Hotel Bellamy

1201 Riverplace Boulevard

Sotherly Hotels Inc. recently announced plans to renovate the DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront on the Downtown Southbank. The $14.6 million project will include renaming the property under Hilton’s Hotel Bellamy brand. Planned improvements include redesigned guest rooms, public and exterior spaces, and existing food and beverage offerings. Anticipated to be completed by January 2027, the project will include a new riverfront dining concept, complimenting the hotel’s Ruth’s Chris Steak House, along the Southbank Riverwalk.

Jersey Mike’s Subs

90 Riverside Avenue

National sandwich shop chain Jersey Mike’s Subs will be opening its latest Jacksonville location in Downtown’s Brooklyn neighborhood. Jersey Mike’s Subs will occupy a 1,400-square-foot restaurant in the Brooklyn Station shopping center on Riverside Avenue. The project has an estimated build-out cost of $300,000.

Players Grille

600 Park Street and 1430 Prudential Drive

In expansion mode, Players Grille is in the process of planning its fourth location in Northeast Florida and first in Downtown Jacksonville. With an intent to open in time for the kickoff of the 2024 NFL season, Players Grille will build out a 4,500-square-foot restaurant and sports bar inside the new Home2Suites by Hilton hotel in Brooklyn. The restaurant will include indoor and outdoor seating for roughly 160 patrons on the ground floor of the extended-stay hotel that opened in April.

In addition, Players Grille Group LLC intends to establish a new restaurant, bar and event space at 1430 Prudential Drive. Anticipated to open later this year, the new food and beverage concept will be located in the Downtown Southbank immediately adjacent to the proposed Lofts at Southbank mixed-use self storage project.

Pour Taproom and Pizza Jeans

28 West Forsyth Street

Construction is underway on a $3.65 million build-out for the proposed Pour Taproom and Pizza Jeans restaurant in the VyStar Credit Union parking garage. The restaurant/bar concept will occupy a 7,634 square foot ground floor and mezzanine retail space at the corner of West Forsyth and Laura Streets. Based in Atlanta, Pour Taproom is a self-serve craft beer option with locations in Atlanta, Buffalo, Charleston, Durham, Knoxville and Wilmington. The Downtown Jacksonville location will offer more than 80 beers and wines.

Editorial by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com