Planning and Preservation Accomplishments

  • City discontinued street car service, removing tracks and installing green space in North Palafox’s median between Garden and Wright Streets (1932)

  • Palafox Street extends through both Pensacola Historic District (added to National Register of Historic Places 1970) and the North Hill Historic District (added to National Register 1983)

  • Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency created in 1980; charged with preserving and improving Palafox’s historic architecture, maintaining landscaping and sidewalks

  • Crepe Myrtle trees along Palafox help Pensacola gain designation as a Tree City USA (1990)

  • City’s 2010 comprehensive plan calls for stronger historic preservation measures; also focuses on Palafox’s economic development and connection to waterfront

  • City and county join together in 2013 to place removable bollards at all entrances to the Palafox entertainment district

Source: American Planning Association

March 2011

May 2019

Al Fresco Food Court

November 2009

May 2019

Al Fresco is a food truck court featuring five airstream trailers, outdoor seating and landscaping on a former vacant lot at the intersection of Palafox Street and Main Street.

Shux Oyster Bar

July 2011

May 2019

Shux Oyster Bar now anchors the Al Fresco Food Court.

One Palafox Place

November 2011

May 2019

At the corner of Palafox and Garden Street and Palafox, One Palafox Place may be Pensacola’s largest and most important restoration project underway in downtown. Currently being restored, the century-old Brent and Blount buildings will offer over 200,000 square feet of commercial space when complete. Also home to 45,000 square feet of retail space, the development includes the conversion of storefront into an open-air pedestrian breezeway through the property, creating additional space for more retailers.

Southtowne Apartments

April 2013

May 2019

The recently completed Southtowne Apartments by Studer Properties are a testament to the successful revitalization and activation of Palafox Street’s existing buildings. In 2016, ground was broken on the infill project that features 258 apartment units, office and retail space one block east of Palafox.

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