Adaptive Reuse and Rebirth

After closing a few years ago, the vacant complex was acquired by 95 Arch Partners QOZ Fund LLC. in September 2019. The development team that includes Tom Finnegan of Charleston, South Carolina, Ken Grimes, senior managing director and partner of Patterson Real Estated Advisory Group in Charleston, and Trip Stanly, managing member of Blackwater Capital LLC in Jacksonville, intends to transform the property into a mixed-use project called Dennis + Ives. This week, the Jaxson was invited to take a look inside the warehouse complex and learn a bit more about the developer’s intentions with the project.

Phase 1A

CREATIVE OFFICE SPACE

Built of solid concrete, this 40,305 square foot cold storage warehouse was added west of the original ice plant in 1954, accommodating a loss of industrial space associated with the construction of Interstate 95. Benefiting from a post COVID environment creating a demand for creative alternative healthy office space, the first phase of the project will involve the adaptive reuse of this warehouse into office space. The city is currently reviewing permit applications at the cost of nearly $1.7 million for what has been labeled as Phase 1A. The redevelopment of this building is anticipated to be completed by the third quarter of 2021.

Phase 1B

Phase 1B involves the conversion of three additional spaces into food and beverage uses.

FOOD HALL

Named for the cross streets of Dennis and Ives, conceptual plans prepared by Jacksonville-based Design/Cooperative LLC. also include a small food hall in a space originally constructed as a loading dock. Similar to recently opened food halls in Lakeland and Fort Lauderdale, the 12,000 square foot food hall component could include a craft brewery, bar and space for four additional vendors that would share a communal interior and exterior dining area. The space would also be designed to contain a stage that could be used for special events.

An outside area previously used for truck loading would possibly serve a duel role as off-street parking and outdoor special event space.