campaign this week.

They say a Farmers Market would renew downtown and its neighborhoods, bring together diverse people, create active public space, provide economic opportunity, shape growth, minimize sprawl and promote public health by providing fresh, affordable food.

Edwards appreciates all that but responded that Farmers Market Inc. considered other urban sites and none fit the bill, especially the space requirements for parking and trucks.

Some customers don't mind a move, so long as it's nearby. "Next door would be fine," said Howard McGill, who makes a six-day-a-week dawn drive from Kingsland, Ga., where he runs Howard's Produce. "Getting into that downtown traffic in the morning would be chaos. Coming out would be even more."

Here's a chance for the city to plant some deserving economic seeds, within reason. Cultivated correctly, the market could flourish.

karen.mathis@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4305

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/110906/bum_6073705.shtml

Farmer's Market Photo Tour
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/farmers_market/jax/market-11.jpg
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/242/57/

Metro Jacksonville's suggested Alternative urban sites
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/farmers_market/aerial.jpg
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/252/57/

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/urbansouth/297515636_301e957361.jpg

About 15 of us from Metro Jax ran into the Main Branch crew celebrating the long delayed sale of the old library after leaving Casa Dora last night.

ISSUE: Haydon Burns library.
What it means: Approves the sale of the old downtown library to Main Branch LLC for $3.25 million. The site would have retail and about 90 condominiums.
Bill No. 2006-1132
ACTION: Passed, 16-0.

According to the Folio Weekly, the planned grocery space is currently being sought out as a potential site for either a Publix, Winn-Dixie or Wal Mart Neighborhood Market. Wal Mart would opt for their urban layout, rather than a traditional big box floorplan, and would include a pharmacy. Personally, I'm skeptical of that lead considering Winn-Dixie plans a $1.5 million renovation and expansion of its existing downtown store (a few blocks away) in January.

I heard from news reports recently that the Cummer is now the state's largest art museum following its newly completed renovation and expansion. According to WJXT-4, it is now 17,000sf. I quickly browsed their website, but couldn't find any info regarding it's new status. I knew that at one time previously it was the state's largest, but what museum had eclipsed it? Also, at one time, wasn't it also the largest in the Southeast US?

^Do you mean 170,000sqft?

17k sounds really small.

Here are some random photos of construction around the Town Center:

St. John's Town Center Phase II

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/3228/picture011fi2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4500/picture012tf4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8245/picture013qa8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4521/picture014qh4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2157/picture015id8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7186/picture016yu5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6637/picture027xz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/2264/picture028bx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1224/picture029om3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5518/picture030pu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3687/picture031uu9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

AND NOW..... The Communities @ St.Johns Town Center

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/8163/picture017kx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3592/picture018db5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4581/picture025tx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Other Random Photos

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http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/8823/picture022mz9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

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I heard from news reports recently that the Cummer is now the state's largest art museum following its newly completed renovation and expansion. According to WJXT-4, it is now 17,000sf. I quickly browsed their website, but couldn't find any info regarding it's new status. I knew that at one time previously it was the state's largest, but what museum had eclipsed it? Also, at one time, wasn't it also the largest in the Southeast US?

The Cummer is currently 68,000sf. Once the expansion is complete, it will be 105,000sf and the second largest museum in the State. The John and Marble Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota is the largest.

http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/060405/met_18912509.shtml

Thanks Lakelander. I thought 17k sounded really small, but that's what it sounded like they said on the newscast. I assumed they may have meant that was what it was being expanded by, but according to your info, its expanding by 37k. Excellent! :)

Happy New Year fellow First Coast forumers, looks like I am the first to reply to this thread for the New Year. I hope everyone here had a wonderful X-mas and New Years!!! Sometime in the spring, I plan to relocate to the First Coast(Baker County) to be exact and I am looking forward to joining you all here in this fourm. I hope this year will be a great year for Jax with all of the wonderful projects planned so far. Maybe we will see a new shopping mall sprout up on the westside of town because I think there could be a lot of potential in that area. Personally, I think the interchange of I-10 and I-295 would be a prime location for such a project. But I guess since the Orange Park mall is less than 15 minutes away it more than likely won't happen anytime soon. Btw, has there ever been a meeting with all of the forumers here before???

Happy New Year. I don't believe we'll be seeing a new mall on the Westside this year. OPM is in the process of renovating and expanding and there are a few open air lifestyle centers in the works in Argyle and Northern Clay County.

Btw, has there ever been a meeting with all of the forumers here before???

The majority of the First Coast forumers post at the Metro Jacksonville forums (www.metjax.com), although me and a few others post regularly here and at SSP. There's a few of us that meet once a week and there's been a few "MetJax" socials organized by a member called "Pearlstone".

......and there are a few open air lifestyle centers in the works in Argyle and Northern Clay County.

Is that the mall that is supposedly going into that giant Oakleaf development?

Yes, it will be called Oakleaf Town Center, although it won't be an enclosed mall like many originally believed. The other, Avery Village will be located just south of Oakleaf in Clay County. Across the river, the same group that constructed the St. Johns Town Center, has announced plans for the Esplanade, a 1.2 million sf mall to be built at I-95 & World Golf Village.

Don't need more malls - need more neighborhoods where people will walk

I agree, luckily Jax has a decent collection, outside of the actual CBD and they're improving everyday. Now the challenge will be to reconnect what urban renewal has torn apart.

hey everyone! what's going on with the st john project ? is it dead? If not when will it start construction?

The St. John is in sales. According to the developer, it should start construction this spring.

Shazaam, this is wonderful news to hear:banana:. Looks like we are off to a good start this year in hi-rise construction for Jax, hopefully other proposals will soon follow. Thanx for the update Lakelander.

In addition to the St. John (51 stories), Riverwatch (35 stories) and The Shipyards I (38 stories) are also expected to break ground soon.

Wow... the apparent resiliency of the Jax condo market is impressive.

It still appears to be fairly strong downtown, the Shipyards are selling well and Berkman II is just starting to go vertical. However, suburban condo and conversion sales have slipped. Nevertheless, we do have a few larger downtown projects like the San Marco Riverwalk towers on ice.

Any successful downtown has its anchor developments.

On Jacksonville's east end, the sporting complex attracts football, baseball and music fans.

To the west, attractions include ... well, nothing substantial yet.

Eventually though, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's planned regional transportation center in LaVilla will be a comparable anchor of sorts.

Plans for the $165.7 million two-phase center include offices, retail, Greyhound, Amtrak and JTA services.

But a deal for a nearby piece of land could yield an impressive complex between JTA's planned center and the existing convention center.

Located on nearly 2 acres bounded by Jefferson, Davis, Bay and Water streets would be:


A 200-room, national franchise hotel.

A 60,000-square-foot office building.

A retail center by a national developer already familiar with this market.

Residential condominiums, depending on the real estate market's health.
The site is owned by local developer Bucky Clarkson, who by late spring is expected to sell to an investment group headed up by Carlton Jones.

This is promising for two reasons.

First, the site has been sitting vacant because a deal between Clarkson and the city soured.

With a related lawsuit settled late last year in Clarkson's favor, it's time this area became part of downtown's redevelopment.

Second, Jones's reputation is solid, both as a community leader and developer.

After working in the Jacksonville market for nine years, Jones and his group in 1997 bought Gateway Mall off Norwood Avenue.

The center is doing well, now at nearly 88 percent occupancy after being mostly vacant and in need of significant repairs.

It has brought back necessary services, including a grocery store, clothing shops and government offices.

Jones is a past chamber vice chair and, as a member of Bethel Baptist Church, has been working to build affordable homes in Northwest Jacksonville.

Also, Jones' spirituality is directly tied to his work.

"I look at urban renewal as a ministry," Jones says. "You're not going to make quick money, but it is important to the community."

Jones' Bay Street Station is more than just the latest downtown announcement.

It signals the beginning of what has long been promised in the LaVilla area - a redevelopment wave that will produce services and jobs for the community.

With developers like Jones involved, the rebirth of downtown's west end is sure to be worth the wait.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/011707/opi_7331231.shtml

It's also worth mentioning that the above article on Bay Street Station "broke" in the Times-Union's lead editorial. However, the actual news portion of the paper did not contain an article - or even a blurb - on the subject.

What kind of worthless newspaper deems a story important enough to write a lead editorial about it ... yet fails to include even a factual blurb about the project elsewhere?? Apparently the Times-Union.

It honestly looks like the editorial staff simply didn't have anything to write about, so they took a reporter's article on Bay Street Station, added a few canned phrases about revitalization, and called it an op/ed. What a worthless paper.

What kind of worthless newspaper deems a story important enough to write a lead editorial about it ... yet fails to include even a factual blurb about the project elsewhere?? Apparently the Times-Union.



Captain Obvious, thanks for pointing this out. I too found this to be odd. I read the article in the editorial. I'm really glad about the project and I feel it should've been featured else where in the paper.

anyone know if the Kings Ave project's still a go and the proposed Publix on the corner of Hendricks and Atlantic still going to proceed. i've seen the rendering of pictures... i can't wait until that project is completed. i love that area of town. especially because i work there!!! whoot! whoot!

Both are still ago, although I have no idea of which one will break ground first. Kings Avenue Station was supposed to break ground last summer, but plans have been revised since Sleiman became involved and East San Marco is supposed to break ground later this year.

This one just snuck up on everybody. No fanfare or coming soon signs.

Plans for an eight-story retail, parking and office building in San Marco are moving along. Realty Co. Development Group LLC out of Ponte Vedra Beach has submitted site plans to the city planning department for review of "Lofts of San Marco." The plans show 6,019 square feet of retail space on the first floor; 29,700 square feet of offices on the sixth through eighth floors; and parking on the second through fifth floors. The developer has a contract to buy the property from owner Blanca Revollo pending approval of the plans, said Chris Favre of North Florida Engineering Services, the engineering firm working on the project. If approved, construction would start immediately.

Jacksonville Planning and Development Department review for eight-story retail, parking and office building, 1463 San Marco Blvd. between Nira and Cedar streets, on 0.33 acre, 86,970 square feet; agent is Realty Co. Development Group; owner is Blanca Revollo; engineer is North Florida Engineering Services. (No. 7671)

http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/020507/bus_7645861.shtml

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/ussmanatee/LoftsSanMarco.jpg

This site is located just south of I-95 and Baptist Medical Center at San Marco Blvd and Cedar Street. At 8 stories, it will be a pretty large structure for the area, but some become an additional catalyst for more pedestrian friendly development between the Southbank and San Marco.

Btw, "A" stands for the Bistro Aix restaurant and "P" for Peterbrooke Chocolate's main store and production center.

i know that exact location, Lakelander, it's only a block from where i work. isn't that building vacant to begin with?!?! not a bad location for the lofts especially because of the several shops along that side of san marco blvd. there's a lot of hustle and bustle around the area. i was talking to my insurrance agent and her daughter works at the Outback and their corporate office that handles it's restaurants in the southeast, said something about placing a restaurant on the southbank. i don't know how much truth there is to that but that would definitely put some variety to the area. from the several stake house's, RCBC, Pom's Thai Bistro, A/X Bistro, SM deli and several other eateries, it'll be a wonderful addition.... also, since the san marco village has been scrapped, what's being done to put anything on that site?!?!......on a side note. the architectual firm that designed the St. John, Arquitectonica, also designed the One Rockwell project back home in the Philippines. look into it when you can. it's a wonderful design. thanks for listening to my rambles. Peace!!!

Yes, this project should go a long way to bringing in more urban development along that stretch of San Marco Blvd. Now if we could only get Baptist to fill up their huge surface parking lots.

Btw, San Marco Village has been delayed, not scrapped. I'm sure we'll see something happen with that project once the condo market improves.

if Baptist were to sell their property, what would work best for that location? a mix used unit like 1661 would be wonderful.

DuPont Trust may buy, build on Fidelity's Riverside campus

By ALISON TRINIDAD, The Times-Union

The Alfred I. duPont Testamentary Trust, with total assets of about $4 billion, has plans to move its headquarters downtown from a Southside office park.

According to documents filed with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, the trust has entered a purchase agreement with Fidelity National Financial Inc. to buy property and build on the title insurance provider's campus on Riverside Avenue, pending due diligence.

The trust has been looking to buy property in the Jacksonville area but has not yet confirmed a specific site, said David Gonino, the trust's chief investment officer. Its offices now are at 4600 Touchton Road E. near Tinseltown.

"We're looking for a place to call home," he said. "The trust has been in Jacksonville for 70-plus years. There's no reason that it can't be here for 70 more."

Gonino declined to discuss details of the agreement or the proposed sales price, citing a confidentiality agreement with Fidelity.

However, during its meeting Thursday morning, the JEDC said Fidelity could transfer to duPont the rights to develop up to 175,000 square feet of office space on Fidelity's riverfront property. Fidelity has an agreement with the city to develop up to 1.2 million square feet of offices there.

City Council still has to approve the transfer and other amendments to its agreement with Fidelity.

Created in 1935, the trust primarily supports The Nemours Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping sick children. The bulk of the trust's assets were built via investments in The St. Joe Co. (which was called St. Joe Paper when the duPont trustees incorporated the company in the late 1930s) and Florida East Coast Industries, though the trust now owns less than 5 percent of each.

alison.trinidad@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4268

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/020907/bus_7883970.shtml

Kuhn gets go-ahead

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/020907/166557_400.jpg

By ALISON TRINIDAD
The Times-Union

In Jacksonville, it is developer Cameron Kuhn's downtown.

Orlando-based Kuhn Cos., health-care company Humana Inc., Jacksonville Landing Inc., and the city closed on a series of real estate agreements on Thursday that allow Kuhn to build a $100 million addition to his River Watch at City Centre complex at 76 S. Laura St.

The same day, the developer also received preliminary approval for a $1.05 million grant to help renovate the Laura Street Trio, which includes the former Bisbee, Florida Life and Marble Bank buildings between Forsyth and Adams streets. The company, which already has begun a renovation of the historic Barnett Bank building across from the trio on Adams Street, plans to turn the empty landmarks into office condominiums and retail space.

Kuhn, who is credited with revitalizing downtown Orlando, entered the Jacksonville market in late 2005 with the purchase of the SunTrust Tower across from The Jacksonville Landing.

At the time, the developer had hoped to build a 33-story residential tower on a vacant parking lot adjacent to SunTrust. However, city obligations to provide parking for the Landing, a riverfront mall downtown, delayed the purchase. Kuhn will dedicate parking spaces for the Landing in a parking garage he will build next to the proposed residential tower. Humana, which owned the parking lot next to SunTrust, is to pay the city a $2.5 million settlement to resolve obligations to the city.

Kuhn since has bought the 18-story Barnett building and six-story Dyal-Upchurch building. In August, Kuhn offered $6 million to buy the Laura Street Trio from the city Police and Fire Pension Fund, a sale that is expected to close this week or next. On Thursday, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission endorsed the developer's request for a $1.05 million grant from the city Historic Preservation Trust Fund, which would be disbursed upon completion of the renovation, pending approval by the City Council.

The fund has about $1.8 million remaining, and is expecting an addition of $2.25 million from the sale of the city-owned Haydon Burns Library.

alison.trinidad@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4268


On Thursday, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission also approved: Up to $100,000 to film two movies in Jacksonville. Ring Productions expects to spend $5.6 million in the city, including $3 million on labor, to film Eliot Rocket (starring Sharon Stone and Jimmy Fallon) and Glad All Over. The grant, if approved by City Council, will come from the Countywide Economic Development Fund and be awarded once filming is done. Up to $48,000 for the creation of 80 new full-time jobs in the financial services industry. Jacksonville-based Administar Services Group LLC, which facilitates bankruptcy and class action settlements, plans to spend an extra $3.2 million a year to create those jobs and has applied for a state tax refund program, in which the city is responsible for 20 percent of the award. Jobs will require skills in bankruptcy law, accounting and computer programming.

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/020907/bus_7885461.shtml.

I REALLY LIKE THIS TOWERS.
I HOPE THAT THEY WILL BUILD THEM.
GOOD DESIGN, THEY LOOK VERY MODERN.:applause:


http://www.jacksonville.com/images/032504/hm_towers400.jpg
Riverpointe
Project Summary:
- (2) 750ft - 48 story towers
- 550 residential units
- 10 story parking garage
- commerical space
Developer: Krook Douglas Development

@ Alkun

I also really loved that design. A lot of people hated it, and I don't really understand why.

However, that was just a preliminary rendering. Since then, the project (which is now owned by Hines development) has undergone a total redesign. It still looks pretty good, but it's completely different. It's now a 582' tower with 51 stories, and it should break ground pretty soon. I think they have approval for a twin tower, but that's not really on the table until the first one is done.

http://www.thestjohn.com/

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/021707/business.jpg


By JOE LIGHT
The Times-Union

1. River Watch at City Centre

Kuhn Cos.

188 condos in a 35-story tower;

76 units wrapping a parking garage

The company last week closed on the parcel where it wants to build the tower. Southeast vice president George Moore says that construction will begin in the next few weeks and that the infrastructure and foundation work will finish in six months. The company is completing its floor plan designs and plans to start taking reservations within two months. Kuhn Cos. officials hope the project will be complete in 30 months.

2. Berkman Plaza, Phase 2

The Harbor Cos.

222 units in a 23-story tower

Berkman spokeswoman Evin Willman said that the developer has 50 units under contract, including seven put under this week. She says construction is still on schedule to finish in the fourth quarter of 2008.


3. The Jacksonville Shipyards

The LandMar Group

1,000 units in four towers (1st phase)

LandMar spokesman Jim Doyle says the company has about 150 reservations for its first tower, which would have about 328 units. He says sales will begin after floor plans are finalized and that the company hopes to begin construction late this year.

4. The Jacksonville Landing garage

Jacksonville Landing Investments

Parking garage with retail and condos

Developer Toney Sleiman has said he plans to build a mixed-use parking garage sometime in the future, though plans for that facility will need to be put on hold as he waits for new parking to be constructed for The Jacksonville Landing by developer Cameron Kuhn.

5. The Peninsula

American Land Ventures

234 condos in a 37-story tower

Construction workers are currently pouring the tower's 15th floor, says John Spassoff, vice president of sales for American Land Ventures. He said construction will take at least another year.

6. The Strand

American Land Ventures

295 units in a 28-story tower

Spassoff says about 10 percent of the units are under contract. The developer wants 25 percent of the building to be under contract before closings begin and also hopes to be nearing completion at that time.

7. The Vu

American Land Ventures

190 condos in a 40-story tower

Spassoff says that his team hasn't yet moved forward to develop marketing materials for its third tower. He says that they will focus on sales at the Strand before plans for that project move forward.

8. San Marco Riverwalk Village

Riverwalk Hotels LLC

2,000 units in a series of five towers

Although the owner's development partner, The Related Group, pulled out of the project last April, the owner has continued to meet with city officials regarding planning requirements for the site.

9. San Marco Riverfront District

Cowford Riverfront LLC

More than 2,000 units, 42-acre site

The developer, JEA, and the Duval County School Board are continuing to meet to solve problems building a required access road to the site, says spokesman Michael Munz.

10. St. Johns Point - sounds like this one is dead

Crosswinds Communities

840 condos, 3 towers

Although property records show that Michigan-based Crosswinds still owns the property, city officials have had no contact with the property owner since they won conceptual approval from the Design Review Committee more than a year ago. Mark Shelton, an engineer for the project, said that his firm had received "no indication at all" from the developer of when it might move forward. Tirso San Jose, who heads Crosswinds in Florida, did not return phone messages seeking comment.

11. San Marco Place

Chase Properties

About 140 units in a

21-story tower

Developer Mike Balanky says that about six people have already moved into the tower, though it won't be complete for about two weeks. He said the penthouses will be complete toward the end of March. The developer has sold all of the condos except for one penthouse and another unit but Balanky said some units are on the resale market.

12. The St. John

Hines

300 condominiums

in a 51-story tower

Company vice president Walter O'Shea wrote in an e-mail that the quality and amount of sales traffic that their sales office is receiving increased significantly in January when compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. He declined to reveal the number of contracts the company has written pending an upcoming press release.

13. 122 Ocean

(Old Main Library)

Main Branch LLC

Retail and condominiums

Main Branch partner Tony Allegretti says the group has an executed contract to buy the old library from the city and plans to close in two months. He says Main Branch has a letter of intent from a grocer group and is speaking to several bars and restaurants to fill the space. The group hopes to begin construction at the time of closing and have tenants move in within a year. He said the group hasn't decided if it will wait to build condominiums on top of the building or if Main Branch will tackle both phases at once.

14. Laura Street Trio

Kuhn Cos.

Office space in three renovated historic buildings

Kuhn Cos. officials purchased the buildings from the Police and Fire Pension Fund last Friday for $6.4 million. Instead of the mixed uses that the Pension Fund planned, Kuhn Cos. will turn all three buildings into commercial office space and plans to renovate all three at once, Moore says. Kuhn Cos. will also construct a parking garage adjacent to the trio, but officials have not yet decided whether or not they should build the garage in such a way that a tower could be built on top of it at a later date. Moore says the company plans to begin the garage within three months.

15. one12 Condos

(Old Barnett Bank)

Kuhn Cos.

108 condos in a renovated tower

Kuhn vice president George Moore says that the building renovations, which are well underway, will be complete by early next year. The company will start to take reservations within the next several weeks and have an interest list of between 70 and 80 potential buyers who company officials plan to meet with individually to begin reservations. Moore says that the company is also in close discussions with a major retailer to take the bottom space of the building.

16. St. James Hotel and Residences

Bayard Spector

Condos and a hotel in a 64-story tower

Spector says that the building is currently getting planning department approvals, which might take another four to five months. He hopes to begin taking reservations by the summer. He said that the construction timeline of the building will depend on the strength of sales, but that he'll need 50 percent of the building pre-sold before construction begins.

joe.light@jacksonville.com,

(904) 359-4689

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/021707/bus_7504108.shtml.

So, as a short summary of that project update article, Jax has:

at least 1,999 units currently under construction
at least 892 more units expected to start construction very soon, and
at least 6,000+ more approved units at earlier stages in development

Also, the article excluded some smaller projects and rehabs which bump up the u/c number by several hundred.

For a downtown that currently only has about 500 high-end residential units (and a total downtown population struggling to crack 2000) the next few years are going to produce some extremely visible changes.

wow. jacksonville is really impresive i never really paid attention to its progress but it looks really imprensive

Here are some of the tenants confirmed for phase2 of St.Johns Town Center. They open October 2007. www.stjohnsphase2.com

Louis Vuitton
www.louisvuitton.com

Lacoste
www.lacoste.com

Mayors Jewelry
www.mayors.com

BCBG
www.bcbg.com

Cole Haan
www.colehaan.com

Tommy Bahama
www.tommybahama.com

Talbots
www.talbots

Puma
www.puma.com

Urban Outfitters
www.urbanoutfitters.com

Coach
www.coach.com

Brooks Brothers
www.brooksbrothers.com

Crate & Barrel
www.crateandbarrel.com

Pottery Barn
www.potterybarn.com

J. Alexander's
www.jalexanders.com

The Capital Grille
www.thecapitalgrille.com

Mitchell's Fish Market
www.cameronmitchell.com

THESE ARE THE ONLY STORES/RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED.

http://www.stjohnsphase2.com/images/pic_rendering3.jpg

http://www.stjohnsphase2.com/images/pic_rendering2.jpg

http://www.stjohnsphase2.com/images/pic_rendering1.jpg

Here are some of the tenants confirmed for phase2 of St.Johns Town Center. They open October 2007. www.stjohnsphase2.com



Nice and smooth

^That's a pretty solid list of stores there, and the project looks good. There is a Mitchell's Fish Market at Westshore Mall in Tampa and it is EXCELLENT.

just read in the paper this morning that there are talks to get Nordstrom, Macy's and another high end retailer for phase three of the SJTC by the end of this year. i, for one, am excited about the other shops opening soon. especially lacoste. however there are other retailers i'd like to see come as well... like that of Bennaton. but thats just me....bwahahahaha

There's been strong rumors in the development industry for months now, that the three anchors headed on their way are Macy's, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. While they have not officially publically announced these anchors, its difficult to believe so many high end specialty retailers would sign leases without the center having the major department stores to draw the masses in.

I'm still somewhat skeptical of Neiman Marcus, because (I think) their required income demographics are even higher than the other two. So it seems slightly odd that NM would be willing to leap into the market when Macy's and Nordstroms haven't even tested the waters yet.

Nevertheless, all the women in my family are very excited about all this ;)

I'm very impressed with the list of above mentioned stores in the new town center. Particularly the likes of Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Tommy Bahama, and Brooks Brothers. I never would've thought Jax would've snagged those shops within the next 10-20 years (at least). I'm very happy to be proven wrong. With the caliber of these shops, surely Jax will get comparable department stores, such as the already mentioned Neimans and Nordstrom (who, by the way, has their regional dist. center in Gainesville). I don't include Macy's because they're not strictly highend, and they are basically everywhere else, even in small towns like G'ville, Tally, and Daytona. It was starting to get a little embarassing for Jax because it is a sizeable, growing town, yet had basically nothing when it came to national, upscale retail stores/shops, while other, even smaller cities across the nation were getting this type of retail like crazy. In a way, the retail scene in a city is a type of validation, or lack thereof, and Jax wasn't getting validated. For years, as I used to read in the Times Union, the national retail scene viewed jax as a "JC Penney town". Good to see that Jax is apparently loosing this somewhat unflattering title.

Wow I'll have to stop by here one day on my way up to North Carolina during Summer Break. I can only hope the Regional Mall being built here in Sarasota can one day attract these type of high-end retailers as well.

There are still months of construction left before Arlington's Kendall Town is done, but it is looking to be one of the better "Suburban Urban" centers in town. It is perfectly located between I-295E (9A) and the SouthSide Connector. The development looks to be very promising given the JaxPort expansion with Mitsui. The price points are perfect for the new workers coming to the area. With the Cruise terminal less than 10-minutes away, this area is going to see new developments spring up quickly between now and the end of 2008. I noticed that there are at-least 3 large parcels of land for sale immediately surrounding Kendall Town and a huge site clearing just over SouthSide Connector. To me, the only thing keeping the Town Center Area buzzing more than Kendall Town's is the calibur of the retail. We'll enough with my thoughts, here's the tour:

SouthSide Connector @ Treadnick Pkwy Entrance
Very nice entrance. The roundabout is gorgeous and the three story condos are gorgeous driving by. There is a good balance of foliage, but an extreme lack of up-lighting at night (probably not in place until construction is completed). Notice the bus shelters. They are covered and match the theme of the complex. The entrance is very pedestrian friendly. The sidewalks lead to all retail including Wal-Mart and the 4 Banks that face Treadnick Pkwy.

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/6107/01fk3.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8310/02in2.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3207/03tt7.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/5519/04cf3.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9118/05nc2.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6730/06op8.jpg

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8913/07kk2.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/6402/08ni4.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4169/09ur3.jpg

Other Views

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3912/01uk1.jpg

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/5076/02gr3.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3671/03mt5.jpg

Lantern Street
This is the main drag of the development. The entire bottom floor is retail & restaurant space with two floors of condos above. There is a beautiful lawn and pavillion in the center of the roundabout with seating and "rock formation speakers." There is still a lot of facade construction, but looks like it will be finished soon. (sidebar: Why didn't the Town Center put condos above thier retail? What a waste!)

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6393/01ad6.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9703/02iw3.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/45/03ps7.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/7534/04dz3.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4616/05uk7.jpg

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Lantern Square Condominiums
The condos are really nice. They are three story and include a recessed garage on the first floor. There is a community pool and the landscape is nicely appointed.

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Kendall Lake Luxury Apartments
The apartments are exactly the same as the condos, just across the street.

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Kendall Point Townhomes
The townhomes are across the lake from the condos and apartments. They are Brooklyn-style row houses that include an attached garage. The strees are not the average cul-de-sacs, but a semi-grid. The community will feature a club house and resort-style pool, neither of which are built yet.

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Retail on Opposite Side Of Treadnick Pkwy
Your average big box anchored center with an ocean of parking. I'm kind of partial to World Market though. Also in the shopping center are: Target, Home Depot, Lowes, PetSmart, Steak-N-Shake, Smokey Bones, Sonic, Cracker Barrell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Ale House, just to name a few

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Other Development Near the Area

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Random View From Dames Point Bridge
If you look closely, you can see the Downtown Skyline. There is a lot of site clearing near the bridge, and you can see a Carnival cruise ship from the bridge also. I am disappointed at how ugly Hecksher drive is. That place should look very upscale in my opinion given the cruise port is right there. Maybe in the future we will see high rises, urban villages, hotels, shopping, and such right there?

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Conclusion
Overall, I really love this place. The prices scream work-force and the location is prime. There is little to be desired around rush hour though. The traffic is very reminiscent of the Westside a la Blanding. The traffic surrounds the place on Monument, McCormick and SouthSide Blvd. I think that the affordability and convenience of highways and stores will attract many new residents to Jacksonville who are looking for a middle-class "Suburban Urban" lifestyle. Why pay $100,000 more at the Town Center, when you can just climb onto 295E and be there in 10-minutes? I guess we'll see how things go. Good Luck Kendall Town!

Hecksher Drive is zoned industrial and will probably stay so. With the power plant, paper mill, Blount Island port terminal and a host of terminals for fuel tankers, its the cruise ship terminal that needs to go, peferably closer to downtown (perhaps the old Ford Model T assembly plant).

Anyway, the cruise ship terminal is temporary and will have to relocate once the port authority's Mitsui shipping terminal (currently the land clearing site) moves to phase II.

There is a feasability study about to commense on having a gondola stretch across the St.Johns river from King's Avenue Station Hotel & Apartments to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium...

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2007/03/19/story2.html?b=1174276800^1431855

The aerial cable car idea is part of Balanky's latest project, Kings Avenue Station, a 250,000-square-foot, mixed-use development that includes two hotels and retail space. The development, excluding hotel construction costs, is expected to cost $50 million.

At this point, I'll believe the whole golonda crossing over the St. Johns River when they front the money and actually start building it. Imo, the most impressive thing in this article is that the Kings Avenue Station mixed use development will be breaking ground before Summer. The two 8 story Hilton Hotels and their seven sit down restuarants at street level are going to go a long way in stimulating the urban environment reconnecting between San Marco and the Southbank. I saw the rendering a few weeks ago at a meeting with JTA officials about BRT, commuter rail and transit oriented development. Although not tall, it's a nice project, that fits perfectly at street level.

^That Kendall Town screams Brandon-redux. Hope it doesn't come with the traffic woes Tampa's very similar sprawl has had... at least some of it has the potential to be self-sufficient...

Really great prices, too.

It comes with traffic woes. Residents in the area successfully lobbied the developers to not extend the main street in the area over to Lone Star Road. If connected it would have provided another parallel alternative to being forced to take the Arlington Expressway to access neighborhoods to the west. This means, once this project is built out, a new 6 lane road will end abruptly, channeling all riders onto the Southside Connector, which leads to Southside Blvd, which has already been backing up for years now, during rush hour.

Btw, when I mean abruptly, where it ends is can't be anymore than about 3 blocks between that stop and where Long Star Road ends.

At this point, I'll believe the whole golonda crossing over the St. Johns River when they front the money and actually start building it. Imo, the most impressive thing in this article is that the Kings Avenue Station mixed use development will be breaking ground before Summer. The two 8 story Hilton Hotels and their seven sit down restuarants at street level are going to go a long way in stimulating the urban environment reconnecting between San Marco and the Southbank. I saw the rendering a few weeks ago at a meeting with JTA officials about BRT, commuter rail and transit oriented development. Although not tall, it's a nice project, that fits perfectly at street level.

Here's a rendering of the Kings Avenue Station project. The development will take up about two blocks of surface parking and will be attached to the Kings Avenue skyway station. It will include a Hilton Garden Inn and a Homewood Suites by Hilton, both of which will have 110 rooms and several restaurants at street level. Another building will house apartments and could be possibly taller than shown in the renderings.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/kings_ave_station/Kings_Avenue_Station.jpg

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/kings_ave_station/Kings_Avenue_Station2.jpg

I like that. Pleansantly urban

The new courthouse complex could be 15 stories and is expected to finally get underway this year, a few years after being scrapped by Mayor Peyton. Hopefully it gets back on track so because the 7 block moonscape is depressing an entire section of the Northbank.

By MARY KELLI PALKA
The Times-Union

In a reversal from a line he has held for the past two years, Mayor John Peyton said Wednesday he is leaning toward a more expensive plan for a new Duval County courthouse complex - one that could ultimately cost taxpayers about $454 million.

Peyton will likely introduce legislation to the Jacksonville City Council next week seeking approval for a $316 million courthouse project. That's $52.5 million more than the $263.5 million he has repeatedly said taxpayers would spend.

The plan calls for the new building to be done in 2010. But it could reach capacity within a few years. The city would have to spend another $138 million to fill in shelled space and add another building by 2020.

That brings the total to $454 million, much higher than the $190 million voters were once promised.

The new plan would allow all court functions to move to the new site near Monroe and Clay streets at one time, instead of potentially 10 years apart. The current plan calls for building a criminal courthouse now and adding space for civil functions later.

"I'm looking for a remedy that's the most cost-effective, long-term solution and I think the unified courthouse provides that," Peyton said.

The city would borrow the extra $52.5 million for the first phase as part of the city's capital improvement plan in about two or three years, said Peyton's chief administrative officer, Alan Mosley.

Filling in about one-sixth of the courthouse, which would initially be left shelled, would cost about $28 million between 2013 and 2017, Mosley said. He said a new family courthouse would cost about $110 million when construction starts in about 2018.

If all of the work was done right away, the total bill for the courthouse would be about $396 million, Mosley said.

Peyton wouldn't say how the future phases would be paid for because that's something that would be left to future administrations. He said he shouldn't be held responsible for the expansion costs because there could always be a need to expand.

To get the first phase started by the end of the year, and construction completed by the end of 2010, the council would need to approve the increase in spending by May 8, according to city records. That would be before 10 new council members take office on July 1.

Council President Michael Corrigan said he wouldn't be against considering paying more money for a unified courthouse and for the ability to vacate the current riverfront courthouse by 2010. But he knows some people won't be happy.

"It's going to concern a lot of citizens of Jacksonville that we were getting a $190 million courthouse and now it's $316 million," Corrigan said.

Council Vice President Daniel Davis said he needs more information before deciding if he should support it.

"I think we need to see that many efficiencies were created where they were lacking before," Davis said.

He said any new plan should provide a functional, safe courthouse that could serve the community for the next 20 years.

City officials haven't released any designs yet. Mosley said the new courthouse could be as high as 15 stories, but details are still being worked out.

Duval County voters approved in 2000 spending about $190 million on a new courthouse as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan. After cost estimates on the original plan reached almost $300 million in 2004, Peyton pulled the plug on the plan.

The city already has spent about $60 million, which is included in the $316 million budget.

Peyton said he's confident that the new numbers he has are right because he has a new team and a new approach.

Under the old plans, the architects and builders worked separately. This time, the designers and construction managers are on the same team, with courthouse users advising from the beginning.

Plus, Peyton said the premise of the courthouse was completely reorganized.

"Last time, it was about how it looks, this time it's all about how it functions," Peyton said.

Chief Judge Donald Moran said that based on the little bit of information he has now, he supports the new concept.

Moran and other users have concerns about the $263.5 million plan because it called for separate buildings. A criminal courthouse would be built by 2010, with construction later starting on a civil courthouse. In the meantime, the city would have to pay about $2.1 million a year in extra operating costs, according to city records.

Peyton was aware two years ago of the increased operating costs and the escalation of building costs associated with separate criminal and civil buildings. But he said at that time he wasn't confident that more money was available.

Mosley said the city will have paid off some debt within the next few years, making it possible to add more to pay for the new courthouse.

mary.palka@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4104

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032907/met_8924373.shtml#compare

Am I getting this right ? Peyton is now championing a courthouse which could cost nearly twice as much as the original plan which he deemed was too expensive ?

Bingo. Sometimes you can only shake your head in shame.

Oh well, I guess the best that could be said is that it'll be a boon for highrise fans. A fifteen-story courthouse could be 250-300 feet tall.

15 stories would be a huge improvement. I had missed that little blurb the first time I read the article.

If the new Duval County Courthouse proposal gets approved, the DCC will be about the same height as the Federal Courthouse (277ft, 14 stories)

Peyton's team tells of plan for courthouse

The mayor will seek $316 million to start


By MARY KELLI PALKA, The Times-Union

The primary architect for Duval County's new courthouse and members of Mayor John Peyton's staff met with Times-Union reporters and editors Tuesday to unveil more specifics of the controversial project.

This week Peyton will file legislation with the City Council asking for $316 million for the first phase of the project. That includes a 611,000-square-foot building with 44 courtrooms, plus renovation of the old federal courthouse and two floors of the Ed Ball Building. The budget includes about $60 million already spent in previous efforts.


The new plan is projected to be about $52.5 million higher than what the council approved last year. About three years after its scheduled completed construction in 2010, the city would need to start work on filling in about 102,000 square feet of shelled space in the new building. And by about 2018, construction would need to begin on a new 160,000-square-foot family courts facility, city officials have said. All the construction would bring the entire cost to about $454 million.

This is the second attempt to build a courthouse since voters approved spending $190 million in 2000 on a new structure. The first plans, by Cannon Design, were scrapped after contractors estimated that cost estimates were approaching $300 million.

What will the main courthouse look like?

It will be traditional and symmetrical, with 15 or 16 floors, said Jack Diamond, senior principal for Rink Design Partnership Inc. and part of the design-build team. But he said it's too early to specify architectural details, including whether a dome will be included.


How will the building be functional and efficient?

Early plans suggest that prisoner holding cells will be stacked in order to create more circulation paths for courthouse users, Diamond said. He expects the basement to house building services, prisoner drop-off and some storage. The clerk of court, jury assembly rooms and other offices would occupy the first two floors. The next seven to eight floors would have six courtrooms each. And the judges' offices will be at the top of the building. The State Attorney's Office would take up most of the old federal courthouse, and the Public Defender's Office would settle into two floors of the Ed Ball Building.
Will the new design offer secured basement parking for judges?

No. That was deemed too expensive - about $24,000 per parking space - instead there will be separate and secure outdoor parking for the judges at a far cheaper cost, about $1,000 to $1,500 per parking space.

Under this new plan, will West Monroe Street remain open to traffic?

Yes, Monroe would remain open to traffic. There is no need to close it because the new courthouse would sit between Pearl and Clay streets, next to the old federal courthouse, said Alan Mosley, Peyton's chief administrative officer.

What's next? When will the design renderings be available?

On Tuesday, Peyton's staff will file the funding legislation with the council. If everything goes according to plan, there would be a council vote May 8.

Design renderings will be available around June or July and groundbreaking could take place in late summer.

The original courthouse design called for a large building sitting at the intersection of Monroe and Clay streets, which would have shut traffic on Monroe, a major road that runs west to east through downtown.

mary.palka@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4104

So this thing will most likely be in the 300' range which is great, but if I were on the council, I'd be skeptical of approving $316 million for something that I don't know what it even looks like or how it fits in the surrounding urban context.

CITY MARKET: Grocer to take its cues from hip, urban markets

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By DIANA MIDDLETON
The Times-Union

When an independent specialty grocery opens in the belly of the former Main Library by 2008, it will be one of the only grocers in the downtown area - save for a Winn-Dixie location.

Not quite a supermarket, the City Market will be a hybrid urban space, part hipster hangout and part grocery store, said Tony Allegretti, one of the project's developing partners.

Allegretti, a minority owner of both Main Branch LLC (the entity that will own the library upon closing) and the Gallery Restaurant Group (which runs downtown eatery Burrito Gallery) says the City Market will lease the 6,000- to 8,000-square-foot retail space from Main Branch. Closing on the building is expected to take place next week, Allegretti said, and a smaller spin-off is also being considered for the Springfield area.

The actual grocery will feature outdoor patio seating on Ocean Street, an espresso bar, a deli with prepared foods, a butcher and fish monger as well as a mix of natural, organic and traditional grocery fare: Organic strawberries collide with jugs of Clorox.

The market will be open seven days a week. The project's developers are also considering opening a bar inside, Allegretti said. The point is to woo office workers to walk there on their lunch breaks and after work while simply being the neighborhood market for nearby residents, he said.

The market will feature elements from urban grocers in New York City and Texas, he said, pointing to the Urban Market in downtown Dallas as one such inspiration. The Texas independent grocer is 20,000 square feet and nestled in a downtown building that also houses 150 apartments. Along with a traditional grocery store, it includes a cafe that hawks $6.95 spinach dip and grilled spinach for $10.95.

But it hasn't been an easy road for the Urban Market operators, despite a strong lunchtime crowd from the neighboring businesses.

"We suffer during the afternoon because everyone's gone back to work," said Barry Cook, the Urban Market general manager. "In the evening, business is only so-so. Our challenge is we need more residents. We're doing fine, but in order to say we're a wonderful success we still need more traffic."

Part of the Dallas retailer's problem: A slowdown in nearby housing projects that were already due to be completed, Cook said. The nearby Whole Foods, Albertson's and Wal-Mat don't help either, he said.

City Market's closest competitor will be the downtown Winn-Dixie location, which is slated for a hefty remodeling. But the two will serve different needs, Allegretti insisted.

"[City Market] is meant to be both convenient and special. It'll be a different experience than the Winn-Dixie, although the Winn-Dixie fits needs downtown, too. This is not meant to replace it."

The development comes after months of looking for a potential grocer to fill the downtown space: "Main Branch LLC received inquiries from grocers and made contacts themselves," Allegretti said.

But the effort proved to be difficult, according to Councilwoman Suzanne Jenkins, whose district includes the future market.

"I just don't know any [supermarket chains] who are doing something that small: 8,000 square feet, that's their storage space," she said. "But they always knew it would be a bit of a stretch to find a willing taker, so it'll be a mom-n-pop grocer. I'm glad they stuck to their vision."

Indeed, Publix, which will open an "urban" store in San Marco next year, never builds stores smaller than 28,000 square feet, said Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens.

The building's unique location and lack of traditional, extensive parking could be a part of that: While the Dallas-area Urban Market is the building's devoted parking, which includes 30 spaces in an adjacent parking garage (the fees of which are waived for customers), City Market customers will have to navigate existing parking.

But the dearth of parking in downtown Jacksonville - or the perception of such - shouldn't be a deterrent, Allegretti said.

"There's 'no parking' for the Burrito Gallery either," he said, noting that lots of future customers will either live or work within walking distance.

But there may be a downside to relying on foot traffic: A simple rain storm can cut a day's business by up to 15 percent, said Urban Market's Cook.

diana.middleton@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4404

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/040407/bus_9037043.shtml.

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I've stopped inside of Dallas' Urban Market a couple of times in the last two years. Here's a couple of pics.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/dallas_tour/UrbanMarket.jpg http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/dallas_tour/UrbanMarket-Interior.jpg

http://www.urbanmarketdallas.com/

My Mother is always talking about the revolving restaurant that my Father took her to in Jacksonville many years ago. The only mention of it I can find is on this forum. Can anyone tell me what happened to it? Thanks!

It was in what was once the Universal Marion Building, which had an Ivey's Department Store on the first floor. However, it closed down decades ago. Today the building is JEA's headquarter tower and the revolving restaurant space is their executive's offices.

Brooklyn Park switches focus from homes to shops

By JOE LIGHT
The Times-Union

Brooklyn Park, a heavily anticipated development on Riverside Avenue, is significantly changing its focus, transforming from a residential neighborhood to a retail-heavy project designed to be a destination for nearby residents.

Miles Development Partners, which trumpeted a 12.5-acre residential and office project last June, now plans to use a chunk of that land to build up to 150,000 square feet of retail space, with such destination retailers as an urban, fresh market grocery store and a major bookstore.

The switch comes as Jacksonville's housing market, while never as heated as some Florida locales, has cooled off substantially. Brooklyn Park could also significantly change the character of Brooklyn, making the Miles development a destination for residents stretching from downtown to Avondale.

Already, the city intends to develop a park near the Miles property, and developer Hallmark Partners has moved through the Design Review Committee for an office and condo project in the neighborhood.

Preliminary plans to open a Skyway station adjacent to the property could broaden the audience even further.

The number of condominiums sold by Realtors in Jacksonville fell 42 percent in February when compared to February of last year, according to the Florida Association of Realtors. That trend drove Miles toward retail.

"The slowness in the housing market forced us to look at what other options were out there," said Miles vice president of development Jason Perry. "We like to get in and get out, not wait around for pre-sales."

The new direction would greatly accelerate the developer's timeline, which had been dependent on the pace of condo sales. Miles plans to break ground on the first phase of its project, which includes 277 apartments, in late summer. The retail component would break ground at the end of next year. Perry said the entire project might take five years to complete.

In addition to the grocer and bookstore, the developer hopes to build a 150-room, select-service hotel and space for about three locally-owned signature restaurants, in the vein of Biscottis in Avondale or Bistro Aix in San Marco.

One of Miles' closest competitors isn't worried a new development would hurt its own business.

The Publix-anchored Riverside Market Square, which is a shopping center about a mile away, has been a significant success since it opened in 2002, according to Sue Harker, a leasing representative for The Sembler Co.

Harker said that the center is completely leased and that the company expects it to stay that way for some time, even if the Miles center offers competition.

"It's a very strong market," she said. "We've been the only player in the game since that center opened, and honestly, I think bringing that in will strengthen the market."

Sembler's research shows 193,018 people within five miles of its center, with an average household income of $48,298.

Perry said that Miles is in the process of contacting bookstore chains and hoteliers to learn their space and location preferences. Once they have that information, they'll set the layout of the project and firm up agreements with tenants.

joe.light@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/040507/bus_9063760.shtml.

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/040507/172542_400.jpg

A few more stores for Phase II:

West Elm (http://www.westelm.com/online/store/StoreLocationsView?storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&fromURL=)

Metropark (http://www.metroparkusa.com/store/locations/FL#locations)

Drexel Heritage (http://cgi.jacksonville.com/cgi-bin/newsroom/recent.cgi?Planning_District=3.+Southeast)

As I was reading the Times-Union yesterday, there was an article on the front page of the business section regarding a new open-air shopping center being proposed near the WGV area. The new center, dubbed "Lion's Gate at Commerce Center" will be located on the southwest corner of I-95 and IGP and will measure 700,000 to 1,000,000 square feet of retail when it opens in mid 2009. This new project will be a joint venture between Steinemann & Co. and Weingarten Realty Investors, and will likely be composed of big-box tenants that are silmilar to the ones found in the St. Johns Town Center. At the moment there are no renderings, but it will have a spanish influence and will be situated around a lake. Looks like this area of St. Johns is shaping up to be the new retail hot spot for the First Coast!!!

This center is at the same I-95 interchange as Ben Carter's planned 1.2 million Esplanade lifestyle center. I doubt the market is big enough for both. Which one eventually makes it out of the ground first will probably be the one that secures the most prominent anchors first.

In addition to an urban grocery market, it looks like downtown could also end up getting a movie theater and several restaurants and bars out of this deal as well. Hopefully, it will spur the city to sell off more vacant structures that it owns in the Northbank.

By JOE LIGHT
The Times-Union

A month ago, a city task force's call for an "entertainment zone" in the blocks surrounding the Florida Theatre seemed a long way off. Two weeks ago, a city official's comments hinting at a downtown movie theater seemed similarly distant.

This week, the group planning to redevelop the old Main Library revealed it has entered letters of intent and serious negotiations that signal a critical mass of downtown bars and entertainment venues might be right around the corner.

And although the old Main Library is already set to house downtown's first urban grocery store, Tony Allegretti, a partner in the library's developer, confirms that the group is in "the most preliminary of discussions" to bring another first: A four-screen movie theater. Early this month, Jacksonville Economic Development Commission executive director Ron Barton said that the city would be interested in helping to bring a large, urban movie theater downtown.

Any deal with a first-run cineplex is far from solid, but developer Main Branch LLC has letters of intent or leases from several stores.

Main Branch plans to purchase the library from the city by April 23. The deal would end two bitter years of on-again, off-again negotiations between the city and bidders for the structure. Two earlier suitors, one that proposed razing the library to build condominiums, and the other that favored renovating it as a chocolate factory, pulled out before signing a contract.

Within a year, Main Branch hopes to instill life in what has been a hulking shell deadening half a block of prime real estate.

Allegretti revealed plans for City Market, an urban grocery store, three weeks ago. Now, he says Main Branch has leases or letters of intent from several other tenants.

Creators of an independent movie theater and bar, dubbed the Low Room Theater, planned to sign a lease for part of the basement of the library on Monday, said partner Dustin Greer.

Greer said the theater would show arthouse and independent movies. The group had looked for space downtown for several months but couldn't find a spot with high enough ceilings to fit the screen, he said.

"We're looking forward to being part of this urban renewal," Greer said. "I've kept my eye on downtown for a long time, but only now do I see it as a possibility. It seems like a really good time to be here."

Local film company Parabolic Pictures LLC, of which Greer is a producer and partner, plans to open an office on one of the upper floors.

The owners of San Marco's The Grotto have also given a letter of intent to open a wine bar, Allegretti said.

Other ground-floor tenants include a high-end design and furniture store and a Realtor. Another film company, TigerLily Media, plans to open an office on one of the upper floors.

Downtown Vision Inc. executive director Terry Lorince said that the Main Library project will play an important role in connecting The Florida Theatre to activity at The Jacksonville Landing and Hemming Plaza.

"The building is in a great location and has good accessibility to the street," she said. "These are the kinds of tenants you'd expect and be looking for. The building should serve as an anchor."

Although each of the projects have their own timetable for opening, Allegretti said Main Branch hopes to open stores within a year. Once the group closes on the purchase, he said it will decide whether to move forward with plans to put condominiums atop the building.

joe.light@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

--------------------------------------------------
Tenants with either leases or letters of intent

Low Room Theater - An independent theater and bar

Nest - A modern design and furniture store that focuses on mid-century pieces

A wine bar - A wine bar from the owners of San Marco's The Grotto

City Market - An urban grocery store

Parabolic Pictures LLC - A film company

TigerLily Media - A film company

A leading Realtor - A residential Realtor that does not yet want to announce its intent to move in, according to Main Branch partner Jack Shad

They don't have letters of intent, but Main Branch LLC is also in discussions with a bar, two coffee shops, a cereal bar, and a four-screen movie theater. --------------------------------------------------


This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/041707/bus_9236776.shtml.

Re: 122 Ocean
Nice project that the area desperately needs. I hope the slow condo market does not keep them from building the residential component.

@#!!

Not to get too far off topic, but I was wondering what do you all think of the closure of the eastbound lane on the Matthews Bridge for 3 months?? I for one think it is desperately needed, but at the same time, it kind of sucks when you have to sit in traffic for an extra 20-30 min. just to get across the river now:bash:.
Again, what are your thoughts on this situation???

Personally, I never had a problem crossing the bridge and believe the "danger" probably has more to do with over cautious white knuckle drivers.

As for the constrution, it would have been nice if they could have left half the lanes open for westbound traffic in the mornings and reversed them for eastbound traffic during afternoon rush hour.

Downtown construction update: April 2007

Everbank Tower
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/construction_update_april07/DCP_9371.jpg

Berkman 2
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/construction_update_april07/DCP_9381.jpg

The Strand (nearly complete in center) & The Peninsula
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/construction_update_april07/DCP_9399.jpg

San Marco Place
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/construction_update_april07/DCP_9401.jpg

one12 condos (old Barnett Bank headquarters)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/construction_update_april07/DCP_9389.jpg

20 West lofts (old Lerner Shops Building)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/construction_update_april07/DCP_9390.jpg

City Hall Annex (old Haverty's Furniture Building)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/construction_update_april07/DCP_9396.jpg

218 Lofts (old Exchange Building)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/construction_update_april07/DCP_9397.jpg

Nice pics! How about the Kuhn project ? Surely it's broken ground by now ?

Kuhn has three projects. One12 and the Laura Trio are both underway, but they're projects that convert three vacant historic highrises into lofts, offices and commercial space.

I'm sure the project you're talking about is Riverwatch. Kuhn has been lined up and ready to go for a while now, but I'm not sure the complicated deal selling him the building site has been finalized yet. So, at this point, no construction has been started yet.

Kuhn has three projects. One12 and the Laura Trio are both underway, but they're projects that convert three vacant historic highrises into lofts, offices and commercial space.

I'm sure the project you're talking about is Riverwatch. Kuhn has been lined up and ready to go for a while now, but I'm not sure the complicated deal selling him the building site has been finalized yet. So, at this point, no construction has been started yet.

You know me to well. Yep, I meant the sexy one. Thanks. ;)

According to today's Times-Union, "Berkman Plaza 2", the second 23-story condo tower planned for Berkman Plaza on the St. Johns River has sold more than 53% of the 112 homes so far. The pre-construction pricing for studios,one-,two- and three-bedroom homes range from the $170's to the $600's. As far as the penthouses, those will start in the $900's price range with a more than likely price increase for unsold units by year's end. Since construction began in July 2006, the tower continues to progress as planned with a targeted completion date by the 4th qtr of 2008. For more information, you should visit the tower's website at berkmanplaza.com. Seems like the real-estate market here in Jax continues to defy the current downward trend as witnessed in other areas of the :)-shine state!! Btw, I think we should create a specific thread for some of the projects planned this year in Jax, like Berkman Plaza, The St. Johns, The Shipyards, etc... For instance, in the Tampa/St. Pete thread, they have created a separate thread for just about any major project that goes up down there. Shouldn't the same be done for projects here in Jax as well???

^I think so. I'd really like to see more frequent updates on those projects and I think the administration agrees that individual threads spur discussion. It isn't like the forum is slow right now, in any event.

I say do it.

It now appears that the original plan for the 28-story "Strand Tower" located on the Southbank, is being converted back into apartments as originally planned. According to the Sunday's Times-Union, the lack of condo sales has forced American Land Ventures, a Miami-based developer, back to its original proposal. Looks like "The Strand" will now become the priciest rental property in the downtown area when it opens later this year. For instance, a studio apartment will cost around $996 a month; 1-bedroom at $1,315; 2-bedroom at $1,775; and a 3-bedroom starting at $2,647!!! Even though "The Strand" failed to hit its target in condo sales, "The Peninsula"(developers other project) which is located across the street, will still maintain its condo status. The article also mentioned a possible third tower, dubbed "The Vu", as another residential project in the near future. But the developer noted that it would all depend on future market conditions in order for it to be seriously considered.

Sorry I don't have any photo's to show now, but I finally got an opportunity to drive around downtown to some of the construction sites yesterday. First, Berkman Plaza Phase 2 is really starting to come to life. They have already cleared off quite a bit of the site and I believe they are starting to assemble a 2nd crane now. Secondly, the Strand condo tower, located across the street from the now complete Peninsula condo tower, is getting quite tall now. I didn't get an accurate floor count, but I believe it is between 18-20 floors. Lastly, I noticed they had the sales trailer near the new site for the St. Johns condo tower project. I don't know exactly which lot the tower will be erected, but it sure doesn't seem like there is a whole lot of space down in that area. Also, I will try to post an update in the next week or two on the new Shipyards condo project as well. Btw, where are all the Jacksonville forumers at these days, it is starting to get a little lonely around here???:dunno:

Awesome. I love Jax :)

Secondly, the Strand condo tower, located across the street from the now complete Peninsula condo tower, is getting quite tall now. I didn't get an accurate floor count, but I believe it is between 18-20 floors.

The Strand is just about complete. The Peninsula, is the one going up next to it and it will be around 37 stories at when it tops out.

I noticed they had the sales trailer near the new site for the St. Johns condo tower project. I don't know exactly which lot the tower will be erected, but it sure doesn't seem like there is a whole lot of space down in that area.

The 51 story St. Johns will go up between the Aetna Tower and FEC railroad tracks.

will try to post an update in the next week or two on the new Shipyards condo project as well.

The Shipyards isn't schedule to break ground till later this year. The cranes currently there are doing site prep work on the riverwalk extension and planned public pier.

Btw, where are all the Jacksonville forumers at these days, it is starting to get a little lonely around here???:dunno:

All the Jax forumers have been at metjax.com for over a year now. I try to keep everyone outside of Jax updated with what's going on in town periodically on here and SSP. The Metro Jacksonville group should have a couple of updated downtown photo articles this week, so I'll post a few here, once uploaded.

^^ Thanx for the updates Lakelander, perhaps the Metjax.com site is where I can visit on occasion as well, besides SSP.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/ThirdAndMain600.jpg

After years of delays and revisions, ground breaking ceremonies for Springfield’s first major loft project on Main Street were held this past Saturday. When complete in 2008, Cesery Companies' three story mixed-use project will offer 36 apartment units and 7,500 square feet of street level retail space that is expected to be filled with businesses such as dry cleaning, delis, and coffee shops.

For more information visit: www.thirdandmain.com

Novare Group - building Skypoint, Element, and Twelve in Tampa plans to develop in Jacksonville.

Atlanta condo developer to enter Jacksonville market

One of Atlanta's biggest condominium developers plans to enter the Jacksonville market with condo projects targeted at young singles.

Jacksonville is one of three new markets -- Phoenix and Houston are the others -- that privately-held Novare Group Inc. plans to enter by the end of the year.

Novare already builds condos in Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tenn.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Tampa.

Novare's core product is condos for 25- to 34-year-old singles, said CEO Jim Borders, "and we usually lead [into a market] with that."

Jacksonville, Houston and Phoenix are markets where there is little entry-level condo product, said David Tufts, president of The Marketing Directors Inc. "These markets would be ripe to accept [Novare], in spite of the national [housing] malaise."

The first project in Phoenix is already in the planning stages, but Borders said no projects have been confirmed in Jacksonville or Houston.

The condo market in Florida overall has weakened, but that has been more significant in other markets, like Fort Myers, "and not necessarily in Jacksonville," said Sam Chandan, chief economist for the real estate research firm, Reis Inc.

Novare succeeds by providing "high-impact, high-amenity product" to the market, Tufts said. And because entry-level buyers typically don't have to sell an existing home, "this makes them more agile and able to act on emotion and impulse."


http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2007/05/14/daily33.html

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/ThirdAndMain600.jpg



For more information visit: www.thirdandmain.com

beautiful development

All the Jax forumers have been at metjax.com for over a year now. I try to keep everyone outside of Jax updated with what's going on in town periodically on here and SSP. The Metro Jacksonville group should have a couple of updated downtown photo articles this week, so I'll post a few here, once uploaded.

Lake, is the metjax.com website down? I have not been able to access it for several days now.

Yeah DrT,

It has been down for at least a week. There is a temp set up at metrojacksonville.com

^You know, I would gladly create forum space here for Jax, if anyone wants to run it. The metro forums here always do well, and we continue to do nothing but grow... It could have had the same content with no costs ever for the person running it, and probably 3-5x more hits... And then Jax forumers don't have to vanish to be able to talk local.

(this kind of co-op setup is something that folks will see more of in the coming months... Small local sites featuring building and community data, with the forum being hosted here, but still operated/moderated by the webmaster)

^^ What a nice offering, Jason. You're a mench! well, sometimes (lol) ... ;)

Being a resident of Tampa, I certainly would frequent the Jax forum and I suspect that many others from around the state (and points beyond) would as well.

Personally, I think Lakelander would be the perfect choice to manage the forum if he had the time. After all, he's kept us well informed up to now. :)

Jax is an important urban center in our state and as you've pointed out, the metro forums here at SSC keep growing - it could serve us all well. :2cents:

Here is the list of Phase II that we have so far:

STORES
West Elm
Metropark USA
Louis Vuitton
Lacoste
Mayors Jewelry
BGBG MAXAZRIA
Cole Haan
Tommy Bahama
Talbots
Puma
Urban Outfitters
Coach
Brooks Brothers
Crate & Barrel
Pottery Barn
abercrombie
Aldo
Baker’s
Betsey Johnson
Brooks Brothers
M*A*C Cosmetics
Sole Mio
The Walking Company

RESTAURANTS
Cantina Laredo
Capital Grille
Mitchell’s Fish Market
J. Alexander’s

OUTPARCELS
Drexel Heritage
Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

CONDOS
Toscana

OTHER MISC
Fresh Grocer on lot between Phase II and Costco
Upscale Hotel



This is only a little over half of the 40 stores. What's the hold up on the full list?

^You know, I would gladly create forum space here for Jax, if anyone wants to run it. The metro forums here always do well, and we continue to do nothing but grow... It could have had the same content with no costs ever for the person running it, and probably 3-5x more hits... And then Jax forumers don't have to vanish to be able to talk local.

(this kind of co-op setup is something that folks will see more of in the coming months... Small local sites featuring building and community data, with the forum being hosted here, but still operated/moderated by the webmaster)

Thanks, but the Metro Jacksonville board has grown into more of a local media source with daily front page articles on various topics concerning the urban core. In general, it's not suitable for the type of discussion that takes place at SSC & SSP. However, although I haven't gotten around to posting the last month of urban development news (we have a few projects moving forward and some others that were scrapped due to the real estate market) I will continue to keep this site loaded with Jacksonville development news.

This one is a mixed bag of tricks. Its not exactly pedestrian friendly, but on the other hand, another suburban company is moving it's headquarters back near downtown. This building will sit on a site between Everbank's new office tower and the Northbank riverwalk, on Fidelity's corporate campus.

Alfred I. DuPont Testamentary Trust headquarters
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2701/dupontur5.jpg

site plan
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/1498/dupontsiteplaneg7.jpg

overall, even without street level retail (there's a ton of it going in across the street to the top of the plan), it would have been better, imo, to flip the little surface lot to the side where the courtyard is. At least then, the courtyard entrance could become the main one facing Forest Street.

Btw, it broke ground today.

Not bad.

Here is the list of Phase II that we have so far:

**Updates in Red**


STORES
West Elm
Metropark USA
Louis Vuitton
Lacoste
Mayors Jewelry
BGBG MAXAZRIA
Cole Haan
Tommy Bahama
Talbots
Puma
Urban Outfitters
Coach
Brooks Brothers
Crate & Barrel
Pottery Barn
abercrombie
Aldo
Baker’s
Betsey Johnson
Brooks Brothers
M*A*C Cosmetics
Sole Mio
The Walking Company
Arden B.
Guess
Marciano
BeBe Sport
Swarovski
Lululemon
bluemercury
True Religion
Juicy Couture
Ballard Designs

RESTAURANTS
Cantina Laredo
Capital Grille
Mitchell’s Fish Market
J. Alexander’s

OUTPARCELS
Drexel Heritage
Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

CONDOS
Toscana

OTHER MISC
Fresh Grocer on lot between Phase II and Costco
Upscale Hotel

Hopefully everything works out for the best.

Movie Theater Complex by Prime Osborn planned

Three Jacksonville developers say they're going to put a multi-screen movie theater, hotels, stores, offices and maybe condos on a parking lot near the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

Doing business as Bay Street Station LLC, the developers signed the final contract last week to amass four acres bounded by Jefferson, Lee, Bay and Water streets. They've been working with the property's owners, including Charles "Bucky" Clarkson, for months, they said.

Clarkson, who won a $1.45 million settlement from the city late last year, had planned on building a hotel on the site with help from the city years ago. But the city wouldn't pay as much as Clarkson was seeking, and the hotel was never built. Now, the land is vacant and used for parking.

He is selling the property to the developers.

The Bay Street Station project could cost anywhere from $250 million to $300 million, depending on the type of tenants that sign on, said Bill Sulzbacher, a Bay Street Station partner.

for full article: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072707/bus_187212960.shtml.

This was a well kept secret. Sounds like an excellent project, I'm anxious to see how it all plays out!

Lofts are great and all, but considering the old Barnett is our last chance at a historic boutique hotel in the middle of the Northbank, I hope it goes that route.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kuhn's top Jacksonville guy quits; Update on local Kuhn projects

George Moore, the point man for developer Cameron Kuhn's projects in downtown Jacksonville, has resigned from Kuhn Cos. to pursue a business in new construction, according to company President David Dix.

Dix says Moore's resignation, which was effective Wednesday, does not affect the progress of Kuhn's plans for Jacksonville, which include construction of a parking garage next to the SunTrust tower and renovation of several historic high-rises downtown.

full article: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/080207/bus_188458574.shtml


As for updates on Kuhn's projects:

Riverwatch - On hold, until Kuhn breaks ground on the 10 story garage, now scheduled for Oct. 1.

One 12 - Waiting for approval from the city to install windows. When complete, it will be a 130 unit boutique hotel or 105 unit residential building. According to the article, the market will determine that use.

Laura Trio - Waiting for approval from city to install windows in all three buildings. Also still plans to build a parking garage for One12 at the corner of Laura and Adams.

Hey, I want to make a list of all the projects that are Delayed/Doomed because of the courthouse. So far all I have are these, feel free to add on...

323 Duval
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/011404/19901_400.jpg
A development group intends to build an estimated 100,000-square-foot, nine-floor office building at 323 Duval St. downtown, across from the new Duval County Courthouse site, and another group will decide soon whether it will buy and renovate the neighboring Ambassador Hotel into apartments.

Mixed Use Tower
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/042700/biz_courtDrawings3.jpg
Steinemann & Co., an Atlanta developer with a Jacksonville presence, proposes to use the entire site for a $300 million project comprising a 44-story tower of hotel, office space and related space and a nine-level complex of retail shops, parking garage and multiplex cinema. Steinemann also proposes to develop the new courthouse at another site and act either as the developer-owner or as a fee developer.

^^ Sorry for not quoting up there...:nuts:

This one was indirectly delayed, as it was to house law firms.
Jea Tower
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/011404/19897_400.jpg


Also.... I forgot to mention all of that valuable real estate that is such a vital chunk of our urban fabric. 7 blocks is it?

Mixed Use Tower
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/042700/biz_courtDrawings3.jpg
Steinemann & Co., an Atlanta developer with a Jacksonville presence, proposes to use the entire site for a $300 million project comprising a 44-story tower of hotel, office space and related space and a nine-level complex of retail shops, parking garage and multiplex cinema. Steinemann also proposes to develop the new courthouse at another site and act either as the developer-owner or as a fee developer.[/QUOTE]

This project is pretty old, I was under the impression it was long dead.

Indeed it is QUITE old, but it wasn't able to be built because it was proposed on the old courthouse site, thus needing the new one built for the demolition of the old one.

Can we start a seperate Jacksonville forum, or are we not big enough, don't have enough developments, already have metjax, etc?

another question, how do i delete a profile?

yet another another question, whats happening with 122 ocean, 200 riverside and brooklyn park? U/C? On hold?

^^
:nuts:

yet another another question, whats happening with 122 ocean, 200 riverside and brooklyn park? U/C? On hold?


122 Ocean - last time I heard, construction would start in 2008.

200 Riverside - no idea of what the delay is.

Brooklyn Park - should be breaking ground soon. All existing buildings on the site have been demolished and there's a construction trailer on site.

**

Kings Avenue Station - site has been cleared, should break ground this week.

I'm going to the FSU-Alabama football game on Saturday. Cant wait to check out how DT Jacksonville looks since I was last there 6 years ago.

^^ There have been some decent changes in DT Jax since you were here last, but I think it will look much better in the next 5-6 yrs. Btw, you might notice that the Southbank has seen some nice changes as well.

Yeah, the Peninsula is about the same height as Riverplace Tower right now. They are adding the Penthouse level right now so when it all said and done it may end up being the tallest tower on the Southbank, until the St. John rises.

Shouldn't the St. Johns tower break ground sometime before year's end?? I may perhaps, drive by there this weekend to see how well the site is progressing. Maybe we can start a thread soon here on SSC for the St. Johns Tower project.

^^
:nuts:

ahh yes, mock the newbie...:lol:

122 Ocean - last time I heard, construction would start in 2008.

200 Riverside - no idea of what the delay is.

Brooklyn Park - should be breaking ground soon. All existing buildings on the site have been demolished and there's a construction trailer on site.

**

Kings Avenue Station - site has been cleared, should break ground this week.

thanks. i thought brooklyn park shouldve been going up soon. these were featured in the "5 projects to change downtown" on metjax, and to state the obvious, they would really have a great impact on dt.

ahh yes, mock the newbie...:lol:

日本語を話しますか｡
Why is your name in japanese?

ワタツノガールフレンドニホンジンデス。 Sorry if that didn't make much sense. I can use katakana and limited kanji, but she teaches me stuff and i like america, thus the name.

but once again, does anyone know how to delete a profile?

ワタツノガールフレンドニホンジンデス。 Sorry if that didn't make much sense. I can use katakana and limited kanji, but she teaches me stuff and i like america, thus the name.

doesnt really make any sense, and you never ever write japanese words in katakana. Doesnt make sense.

ahh yes, mock the newbie...:lol:

I can feel a " Muldoon :ohno: " here, lol.:nuts:

Well its gameday, I'm off in a few hours. I'm taking my camera to the game so hopefully in addition to pictures of my Noles win ;) I can get a few of DT as well.
GO NOLES.

Oooo. I love goin to games. Show us your pics :)

What an amazing day. Noles wrecked the Tide! Anyways Jacksonville was awesome, traffic wasnt too bad, and using that whole free parking for a $5 bus ticket worked out nicely. DT looked really nice, I took few extra pictures of DT as well as the game and of the stadium. I must say I was very impressed with the way this game worked out, and I hope we play another game there next season. Oh and since its 3am, I'll wait till tomorrow to upload the photos.

Bad news. Real estate slowdown taking its toll. From Times-Union:




No condo tower at Shipyards for now

The plans aren't scrapped, but market forces have prompted their delay.
By LIZ FLAISIG, The Times-Union

Downtown's Shipyards development won't include a luxury condominium tower, at least not in the near future.

The LandMar Group has begun refunding a $2,500 reservation fee to about 150 potential buyers, spokesman Jim Doyle said Tuesday.

The Jacksonville-based developer has decided to delay the tower's construction.

"We're making a shift in terms of what's strong in the market vs. what's not strong," Doyle said.

That means a focus on the Shipyards' mixed-use side, which will include commercial, hotel and office space.

LandMar is working on plans for a residential component in place of the tower that will be a "quicker delivery" product than a tower, Doyle said, though he could not comment yet on what it might be.

The change was strictly market-driven and not related to chief executive officer and founder Ed Burr's Aug. 31 departure from LandMar, Doyle said.

Burr left after an unsuccessful bid to win back controlling interest in the company from Crescent Resources LLC, a joint venture of Duke Energy and Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund V U.S.

"It's business as usual at LandMar," Doyle said. "Decisions are based on the market, not on players."

The Shipyards' new plans weren't a surprise to Ron Barton, executive director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission. Other downtown projects are delaying or adjusting plans because of a "soft" for-sale market, Barton said.

That includes Miles Development Partners, which revamped its Brooklyn Park plan to focus more heavily on retail and apartments instead of condominiums.

The city also got notice LandMar would exercise the flexibility in its redevelopment agreement this month when it requested a year extension on its design approval for the Shipyards' first tower, according to a Times-Union review of public records.

In a Sept. 11 letter to the JEDC, LandMar said it was not ready to submit its final design and construction plans for the tower.

A separate letter requested an extension on design of the riverwalk and areas where public and private spaces meet or overlap.

Both the Shipyards' first phase of the riverwalk and the tower are scheduled to come before the city's Development Review Committee on Oct. 25 for one-year extension approvals.

Comments on LandMar's requests indicate city staff will recommend approval of the extension and that the city General Counsel's Office does not see any violations with the redevelopment agreement.

In June, LandMar announced an $18 million contract with Misener Marine Construction Inc. for public improvements to the site, including building a new bulkhead along the riverfront. That portion of the project is set for completion within 18 to 24 months.

LandMar unveiled plans for the 44-acre Shipyards property in 2006. Its first phase would have had four condominium towers, though the Times-Union reported then only one tower had been designed, a 328-unit building crafted by Miami-based Architectonica.

Sandy Miller, a Queen's Harbour resident, planned to trade the suburbs for an urban lifestyle at the Shipyards.

Although LandMar's time frame for residential construction isn't clear yet, Miller is still interested.

"Sure, I'll wait to see what they'll do," said Miller, a sales associate for Watson Realty Corp.

"I'm glad they're not pulling out completely, just restructuring. That's an encouraging sign."

Not surprised. Seems like the Jax highrise market has hit the skids.

Its just mirroring the rest of the state and the real estate market slowdown. We've had a lot of suburban developments slow down or stop as well. However, for whatever reason, those don't make the news.

Yeah every city big or small has hit the hard times in the last year. But I hear the downturn market may have started to level off, so this time next year everything could be great again.

I suppose I should clarify. The Jax highrise market is apparently shallower than I had hoped. I suppose it goes without saying that the 68-story proposal is a long way off. And how confident are we about the St. John ?

Now, I'm almost tempted to exclude Novare from those developers affected by the downturn. They are almost in a class by themselves in terms of getting things done. So, it wouldn't surprise me if no other project came to fruition, but Novare did.

The truth is, behind the scenes this project has been on rough times for a while (like 3 years). Internally we had this project dubbed "The Shipwreck" even back then. It certainly doesn't appear as this has changed at all. This article is just the tip of the iceberg.

orlandonative....due you have a link? I would love to see the differences between each community.

I suppose I should clarify. The Jax highrise market is apparently shallower than I had hoped. I suppose it goes without saying that the 68-story proposal is a long way off. And how confident are we about the St. John ?

Now, I'm almost tempted to exclude Novare from those developers affected by the downturn. They are almost in a class by themselves in terms of getting things done. So, it wouldn't surprise me if no other project came to fruition, but Novare did.

Here's an update on a few you mentioned, as well as some others.

1. Novare - they are in the process of preforming due diligence and a few sites downtown. They still are making progress.

2. The St. John is apparently still a go as well. However, you never know what may or may not happen in the future.

3. Brooklyn Park - preparing to break ground. Construction trailer just went up on site and there's been some land clearing. Its not highrises, but its probably downtown's most urban and pedestrian friendly project.

4. Kings Avenue Station - just broke ground. Its not high rise residential, but two 8 story urban oriented Hilton Hotels, with restaurants at street level next to a skyway station, will have more of an impact on downtown then a residential condo tower would.

5. The Peninsula is approaching top out at 37 stories and appears to be a little taller than Riverplace Tower.

6. Berkman II is now over ten stories. It should top out at 23 stories in the Winter.

7. Kuhn's empire has fallen, but he struck a deal to sell either One12 or Riverwatch to a hotel group. This company is currently doing their due diligence and when its up, they'll pick one of the two Kuhn properties to purchase. If it's Riverwatch, it will be developed as a 35 story luxury hotel across from the Landing. If it's One12, it will be finished as an extended stay hotel.

8. There's a lot of historic renovations still going on like the Churchwell Lofts and 20 West Adams (Lerner Shops Building). Again they won't add to the skyline, but they do bring an element to downtown Jax, that's not as strong in Florida's other major cities.... authentic lofts in the heart of the core.

Edit: link, no. My company retains all of our feasability studies for all of our major projects proposed in the CBD as well as the city proper. Unfortunately we've had to abandon plans for two towers just in the last 6 months as a result of our findings.

Here's an update on a few you mentioned, as well as some others.

1. Novare - they are in the process of preforming due diligence and a few sites downtown. They still are making progress.

2. The St. John is apparently still a go as well. However, you never know what may or may not happen in the future.

3. Brooklyn Park - preparing to break ground. Construction trailer just went up on site and there's been some land clearing. Its not highrises, but its probably downtown's most urban and pedestrian friendly project.

4. Kings Avenue Station - just broke ground. Its not high rise residential, but two 8 story urban oriented Hilton Hotels, with restaurants at street level next to a skyway station, will have more of an impact on downtown then a residential condo tower would.

5. The Peninsula is approaching top out at 37 stories and appears to be a little taller than Riverplace Tower.

6. Berkman II is now over ten stories. It should top out at 23 stories in the Winter.

7. Kuhn's empire has fallen, but he struck a deal to sell either One12 or Riverwatch to a hotel group. This company is currently doing their due diligence and when its up, they'll pick one of the two Kuhn properties to purchase. If it's Riverwatch, it will be developed as a 35 story luxury hotel across from the Landing. If it's One12, it will be finished as an extended stay hotel.

8. There's a lot of historic renovations still going on like the Churchwell Lofts and 20 West Adams (Lerner Shops Building). Again they won't add to the skyline, but they do bring an element to downtown Jax, that's not as strong in Florida's other major cities.... authentic lofts in the heart of the core.

RE: (7) good news indeed for a highly prominant site.

Lakelander: point taken, I have nothing I can make public so I edited my statement above.

No problem. I was just interested to see how Jax compares with the larger cities in the state, during this real estate slowdown. As for residential towers, I don't know if there's anyplace in Florida worth taking a risk on such an expensive project at this time. It seems like going low to mid rise would be much easier to get off the ground.

That port deal announced yesterday sounds like a very big deal. Should be a big job generator if it lives up to expectations.

They expect it to generate up to 6,000 new jobs. It combined with the recently announced Mitsui port deal (it will bring in 5,000 jobs), should kick off an industrial building boom on the Northside of town.

^^ Looks like some great news for Jax.

This is from October 26, 2007:

Opening Day Photos



http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1272/sjtcphase2001lh1.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/962/sjtcphase2002nl9.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7960/sjtcphase2003wy4.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2299/sjtcphase2004mp3.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5986/sjtcphase2005za0.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2387/sjtcphase2006yq8.jpg


http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4325/sjtcphase2007rg3.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8932/sjtcphase2008tv7.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/7176/sjtcphase2009he3.jpg


http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8537/sjtcphase2010dm3.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/989/sjtcphase2011ju7.jpg


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http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6508/sjtcphase2016vk2.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9425/sjtcphase2017tr2.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2584/sjtcphase2018pg2.jpg


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"Morris said this weekend represents the second phase's soft opening. The official grand opening is set for 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 and will include fireworks, a tree-lighting ceremony and music by American Idol alumnus George Huff."

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102707/bus_212468702.shtml

Very nice phototour.
Establishments look pretty upscale and they have nicely managed to avoid the "cookie cutter" look of alot of outdoor and strip malls.
Good shopping option against Jacksonville's mostly indoor malls.

The architecture looks a lot better and more diverse than phase 1.

I haven't seen the 2nd phase of the SJTC yet, but I plan to go out there sometime before the holiday season kicks off, in order to avoid the crowds.
Since these are mostly upscale establishments, I will make sure that I leave all my credit cards at home. :lol:

Thats alot of photos! I like how the architecture varies as well, so it doesnt look like every other cookie cutter suburban mall in the US.

This is from October 26, 2007:

Opening Day Photos




Forgive my ignorance but, Is this like a lifestyle center?

Forgive my ignorance but, Is this like a lifestyle center?

Yes:

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=857

http://www.stjohnsphase2.com

Yes:

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=857

http://www.stjohnsphase2.com

Thanks. I'll have to check it out.

Another casualty in Jax.
All major high profile projects have failed to materialize or are "on hold".
From today's Times-Union:



Weak market stalls second tower for The St. John
All-glass St. John joins Shipyards condos on hold
By LIZ FLAISIG, The Times-Union

Development of a second luxury condominium tower downtown has been put on hold until the real estate market recovers.


Private developer Hines announced late Tuesday The St. John would not be built next to the Aetna Building on the Southbank "until real estate conditions in Northeast Florida are more favorable."

Local developer the LandMar Group earlier this month said it would delay building its first condominium tower at the Shipyards and focus on the mixed-use components of its urban community.

Houston-based Hines issued a statement of its intention to "monitor the market and move forward" with its plans for the 640,000-square-foot high-rise "at a later date."

Walt O'Shea, a vice president in Hines' Jacksonville office, said the company still views the project as viable.

"It's a long-term plan to develop the project we've concepted," O'Shea said in response to the real estate market's uncertain time frame for recovery.

"For us it's a long-term commitment to the project and the site, whether that's 18 or 24 months. ... We'll relaunch marketing when the time is right."

Local real estate analyst Ray Rodriguez doesn't see the downtown market picking up anytime soon, especially since the city's plans for a new courthouse remain stalled.

"That's holding up downtown redevelopment," said Rodriguez, who owns the Real Estate Strategy Center of North Florida Inc. "Although it doesn't have anything to do with residential development it does have everything to do with momentum."

Consumer attitudes about spending and tougher standards for mortgage loans have affected the overall residential market, including downtown, Rodriguez said.

Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Executive Director Ron Barton agrees the market is on hold, but that's to be expected.

"Market cycles are market cycles," Barton said. "Jacksonville was into residential development much later than other cities, especially with the condo boom. ... We were late, so it's just a matter of how long this will last."

While O'Shea said it's hard to say exactly when the project will restart, the factors that led to its hold status are a little easier to identify.

Slow home sales throughout the real estate industry and excess inventory have put buyers looking to move from the suburbs to downtown in a difficult position.

"They have a house or other property to sell," O'Shea said. "That's clearly going to hinder them."

O'Shea declined to disclose the number of buyers or deposit amounts on The St. John, citing company policy.

Buyers will receive refunds on deposits, according to the news release.

Hines announced its plans for The St. John in 2005, with an unveiling last year of an all-glass design for the 300-unit tower. The company has a standing policy not to disclose the cost of its developments. The St. John was designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica International Corp. The project was scheduled to break ground in 2006, with construction finishing in 2008.

Its unique all-glass look and upscale style is something Barton is optimistic Jacksonville's skyline will still gain.

"Obviously, we're disappointed and would love to see that project go forward, and we think it will," Barton said.

"We won't get it immediately, but I'm optimistic we will."