<h1>DOWNTOWN</h1>
1. Lexington Hotel & Conference Center Jacksonville Riverwalk
Vantage Hospitality Group continues its $20 million renovation of the Lexington Hotel & Conference Center Jacksonville Riverwalk property.
Rooms will be renovated in phases with new carpeting, windows, balconies, doors and furnishings as well as redesigned bathrooms. The hotel will remain open during the project. The work will include an exterior re-facing, roof replacement, new windows, a renovated porte cochere in the front, the addition of a porte cochere at the entrance of the convention center in the back along Prudential Drive, a remodeled pool area, and a redesigned fifth-floor terrace. In the ground-floor public areas, the lobby, lounge and restaurant will see significant upgrades. Carpeting will be replaced by hard flooring and new furnishings will be added throughout, in addition to the drop ceilings. The lobby will be redesigned and moved closer to the front, opening up a sight-line to the pool area. It also will have a coffee bar and an art wall and water feature that will front most of the elevators, which now are exposed. The expanded lobby lounge will be rebuilt with a loggia so that part of the seating area will be outside under cover. The fitness center will be renovated and the ground-floor restaurant will be renovated with a covered outdoor seating area.
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For more information: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=546154
2.The First Coast Mohs Skin Center
Plans were underway to transform a 1.2-acre site, at Park and Rosselle Streets, into a 2-story 11,516 square foot medical office building and associated retail. The First Coast Mohs Skin Center would have occupied the first floor of the proposed Spanish-styled structure. “Mohs” refers to a technique that removes cancerous tissue with minimal effects to healthy tissue. The second floor would have been for general offices. The building’s footprint would have faced Park Street with parking in the rear, along Rosselle and Chelsea Streets. The project was originally anticipated to be completed by November 2016. However, construction has not started and construction fencing was been recently removed.
For more information: https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-mar-medical-office-building-proposed-in-brooklyn
3. Breezy Jazz Club
Tenant improvements continue at 119 West Adams Street for a new restaurant and live entertainment venue called the Breezy Jazz Club. The owners, Thea and Bernett Jeffers, intend to create an atmosphere that embraces the fullness of Jazz and enriches the heart of downtown. Breezy Jazz club anticipates a JUne 30, 2017 opening.
For more information: https://breezyjazzclub.com/
4. First Watch
First Watch, the “daytime” café, is in the process of expanding with a new location in Brooklyn Station. The breakfast-brunch-and-lunch restaurant will take over the more than 4,000-square-foot free-standing building that formerly housed the Corner Bakery Café at 192 Riverside Avenue.
For more information: https://residentnews.net/2017/04/05/first-watch-planned-brooklynriverside/
5. Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center - Greyhound Intercity Bus Terminal
Construction on the first phase of the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC) continues at West Forsyth and Stuart Streets. When complete, the footprint of the $8 million Intercity Bus Terminal will resemble recently built Greyhound stations in Nashville, Baltimore and Sacramento. Those 10,000 square foot facilities include multiple bus bays, a full-service restaurant, ticket counter and automated ticket machines.
Plans also call for wider sidewalks in the vicinity to encourage more pedestrian activity. Construction on phase one of the JRTC is expected to last 12 months. A ground breaking for the second phase was held on June 20, 2017. Anticipated for completion in September 2019, that phase will include a terminal for local fixed bus routes, a First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit hub, Skyway station and administrative offices.
6. Le Parisien
NAI Hallmart Partners recently leased ground level retail space in EverBank Plaza to Le Parisien. The French bistro plans to open its doors in fall 2017.
For more information: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2017/05/22/french-bistro-signs-lease-to-open-along-riverside.html
7. Coastline Drive
Work continues on the City of Jacksonville’s $31 million project to reconstruct the Coastline Drive Bridge, Liberty Street Brige and remove the courthouse parking lot over the St. Johns River. In addition, a new Northbank Riverwalk will be constructed along Coastline Drive, Market Street, Courthouse Drive and Liberty Street. Currently, Coastline Drive and the riverwalk in front of the Hyatt are being redeveloped.
For more information: https://www.moderncities.com/article/2016-sep-massive-northbank-riverfront-redevelopment-underway
8. Lofts of LaVilla
Construction continues on Vestcor Companies Lofts of Lavilla. The $22-million, 5-story affordable housing project will contain 130 apartment units adjacent to the Skyway at Lee and Bay Streets. Supported by a $270,000 loan from the Downtown Economic Development Fund and $270,000 from the Jacksonville Housing Finance Authority, the project is anticipated for completion by the end of 2017.
For more information: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=547776
9. 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
10. Cowford Chophouse
The restoration of the historic Bostwick Building continues to make progress. Forking Amazing Restaurants intends to convert the structure into an upscale steakhouse restaurant called the Cowford Chophouse. When complete in 2017, the two floor dining establishment will feature a rooftop lounge with spectacular views of the city.
11. Elena Flats
Jack Meeks and his wife, JoAnn Tredennick, continue to make progress on the renovation of 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 2017.
12. Broadstone River House Apartments
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Vertical construction continues 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.
(Mike Field)
For more information: https://www.allresco.com/archives/2088