The Shipyards Convention Center - Iguana Investments Florida - 2018
Rendering courtesy of Iguana Investments Florida.
Torpedoing long term plans and an active Request for Proposal process to develop a convention center adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Riverfront, in August 2018, Iguana Investments announced its new vision for the construction of a riverfront convention center and accompanying hotel at the Shipyards. A new set of high quality renderings illustrated a 490,000-square-foot state-of-the-art public convention center that would include a 200,000-square-foot multi-purpose exhibit hall, a 40,000-square-foot ballroom with elevated views of the river and 45 breakout rooms. A 350-key full-service hotel would connect to the convention space and offer additional ballroom and meeting space, a rooftop pool and ground floor retail and restaurant opportunities along Bay Street.
Rendering courtesy of Iguana Investments Florida.
Lot J & The Shipyards - Iguana Investments Florida - 2019
Rendering courtesy of Iguana Investments Florida.
By early 2019, plans for residential, retail and entertainment uses at the Shipyards were incorporated into Lot J. Lot J is envisioned as a $500 million mixed-use development adjacent to TIAA Bank Field. Anticipated to be built on top of the Lot J parking lot immediately west of TIAA Bank Field and Daily’s Place, the mixed-use project would include a massive parking garage, 300-unit luxury residential tower, 200-room boutique hotel, office building and an outdoor Live arena bounded by Daily’s Place, Gator Bowl Boulevard, Georgia and Adams Streets. The long term vision was for Lot J to serve as the first phase of a $2.5 billion mixed-use node around the stadium that would be incrementally developed as the market allows.
Rendering courtesy of Iguana Investments Florida.
Rendering courtesy of Iguana Investments Florida.
During a City Council Finance Committee meeting on August 18, 2020, it was announced that the deal for Iguana Investments Florida LLC to develop the Shipyards had expired. While there is no timeline for will happen with the property next, Iguana Investments and other developers interested in the riverfront site will be able to submit new proposals and a next round of renderings to add to our digital collection.
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com