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The North Core Projects: Together, They Total More Than $233 Million

October 01, 2021
Here is a look at eight projects underway in the Downtown Jacksonville North Core.
 

Ashley & Hogan Street Apartments

211 W. Ashley St. and 604 N. Hogan St.

Investment: $40 million-$45 million

Developers: Jim and Ellen Wiss through AWP331 LLC

The project: Mixed-use residential with about 185 apartments and 12,000 square feet of commercial retail space.

Where it stands: The National Park Service is reviewing the historic buildings. Site plans are complete. Jim and Ellen Wiss said they have sent a financing package proposal to project backers and could file for city incentives in 30 to 45 days. 

Why the North Core?: “We’re firm believers in looking at all cities similar to Jacksonville where their downtowns have redeveloped. It’s all happened from the core,” Jim Wiss said. “We believe in urban cores.” 

Timeline: Groundbreaking fourth quarter 2022 or first quarter 2023.


Jones Brothers Furniture Co.

502, 520 and 524 N. Hogan St.

Investment: Estimated $30 million

Developers: Corner Lot Development Group and ACE JAX LLC

The project: Historic renovation and new construction for about 100 market-rate residential units and about 10,000 square feet of retail/office space.

Where it stands: Jones Brothers is in the design phase, according to Corner Lot Companies CEO Andy Allen.

Why the North Core?: “Jones Brothers has always been a specific property that I’ve always wanted to develop,” Allen said.“When Alex (Sifakis) and Bryan (Greiner) came in (to the North Core), it’s like rising tides lift all ships and it made sense.”

Timeline: Developers plan to submit the project for city historic incentives by the end of 2021 and seek a property tax rebate for the new construction. Groundbreaking is expected in 2022.


Federal Reserve Bank Building

424 N. Hogan St.

Investment: $7.7 million 

Developer: JWB Real Estate Capital LLC

The project: Historic adaptive reuse of the four-story, 18,430-square-foot building for restaurant, business and event space. 

Where it stands: Building permits are approved and construction is expected to start late November.

Why the North Core?: “We think it’s really important to cluster development to make it successful, especially in Downtown. So, knowing that there were a number of developers that already owned property or were eyeing property in the area was really important,” said Alex Sifakis, JWB Real Estate Capital president. He also noted the proximity to the center of Downtown.

Timeline: Construction is expected to be completed by August 2022.


Florida Baptist Convention Building

218 W. Church St.

Investment: $9.85 million 

Developer: JWB Real Estate Capital LLC

The project: Historic adaptive reuse of the five-story, almost 26,000-square-foot building for restaurant space, retail suites and 24 studio and one-bedroom apartments on the upper floors. An outdoor courtyard will connect the project with the adjacent Seminole and Federal Reserve buildings.

Where it stands: Under construction. 

Timeline: Construction is expected to be completed by July 2022. 


Porter House Mansion 

510 N. Julia St.

Investment: $43.2 million 

Developer: JWB Real Estate Capital LLC

The project: The first phase is a renovation of the historic mansion for 10,000 square feet of office space on the upper three floors for a single-tenant. The 4,300-square-foot basement will be leased to a restaurant/retail operator. The second phase includes a mixed-use, 160-unit residential building. 

Where it stands: JWB President Alex Sifakis said his company has a letter of intent from the office user but has not completed a lease agreement. The city is reviewing a construction permit for the project’s exterior renovations. JWB is awaiting City Council approval on $670,000 in historic restoration incentives. Design work has started for the second phase. 

Timeline: The first phase is expected to be completed by early 2022. Second-phase construction could begin in mid-2022.


Ambassador Hotel 

420 N. Julia St.

Investment: $18 million

Developers: AXIS Hotels LLC (Augustine Development Group)

The project: Historic restoration for a 100-room TRYP by Wyndham Hotel with a “SoHo concept” ground-floor restaurant.

Where it stands: Demolition is complete and restoration work is underway. 

Why the North Core?: “You have the State Attorney’s Office, the county courthouse, the federal courthouse, City Hall all adjacent to (the North Core). It’s the natural expansion of a solid development core,” said George Bochis, Augustine Development Group CEO. “Those assets adjacent to it are never going anywhere.”

Timeline: Construction is expected to be completed by early summer 2022.


Independent Life Building

233 W. Duval St.

Investment: $35 million

Developers: PEP10 LLC (Augustine Development Group)

The project: Historic adaptive reuse for the 19-story, 135-unit mixed-use residential tower. Plans include a 21,000- square-foot “neighborhood market” grocery and a 10,000-square-foot sky lounge restaurant on the top floor.

Where it stands: Interior demolition is underway. Augustine Development Group CEO George Bochis said he expects the city building permit to be approved within days but needs to finalize construction closing, including a historic tax credits sale. 

Timeline: Construction is expected to be completed by January 2023.


Central National Bank Building

404 N. Julia St.

Investment: Estimated $50 million

Developers: AXIS 404 Julia LLC (Augustine Development Group)

The project: Historic adaptive reuse and new construction project with 139 apartment units and a gym for public and Ambassador Hotel guest use.

Where it stands: The project needs final Downtown Development Review Board design approval. Augustine Development Group CEO George Bochis said the project also is waiting for review by the National Park Service to proceed with historic renovation. Bochis said Augustine Group will approach the city for historic financial incentives. The project received the OK from the State Historic Preservation Office. 

Timeline: Construction is expected to be completed in 2023.


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