News Summary
The Downtown Development Review Board in Jacksonville is preparing to approve the final design for Pearl Square Block N7. The mixed-use development, which will be built on the site of the former First Baptist Church auditorium, includes a Publix grocery store, retail spaces, a parking garage, and a residential tower. The project has seen escalating costs and expanding scope since its announcement, with completion anticipated by 2027.
Jacksonville Downtown Development Review Board to Approve Pearl Square Block N7 Design
The Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) is set to consider final design approval for Pearl Square Block N7, a major mixed-use development located on the site of the former First Baptist Church main auditorium in Jacksonville. This approval comes following the conceptual approval granted on August 14, which included specific conditions for further development.
The planned project will feature a full-service Publix grocery store, various retail spaces, a parking garage, and a residential tower. The announcement of Publix as the grocer tenant was made on September 3, marking a significant milestone in the project’s development timeline. Final design renderings have been submitted to the DDRB which showcase revisions to the storefront and window design at the intersections of Hogan and West Beaver streets.
On October 9, the developer, Gateway Jax, will meet with DDRB staff for a deviation workshop to discuss the ground floor transparency requirements set by city regulations. Currently, the proposed design does not meet the city overlay requirements that mandate at least 50% of the building façade between 2 and 10 feet above the sidewalk to be transparent. However, exceptions are possible for unique Downtown properties, security concerns, or needs for weatherproofing.
Cyndy Trimmer, the land use attorney for Gateway Jax, explained that the need for deviation stems from the challenges of incorporating a grocery store in an urban environment.
Project Details
Pearl Square Block N7 will include a 15-story apartment tower with approximately 250 residential units, six levels of parking, a 32,000-square-foot Publix, and an additional 7,000 square feet of retail space. The development spans around 1.5 acres, bordered by Union, Beaver, Hogan, and Laura streets. DDRB’s conceptual approval conditions emphasize coordinated efforts on site furnishings, hardscaping, landscaping, compliance with previous auditorium demolition, and the enhancement of pedestrian connectivity.
The staff of DDRB has also recommended that Gateway Jax create an art installation or similar feature that would face Hogan and Union streets, aiming to integrate community art into the development.
Investment and Timeline
With an anticipated total investment of $750 million, Pearl Square represents a significant mixed-use development in Jacksonville’s NorthCore area. The partnership responsible for Gateway Jax includes the principal Bryan Moll, JWB Real Estate Capital, and DLP Capital. In 2022, the existing auditorium and adjoining parking garage were purchased by Corner Lot and JWB Real Estate Capital for a combined total of approximately $8.39 million.
Since the project’s unveiling in 2023, the cost estimates have escalated from $419 million to $750 million, and the project’s scope has expanded from five to nine properties. If fully developed, the overall investment could exceed $2 billion for more than 20 Downtown properties, with projected plans indicating that Pearl Square will cover 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use space featuring upscale amenities, parks, and a full-service grocery store.
The construction process has already begun for over 500 residential units and 40,000 square feet of retail space. A groundbreaking for a second building housing nearly 300 residential units and retail space has also commenced. Completion of the overall Pearl Square project is anticipated by 2027.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Pearl Square Approval
- The Jaxson Mag: Pearl Square Block N7 Renderings
- Jacksonville.com: Gateway Jax Pearl Square Video
- Multifamily Biz: Groundbreaking on Gateway Jax
- Google Search: Jacksonville Development
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
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