News Summary
The Jacksonville City Council has approved the expansion of the Gateway Jax development into Springfield, marking a significant transformation for the historic neighborhood. This project includes rezoning and land-use amendments for three properties on North Main Street, which will feature offices, retail spaces, restaurants, and multifamily dwellings. The Gateway Jax initiative, in partnership with developer Bryan Moll and others, aims to revitalize the area with an estimated investment exceeding $2 billion, promising a vibrant community space and economic growth.
Exciting Developments for Jacksonville: Gateway Jax Expands into Springfield
Big news is coming out of Jacksonville as the City Council has given the green light for the expansion of the Gateway Jax development into the historic neighborhood of Springfield! This vote took place on February 11, and the excitement is palpable in the air as it marks a significant step forward for both Gateway Jax and the community.
What’s in Store?
The approved legislation includes rezoning and land-use amendments for three properties located along the bustling intersection of State and Main streets. The addresses in focus are 901, 937, and 940 N. Main St. With this new development plan, these sites are set to undergo a transformation into a vibrant hub featuring a mix of office, retail, service establishments, restaurants, and multifamily dwellings.
Details on the Properties
What’s interesting to note is that 901 N. Main St. includes some remnants of the recently demolished Park View Inn’s parking structure, paving the way for a fresh start in that area. Meanwhile, the property at 937 N. Main St. is home to the Claude Nolan Cadillac building, a beautifully designed structure by renowned Jacksonville architect Henry Klutho. Additionally, part of these parcels was previously utilized by Florida State College at Jacksonville.
In total, the redevelopment will cover approximately 5.1 acres in this vibrant part of town, and the excitement doesn’t stop there!
A Collaborative Effort
The Gateway Jax initiative is a partnership among developer Bryan Moll, JWB Real Estate Capital, and DLP Capital. This collaboration has already secured over two dozen properties in Jacksonville’s Downtown and Springfield areas. The potential investments from this project could exceed a whopping $2 billion—now that’s a big deal!
Property Swaps and Future Plans
As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also news of a proposed property swap introduced by the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA). This involves two city-owned riverfront properties being exchanged for the vacant Interline Brands Inc. building at 801 W. Bay St., which is owned by Gateway Jax. The city plans to use the Interline building as a new campus for a University of Florida graduate center. Meanwhile, Gateway Jax has plans to create a spectacular mixed-use development on one of the swapped properties at Riverfront Plaza, including a 17-story building with residential units, hotel components, and more!
In addition to that, the other property in the swap is a parking lot near Riverfront Plaza, previously the site of the Jacksonville Landing. The resolution for this swap, known as DIA Resolution 2025-02-04, includes options for the parking lot property to be made available for public disposition if all goes according to plan.
Upcoming Projects and Economic Impact
Just to keep the excitement rolling, Gateway Jax acquired the Interline building for $4 million last October, with plans to kick off groundbreaking for their first project, Pearl Square, expected around October. Pearl Square is part of a much larger, previously announced $500 million mixed-use development. It will feature residential units, grocery stores, and an array of retail spaces at 515 Pearl St.
When completed, the Pearl Street District is anticipated to include over 1,000 residential units, more than 100,000 square feet of retail, and public spaces designed for community engagement, including widened sidewalks and parks. Economic experts estimate that the combined developments from Gateway Jax could provide an astounding annual economic impact of about $750 million!
As Jacksonville gears up for these changes, the sense of community involvement remains strong, and there’s no doubt that these developments will spell progress for Springfield and the surrounding areas. With this transformation on the horizon, residents can look forward to a more vibrant, bustling landscape in their city!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Jax Daily Record: Council Clears Path for Gateway Jax to Expand into Springfield
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville, Florida
- Jacksonville.com: Gateway Jax to Begin Construction on First Downtown Building in October
- Google Search: Gateway Jax Jacksonville development
- News4Jax: Ground Broken on Pearl Street District
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville
- Jacksonville.com: Jacksonville, University of Florida, and Developer Talk Land Swap
- Google News: Jacksonville Gateway Jax development
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
