News Summary
Visual Comfort & Co., the designer lighting company, is set to enhance Jacksonville’s retail landscape with a new showroom at Town Center II. This project, alongside new tenants Belamo and Zubi’s Diamonds and Gems, aims to revitalize the area, which is nearing 70% occupancy. The expansion includes significant investments in tenant spaces and the development of upscale shopping options, anticipated to open in September.
Jacksonville – Visual Comfort & Co., a prominent designer lighting company, is set to establish a new showroom at Town Center II on Big Island Drive. This expansion comes as part of a broader development initiative that also includes leases from two other businesses: the Belgian patio furniture company Belamo and Zubi’s Diamonds and Gems, both of which will enhance the retail landscape in the area.
The Jacksonville city officials are currently reviewing a permit application for Visual Comfort, which plans to invest approximately $350,000 in improving its 4,000-square-foot tenant space. The company’s presence in Florida currently includes showrooms in Coral Gables, Miami, Naples, and Tampa, with a new location on the way in West Palm Beach. Visual Comfort operates over 60 showrooms across the U.S. and the U.K., providing a variety of designer lighting options.
Belamo, another recent addition to Town Center II, has roots in Belgium and the Netherlands, with existing showrooms in Aventura, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Naples. The city is also assessing a build-out permit for Belamo for a 4,900-square-foot space projected to cost $50,000. Zubi’s Diamonds and Gems has signed a lease for their second location, which follows their successful operation in Gainesville’s Celebration Pointe shopping center.
Earlier in January, city permits were issued to Florida Nova LLC for the construction of the Outparcels at Town Center II on a 1.02-acre site. This project is valued at $2 million and encompasses a shell structure of 16,063 square feet, which will be divided into individual tenant spaces. The total facility will feature 14,063 square feet on its first floor and an additional 2,000 square feet on the upper level.
Tiffany Ashurian from Ashco noted that the development project is progressing well, with Visual Comfort and the other tenants moving forward with their respective plans. Ashco seeks to finalize leases with additional tenants as well, indicating that the project is nearing 70% occupancy with remaining spaces ranging from 1,200 to 7,200 square feet.
The overall initiative involves the demolition of a former Wendy’s fast-food restaurant, acquired by Ashco in February 2023. The demolition received approval for an $8,000 project cost on April 8, 2024. Ashco’s development at Town Center II aims to transform this location into a modern and upscale retail space, strategically situated among high-end brands like Gucci and Chanel.
Phase I of the development, located at 4853 Big Island Drive, is fully occupied by businesses such as Modani Furniture, Elase Med Spa, Mayday Ice Cream, DOS Coffee, and Talkin’ Tacos. The entire project’s completion is slated for early summer of the following year, with the new Visual Comfort showroom scheduled to open in September 2025.
In summary, the new development at Town Center II is poised to invigorate local shopping options with upscale retailers. As tenant build-outs progress and the project continues to move forward, the transformation of this area promises to offer residents and visitors an enhanced shopping experience.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Jacksonville Welcomes New Retail Spaces at Town Center II
Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Visual Comfort Preparing Town Center Area Store
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- CoStar: International Lighting Solutions Company Brings Visual Comfort to Jacksonville, Florida
- Google Search: Lighting Design
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Outparcels at Town Center II Permitted for Construction
- Google Scholar: Retail Development
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Designer Lighting, Patio Furniture Stores Announced for Town Center II
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Commercial Real Estate
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Zubi’s Diamonds and Gems Coming to Outparcels at Town Center II
- Google News: Urban Development
