8. City Hall
Renovation work continues to take place on the historic St. James Building. Originally completed in 1912 as a department store, the building currently serves as Jacksonville’s City Hall.
9. First Coast Fashions
First Coast Fashions, a women’s apparel retailer specializing in health, wellness, anti-aging, skincare, name brand apparel, clubwear and dancewear will be opening soon at 223 North Hogan Street. FCF anticipates opening this summer.
For more information: https://www.firstcoastfashions.com/?page_5398963=4
10. The Bank Barbecue and Bakery
A new restaurant called The Bank Barbecue and Bakery will be opening in this fall at 331 West Forsyth Street.
11. Laura Apartments
Ron Chamblin, owner of the city’s largest independent bookstore, is in the process of restoring a three story building at 225 North Laura Street. When complete, the 100-year-old building will include six apartments above street level retail.
Full article: https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-may-downtown-residential-project-underway#.U__RV_ldUYk
12. Cowford Chophouse
The restoration of the historic Bostwick Building continues to move forward. Forking Amazing Restaurants intends to convert the structure into an upscale steakhouse restaurant called the Cowford Chophouse. When complete later this year, the two floor dining establishment will feature a rooftop lounge with spectacular views of the city.
13. Riverside YMCA
Construction continues on the new YMCA on Riverside Avenue. The new facility will be 72,000 square feet, about 8,000 square feet bigger than the current one, which was built in the 1950s. Work is expected to be completed this year.
For more information: https://jacksonville.com/business/2015-05-05/story/construction-begin-soon-new-ymca-riverside-avenue
14. Elena Flats
Jack Meeks and his wife, JoAnn Tredennick, recently purchased the Elena Flats building at 122 E. Duval St. Work is underway to convert the former rooming house into four market-rate apartment units. Barring unforeseen complications, the apartments should be ready for rent in early 2017.
15. Intuition Ale Works/Manifest Distilling
The 36,000-square foot warehouse at 929 East Bay Street is being converted into a new brewery and distillery. Intuition Ale Works will occupy roughly 60% of the structure. Manifest Distilling will occupy the structure’s remaining space. Intuition Ale Works is anticipated to open its new location in summer 2016. Manifest will open in summer 2016.
For more information: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/11/06/new-distillery-to-open-in-downtown-jacksonville.html
16. Broadstone River House Apartments
Sitework is underway on the Alliance Residential Company’s Broadstone River House Apartments project on the Southbank. The 265-unit multifamily project will replace a 3.7-acre surface parking lot adjacent to the Duval County School Board building.
For more information: https://www.allresco.com/archives/2088
17. State & Union Street Resurfacing Project
The Florida Department of Transportation is investing $13 million in the resurfacing of State and Unions Streets and the Mathews Expressway between I-95 and MLK, Jr. Parkway. The 4-mile project includes repairing and replacing sidewalks, upgrades to handicap-accessible sidewalk ramps, crosswalks and repair to storm drain pipes and inlets. Also included in this project is the conversion of Main Street, between State and Union Streets, from a one-way to a two-way street. This project is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2017.
For more information: https://myfdotnefl.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/state-street-union-street-and-mathews-expressway-resurfacing-project-2/
18. FSCJ Dormitory
The Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) is in the process of converting the long vacant Lerner Shops Building into student housing. When complete, FSCJ plans to house up to 60 students in the structure at 20 W. Adams Street. In addition, FSCJ plans to open a “Panera-style” culinary café on the building’s ground floor that will act as showcase for the school’s culinary program.
For more information: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2016/02/fscj-student-housing-capitalizes-on-larger-trends.html
19. Level Jacksonville
Chicago-based Iconic Investors LLC acquired the 106-year old Groover-Stewart Drug Company warehouse building for $2.05 million. The 53,000 square-foot Groover Stewart Building is located at 25 Market Street, the 53,000-square foot building is in the process of being renovated into office uses.
20. EverBank Field
Construction is underway on a new flex field and amphitheater at EverBank Field. The 5,500-seat amphitheater and flex field, which will be used for an indoor practice facility, as well as an events and entertainment venue, have been portrayed as a “game changer” by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan.
For more information: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/03/17/jaguars-amphitheater-flex-field-construction-to.html
21. Bold City Brewery Downtown
Bold City Brewery is in the process of opening a new brewery and taproom at 109 E. Bay Street, next to the Cowford Chophouse. The new three-barrel system downtown location is intended to give brewers a chance to try new recipes and brew small, single batches.
For more information: https://jacksonville.com/business/2015-12-01/story/bold-city-adding-downtown-brewery
22. Breezy Jazz Club
The Breezy Jazz Club will be opening soon at 119 West Adams Street. It will be a place where people can enjoy drinks, food and live music all at once.
For more information: https://breezyjazzclub.com/
23. Drybar
Drybar, a hair chain specializing in blowouts is in the process of opening its first Florida location in Brooklyn Station. The new salon will occupy a 1,400-square-foot space between Zoe’s Kitchen and The Hyppo.
For more information: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/07/12/popular-hair-salon-chain-to-open-in-brooklyn.html