13. Downtown Vision, Inc. Headquarters

A 20,660-square-foot ground floor space in the city’s Duval Street parking garage will become the next headquarters for Downtown Vision, Inc.

The commercial space at 33 West Duval Street, will include an entry hall, welcome center with retail use, restrooms, a meeting room, training space, a break room, offices, an open work area and more. The $2.21 million project is expected to be completed in spring 2023.

For more information: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/city-approves-dvi-headquarters-building-permit-at-duval-street-garage

14. Florida Baptist Convention Building

The adaptive reuse of the long abandoned First Baptist Convention Building nears completion. Originally constructed in 1924, the First Baptist Convention Building is notable for being the last office building in Downtown Jacksonville designed by Henry John Klutho. JWB Real Estate Capital is restoring the building into 24 apartments, two 2,000 square foot restaurants and 1,147 square feet of retail space. Combined, the Old Federal Reserve Bank and Florida Baptist Convention Buildings are estimated to cost $18.55 million to bring back to life.

For more information: 8 Major Urban Core Projects now underway

15. Old Federal Reserve Building

The adaptive reuse of the long abandoned Old Federal Reserve Building is nearing completion. Originally constructed in 1922, the Federal Reserve Bank Building is notable for being designed by Henrietta Dozier, Jacksonville’s first woman architect. Vacant for decades, the building was acquired for $1.75 million by JWB Real Estate. JWB intends to convert the building into a mixed-use development including restaurant, business and banquet space, along with an exterior courtyard for outdoor dining. Combined, the Old Federal Reserve Bank and Florida Baptist Convention Buildings are estimated to cost $18.55 million to bring back to life.

For more information: 8 Major Urban Core Projects now underway

16. Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park

In 2015, the Durkeeville Historical Society and City of Jacksonville collaborated to dedicate the birthsite of two native sons, James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson, as Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park. This site, located at 120 Lee St., is where the brothers composed their famous song “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” now known as the Black national anthem, in February 1900. Construction is now underway on the $2.5 million interactive public park designed by noted California-based landscape architect Walter Hood. Construction is expected to be completed in 2023.

For more information: DuPont Fund: Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park

17. City Grille & Raw Bar

Karen Belloit Thomas and John Nagy, owners of Eleven South and 3 Palms Grille, are in the process of renovating 1314 Prudential Drive into a new restaurant. Called City Grille & Raw Bar, the restaurant is expected to open by the end of the year.

For more information: Former Wine Cellar restaurant on Downtown Southbank to become City Grille & Raw Bar

18. Jacksonville Fire Museum

The Jacksonville Fire Museum was recently relocated to the Shipyards West area, to allow for the construction of a Four Seasons Hotel at Metropolitan Park. The $1.6 million city project will result in the historic brick structure anchoring a part of a new museum district at the Shipyards.

For more information: Fire Museum begins its move next week

19. Miller Electric Center

(Courtesy of 1st DownTown Jacksonville)

Construction continues on a $120 million sports performance center for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Sports and Entertainment District. The 127,087 square foot structure would be located on a 13.6 acre site bounded by TIAA Bank Field, Beaver, Franklin and Duval streets.

Officially known as the Miller Electric Center, the sports performance center will include executive offices, coaches’ offices, football support offices, scouts’ offices, equipment room, meeting rooms, weight training and medical facilities, an indoor practice field, and two outdoor natural grass fields, with approximately 2,100 seat bleachers, a team store, concession facilities and other ancillary improvements. The project will be completed in June 2023.

(Courtesy of 1st DownTown Jacksonville)

(Courtesy of 1st DownTown Jacksonville)

(Courtesy of 1st DownTown Jacksonville)

(Courtesy of 1st DownTown Jacksonville)

(Courtesy of 1st DownTown Jacksonville)

For more information: https://1stdowntownjacksonville.com/construction/

20. LaVilla Shotgun Houses

Work continues on the reconstruction of three historic shotgun houses located at the intersection of West Church and Jefferson Streets. since the 1990s. Sanborn maps indicate these houses were constructed between 1903 and 1912. They were originally located at 612, 614, and 616 Lee Street, which was a part of McIntosh & Reed’s Addition to LaVilla. Current plans by the Downtown Investment Authority involve one shotgun house being relocated to Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park, with two to remain on site.

21. Home2 Suites by Hilton

Construction on a new Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel continues at 600 Park Street. When complete, the all-suite extended-stay hotel will feature 100 rooms, lifestyle amenities and space for a restaurant with outdoor seating on the Roselle St. side. The 10,720 square foot building is being developed by a partnership between Kelco Management & Development and Corner Lot Development Group and is anticipated to cost $17 million. This is one of several new projects coming to Park Street in Brooklyn, a corridor with high potential to be redeveloped as a dense, pedestrian-friendly commercial strip.

22. Insomnia Cookies

Philadelphia-based Insomnia Cookies will be opening its second Jacksonville location in downtown. Known for serving and delivering cookies until the early morning hours, Insomnia Cookies will occupy a 1,154-square-foot storefront at 47 West Adams Street.

For more information: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2023/mar/21/insomnia-cookies-taking-storefront-downtown/

23. 1037 Hendricks Avenue

A plan to convert the former Reddi-Arts complex in the Southbank into a mixed-use property is underway. The project led by Dav-Lin Interior Contractors, Inc., involves selective demolition and adaptive reuse of the property to include 13,364 square feet of office and retail space. In addition, 39 off-street parking spaces and ample room for outdoor seating would be created throughout the property at 1037 Hendricks Avenue.

For more information: Renderings: 1037 Hendricks Avenue

24. One Riverside

Atlanta-based Fuqua Development is in the process of developing the $250 million One Riverside project in Brooklyn. The first phase of the 18.8-acre development will include a 43,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market grocery store, 11,000 square feet of retail space, 271 apartment units, structured parking and a riverfront restaurant. The second phase will include an additional 115 multifamily units, at least two riverfront or creekfront restaurants, 15,000 square feet of retail space and potentially a marina.

For more information: 1 Riverside Avenue

25. Lofts at Cathedral

The Lofts at Cathedral is a mixed-income project that would include the renovation of the Cathedral District’s former YWCA Building and the construction of a five-floor multifamily structure. Combined, the $28.78 million project will add 120 apartment units to the neighborhood. Approved by the Downtown Development Review Board in January 2022, the project is now under construction.

26. Four Seasons Hotel & Residences

Construction is underway for a long planned Four Seasons Hotel anchored mixed use development on the former grounds of Kids Kampus at Metropolitan Park. Being spearheaded by the Jaguars, Shad Khan’s Iguana Investments, the $370 million project will include a 176-room, 12-story five-star hotel, 25 luxury condos and a six-floor office building. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2026.

27. Times Union Bulkhead Replacement Project

Riverwalk bulkhead replacement work continues along the Northbank Riverwalk. The reconstruction of the docks destroyed by Hurricane Irma and Matthew several years ago is being funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for $3.895 million. The City of Jacksonville initially anticipated completion by late 2021.

For more information, call 630-CITY (2489) or visit COJ.net

28. USS Orleck

The USS Orleck recently relocated to its permanent home at the Jacksonville Shipyards. The ship museum will be open in a few weeks and serve as a cultural anchor of a proposed museum district in the immediate vicinity.

For more information: https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/04/03/moving-day-uss-orleck-relocates-to-permanent-home-at-shipyards-west/

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