News Summary
Haskell, a Jacksonville-based global building services company, is set to relocate its headquarters to 701 San Marco Blvd. to accommodate growth and celebrate its 60th anniversary. The move, supported by $4.25 million in city incentives, will centralize operations and enhance collaboration among its 650 employees. With plans for renovations and a new design by Gensler, Haskell’s transition is expected to be completed by early 2026, marking a significant investment in the local community and a return to ownership for the company.
Jacksonville, FL – Haskell, a global building services company based in Jacksonville, is set to relocate its headquarters to 701 San Marco Blvd., as part of a significant move aimed at accommodating its growth and celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. The new headquarters will occupy approximately 138,351 square feet across the 11th through 14th floors of the 19-story east wing of the recently named office tower.
The decision to move comes with a robust financial backing of $4.25 million in city incentives, derived under the code name “Project Blue Sky.” This incentive package includes a $2.3 million Recapture Enhanced Value Grant designed to offset increased property taxes over a 15-year period. Additionally, a Local Training Grant of up to $1.2 million is being offered, equating to $2,000 for each of the 600 jobs that Haskell intends to retain. Furthermore, a Local Targeted Industry Employment Grant of up to $750,000 will support the addition of 150 new jobs at an average salary of $118,000.
The transition process has begun following a communication to staff on March 4, 2024. Haskell’s full relocation is expected to be complete by early 2026. The company plans to invest a further $20 million into renovations and improvements for the new space, which will be designed by the architectural firm Gensler, based in San Francisco and Tampa.
Currently, Haskell operates from two separate offices at 111 and 245 Riverside Ave. This arrangement has grown impractical due to increased team size and operational expansion. The move will centralize their operations in one location, streamlining processes and enhancing collaboration within their workforce of 650 employees.
The 701 San Marco building, previously known as the Prudential Building, hosts nearly 750,000 square feet of Class A office space alongside a three-level parking garage, making it an attractive relocation option. Haskell has negotiated a 12-year lease, with options for two additional five-year extensions, indicating a long-term commitment to the area.
As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, another major tenant, will remain at 701 San Marco, Haskell’s departure from the Brooklyn area will vacate its current office spaces, potentially opening the doors for new developments in that region. The Downtown Investment Authority and the City Council approved Haskell’s incentive package with a remarkable 17-1 vote on December 10, 2024, showcasing strong community support for the company’s growth.
Haskell’s history in Jacksonville includes the construction of a three-story, nearly 120,000-square-foot building at 111 Riverside Ave. in 1986, which was sold in 2008. Since then, the company has opted for rentals, but the new headquarters signifies a strategic move back into ownership and further investment in the local community.
This relocation not only represents Haskell’s commitment to its future but also serves as a key marker of the firm’s identity as an innovative and community-leading entity in the building services sector. The newly designed space at 701 San Marco is expected to reflect these values and support Haskell’s ongoing mission for over six decades.
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- Jacksonville Daily Record: Details Emerge for Size, Scope of Blue Sky Haskell’s Downtown Move
- Wikipedia: Haskell Company
- Jacksonville.com: Haskell Moving Headquarters
- Google Search: Haskell Company headquarters relocation
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Haskell Matches Project Blue Sky
- Google Scholar: Haskell Company relocation
- Jacksonville Daily Record: DIA Board Approves Incentives for Project Blue Sky
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Downtown Jacksonville
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Project Blue Sky Incentives Approval
- Google News: Haskell Company
