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Despite being painted ghoulishly as the boogey man of Main Street by several urban advocates and pilloried in sinister tones as a result on the front page of Folio Weekly, (Coincidentally, Trendel's former employer---he sold ads for the weekly entertainment magazine) Chris Hionides is a significant player amongst the landowners of the urban core.
In the past two years, his investments, through the work of Trendel, have paid enormous dividends for the downtown.
Rich Trendel, Petra Management
Petra Management is the longtime landlord of downtown pub institution, The London Bridge. But it was also Petra that brokered the deal to bring Chamblin's Book Mine and Cafe to Hemming Park.
The streak didn't end there but continued on with the opening of Cafe 331 on Forsyth Street, followed quickly by the announcement that Club Ivy would be debuting on the Bay Street Corridor.
These were joined by Poppy Loves Smoke, in the same building as The London Bridge, and the momentum only seems to have gained with aggressive new moves on the young property manager's part with the announcement that after a decade of vacancy, the old Woolworth Building at the corner of Main and Forsyth would be reborn as the showplace for Perdue Office Furniture, and the near simultaneous news that a new bar would be opening on Forsyth across from The Florida Theater called Dos Gatos (two cats)----all Petra properties.
By developing these businesses quietly and with little fanfare, Trendel has done more than anyone to establish a walkable, entertainment based draw for the urban core and should be congratulated for his work and commitment to filling the buildings of the family's downtown empire.
They are presently looking to develop another small club at the Holmes Building near the Ivy.
And how has Trendel managed to succeed with commercial leasing in this economy?
Through working with the various ownership groups and patiently helping to develop the downtown vibe.
Lets hope this is just the beginning.
Downtown could use 3 or 4 more landowners like this.
A brief look at businesses now occupying Petra properties:
1. Poppy Loves Smoke - Adams Street
2. Dos Gatos, currently under construction on Forsyth Street
3. London Bridge - A mainstay at the corner of Ocean and Adams Street
4. Perdue Office Interior - currently under construction on the corner of Main and Forsyth Streets.
5. The Ivy - Bay Street
6. Cafe 331 - Forsyth Street
Article by Stephen Dare
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thelakelander
November 11, 2009, 06:33:23 AMIts great to see what many on these forums (including my self at one point) thought was DT and Springfield's largest slumlord turn out to be completely different. Over the last few months, outside of the courthouse, nearly every single new project in the DT core has involved Petra management. With the amount of property they own, lets hope the urban community attempts to work more with them to help secure tenants for their vacant properties.
heights unknown
November 11, 2009, 08:58:01 AMAppears that he is becoming the "Master Cylinder" for Pubs, Bars and Restaurants in downtown Jacksonville. Being that it appears that he is becoming a magnate in that area, I see him opening other venues around the Jax Metro, that's what it appears is happening with him; Slum Lord no more! Great Job Rich; keep up the good work in Downtown Jax, Jax Metro and the First Coast!
Heights Unknown
JeffreyS
November 11, 2009, 08:58:30 AMDo we have a map of Chris Hionides owned properties in the core?
Dan B
November 11, 2009, 09:08:57 AMIn fairness Lake, it wasnt until Rich was brought on board that things changed. Rich was a welcome change from the less-than-helpful woman that held his position for many years before him (Mary something-or-other). He has been easy to communicate with, he shares ideas, things that he is working on, hopeful projects, and is generally speaking a very good person to work with. Its easy to root for him, as he tried to make something out of his father-in-laws real estate empire.
The accusations about a "war" with Hionides are overblown, and based on comments on this and other forums before Rich was the man running Petra.
Jason
November 11, 2009, 10:00:19 AMMaybe it was the media's tongue lashing over the past couple years (MetroJax included) that inspired him to make changes? Nonetheless, he has quite the resume of properties and seemingly the leverage to make some bold moves for the benefit of the urban core and Springfield.
Kudos to all involved with making this a reality.
Dan B
November 11, 2009, 10:04:42 AMAgreed.
fsu813
November 11, 2009, 10:36:08 AMRich is a nice (very busy) guy. Though he lives out at the beach, he's in Springfield regualrly. He's fixing up the red-brick apartments on 4th & Silver and took part in the local parks improvment project as well.
I've only met Hionedes once, had lunch with him, and he's very "godfather-like". He's a major player in the Tapestry Park "urban" complex on the SS too.
That said, his philopsophy for keeping property without improvments for a long period of time has been a negative as well.
Joe
November 11, 2009, 10:41:05 AMWow. Why the hell is metrojacksonville lauding Petra for finally leasing out a small percentage of their properties? They are commercial property managers. That's what they're supposed to do. This doesn't change the fact that Hionides' original business plan was to buy up property, leave it vacant and deteriorating, and flip it without investing anything in the buildings or neighborhood.
I mean, congrats to Rich Trendel for being a good leasing agent. If I ever meet him, I'll give him my sincere kudos (seriously). Commercial property can be a rough business and he sounds like a nice guy.
But his father-in-law's original business plan has been absolutely toxic to Jacksonville's redevelopment. Yeah, now that the market has crashed, they actually HAVE to lease out their space to cover costs, instead of just being absentee investors. But don't give them a medal for it.
Good for Rich for providing some sanity to Petra, but let's not ignore the objective damage that's been done (and is still happening) because of Hionides' absentee investor strategy.
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 10:44:29 AMRich's contribution is not only welcome, but its a smart application of principle that will have a greater effect than simply filling his properties.
And we do laud people who take smart steps that build vibrancy and dynamic movement in the urban core.
Not to mention that hes doing it at a time when most landowners are seeing their buildings empty out as a result of the economy.
And to be honest, Trendel started doing this kind of thoughtful urban development the day he took over the reins.
archiphreak
November 11, 2009, 11:01:56 AMI agree with Joe. Hionedes is and always will be a slum lord. Is Rich doing something good with an almost unlimited supply of vacant/empty property in the Core? Sure. Could he fill/develop all of those properties in his lifetime? Probably not. He is one small cog in a very big wheel. I for one would LOVE to see a map overlaying the properties that they own showing what is leased/occupied and what is vacant and for how long. That would be very telling on just what kind of model they are running over there.
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 11:07:18 AMLol.
You do know that cornflakes are better without urine in them?
Downtown is beginning to rock, and that is partially because of Rich's work. Here's raising a glass to even more in that direction.
Having had to deal directly with the various petra players, I would have to say that most of the ill feeling emanates from the policies of Mary Farwell, the previous property manager.
She personally explained to me five years ago that the policy you are referring to was her strategy.
From the beginning, Trendel has been a true new Urbanist and has worked pretty tirelessly to promote an urban use of the properties.
archiphreak
November 11, 2009, 12:34:01 PMThat is great news to hear, Stephen. And if Petra makes good on that sentiment, then I only wish them well. But, we are going by a pretty dark history here. Here's hoping.
Steve
November 11, 2009, 12:56:39 PMI think you answered your own question. Previously, they weren't doing anything, so even if they lease out a percentage of their buildings, it's helping to spur other things (i.e. the new club on Ocean that a thread was just started on).
Everyone who I've talked to about the situation seems to think that a big part of the issue was Mary Farwell, the previous properly manager for Petra. If that was the case, then perhaps we are seeing a change in the tide. This is a good step in that direction, and it is having a positive impact on our downtown. For that, Petra deserves mention.
Johnt
November 11, 2009, 03:16:13 PMIt is so great to see positive things being written about our city and it's urban potential. Unfortunately some of the comments that have followed clearly have not been positive and have seemingly broken the rules of conduct for this forum (ie: derogatory remarks). I am profoundly disappointed to see the author of this well intended article, defame his own potential as a journalist, by contributing to the delinquency of this forum in what appears to be a personal attack against the previous management of the Petra Realestate Company. I have a keen interest in real estate and know from personal experience that a property manager is only allowed to carry out the directive of his property-owner/employer. Shame on you Mr. Stephen Dare for potentially undermining an otherwise well deserved story with harmful and derogatory personal remarks about an individual, who was likely only doing her job to the capacity allowed by her superiors. It is my opinion that you most certainly owe Ms. Farwell a sincere apology. Shame be on Metro Jacksonville publishers as well for allowing such defamatory comments to remain.
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 03:23:37 PMum. whatever johnt.
No disrespect intended, just stating the facts.
To everything there is a season, and this is just a different time.
The strategy which seemed to make sense before just ended up being the wrong one for this situation.
I spoke with Mary at length personally on several occasions and I have reported faithfully what I saw.
But thanks for defending Mary by attacking someone else. Im sure it speaks well for you.
Steve
November 11, 2009, 03:48:58 PMJohnt - first of all, welcome to the forum.
Second, before you blast others on the forum for their remarks regarding Ms. Farwell, I might suggest a email or PM to the folks that made the comments you object to. Perhaps they may be able to respond to your issue.
Johnt
November 11, 2009, 04:08:50 PMMr Dare,
My intent is not to defame you. You wrote a good article and with your name signed as author you published it, positioning yourself for any and all feedback. Ms. Farwell, however, didn't have the privilege to make that choice. In addition, you offered up comments to further cement your perspective. All seems well and good until you offer negative and derogatory remarks against a named private citizen whom like most of us, is only trying to earn an honest living and offer a positive contribution to mankind. My point is simply this: You wrote a good article, but you followed it up with irresponsible comments that have the potential to damage an individual's credibility, a deed which should not be tolerated by you or any other contributing writer or publisher of this magazine. That, my friend, discredits good journalism.
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 04:15:06 PMJohnT.
Your attack of me for accurately reporting my conversation with Mary would be more credible if it were not for the fact that you signed up for the clear purpose of making derogatory comments.
If you have an alternate opinon of Ms Farwell, you are free to print it, and to be honest it would be more effective than your personal attack.
Unless it is your intention to call Ms Farwell a liar for her comments to me, I would say that you probably owe me an apology.
There are a great many people who disapproved of the policy pursued by Petra under Ms. Farwell's management.
That policy changed when Ms Farwell departed.
But this article is not about ms Farwell, it is about the successes of Mr. Trendel.
Cordially.
Stephen.
Johnt
November 11, 2009, 04:45:50 PMSteve,
Thanks for the welcome. I'm usually only an observer, however this seemed an appropriate time to weigh in. But I must say, that Wow, you guys come across as really prickly and defensive around here. I do have a question regarding your comment that I should have sent a private message or email rather than posting my comments publicly. Did you or any others send your comments, regarding Ms. Farwell, to her in a PM or email before offering them as a banquet for the masses? If not, and I'm assuming that is the case, then why would you suggest that I should have? Perhaps my original comment might apply to one of your posts, and if so, I'm sure it stings mildly. Instead of getting worked up and personally offended, which was not the intent, I hope you will reflect on the implications of your remarks and possibly man-up and accept responsibility for those comments with the understanding that Ms. Farwell is due an apology. If for no other reason than just the printing of her full name, keeping in mind that she was an employee of the realestate company, not owner. My best to you.
Regards.
JT
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 04:55:01 PMnothing stings mildly, nor is anyone worked up.
You came on the site and hijacked the comments section with your defamatory remarks, which deserve an answer, thats all.
I stand by my comments, which simply state that her policy was the source of so much ill will. Not only do I stand behind my comments, John, but I will submit to you that no matter how many times you post it, this is not a derogatory thing to say about Mary. Simply the truth, and quite frankly one which could easily be elaborated on.
Now, you have made fairly offensive statements on this thread, so hopefully you attained your purpose here.
Again, this thread is not about Ms. Farwell, but rather about the tremendous successes which Mr. Trendell has been able to achieve since her departure.
Johnt
November 11, 2009, 05:03:30 PMWow! This is beginning to feel like I stepped into a love triangle here. Best wishes to you all! Peace out.
JT
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 05:18:03 PMpeace.
Property Manager
November 11, 2009, 05:24:30 PMOK, I have stayed quiet long enough. This is MARY FARWELL and this may be the only time I will ever involve myself in such journalism. First of all, I trained Rich during his first year at Petra and am so very proud of his successes. I set some ground work but he came through with the tenants at the right time. Second and most importantly, Mr. Stephen Dare has a personal grudge against me because I did not feel he was a qualified tenant a number of years ago and refused to lease to him (eviction tally, anyone?). Please be advised that I have never spoke with Mr. Dare about my business philosophies or leasing strategies. I have hundreds of past clients that feel that I have done a wonderful job on their behalf and my future energies will continue to go to those people and not to the likes of Mr. Dare. I worked with Mr. Hionides for 13 years building out inventory in Springfield (at the expense of millions of dollars) and have proven that we believe in Springfield. Certain properties may set vacant until several are purchased to form parcels large enough to bring the large tenants (like grocery stores) to the area. Thank you 'Johnt' for your support....your words finally spurred me to defend myself. Last word on the subject....Good Work Rich, I'm proud of you!
Karl_Pilkington
November 11, 2009, 05:28:37 PMoh boy, here we go.. this thread might get as good as the CARE one going on right now.
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 05:32:10 PMLol. Mary.
Nice to have you aboard. How surprising that you signed up immediately after 'johnt' signed off.
For the record we declined your silly offer on the building--not the other way around. I still have your papers incidentally. An offer which you attempted to sweeten multiple times the minute we informed our landlord we would be moving out and declined to renew our previous lease. I never thought that was particularly ethical, but then again, its Florida and it was the real estate business.
I think my favorite moment in our dealings with you was when you announced to me that Main Street would never notice the departure of its only anchor:----Boomtown. You assured me that you would have the spaces all leased from 'the big boys' in short order. Of course that was five years ago.
Your stunning success in keeping all of those properties boarded up and tenantless speak reams for themselves.
No doubt they are why Chris found himself on the front pages of Folio and painted in a universally horrible light as an absentee landlord. Policies like the one you yourself enunciated in your own post
Really? Two blocks on Main Street werent large enough?
Im sorry that it didnt work out for you, but stating that your policies had led to bad blood was hardly an act of investigative journalism on my part--and was certainly only meant as background explanation for why so many people are still so negative to the Petra organization despite the obvious positive turn around.
I do not have a grudge against you, incidentally. I just (obviously) think your style of property management was wrong headed.
Judging from the track record, I think its fair to say that Im not the only one.
Bewler
November 11, 2009, 05:32:41 PMIt’s always kind of sad when someone demands an apology for a remark made in a forum.
Back to the topic at hand, does anyone know what’s next on Mr. Trendel’s plate yet after Dos Gatos?
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 05:36:58 PMBack to the topic at hand, does anyone know what’s next on Mr. Trendel’s plate yet after Dos Gatos?
He is looking at finding a new club to go into the space near the Ivy Club.
This would hugely strengthen the Bay Street Corridor!
Steve
November 11, 2009, 05:44:51 PMAbsolutely - clustering these places together will definitely help Bay Street.
I'd like to know if he has anyone looking at the old Seminole Club across from City Hall - it's a tough spot to fill, but the right tenant could do wonders there.
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 05:56:39 PMNo doubt Steve, and if you think about it in context, with the addition of Jonathan Insetta's space next year on Bay next to Mark's, there will be quite a little circuit down there.
TSI, Marks, Dive Bar, Ivy Club, Poppy Loves Smoke, London Bridge, the Burrito Gallery, Dos Gatos, the new Insetta Place, DragonFly and a new place next to Ivy Club.
If we could find a way to extend the walkable circuit down to the Landing, wed have a great district!
thelakelander
November 11, 2009, 06:07:31 PMAre the street level floors of MODIS and the Dyal-Upchurch Buildings the missing link? If a few of their spaces could be occupied by a couple of places that stayed open at night and complemented the nightlife scene, you would have that connection.
stephendare
November 11, 2009, 06:24:34 PMyou know, im having trouble visualizing that. does it connect the landing?
thelakelander
November 11, 2009, 06:29:55 PMThe MODIS Tower is right across the street from the Landing. If you can get a few places on the retail level that open up to the street (maybe a couple of restaurants with outdoor dining), you would have something that pulls people from the Landing, up Laura Street and east down Bay. Get something in the Dyal-UpChurch Building at ground level and you then put people on the block between Main and Ocean.
thelakelander
November 11, 2009, 06:35:55 PMBasically, you reopen the retail floor of MODIS back to the street and take advantage of the outdoor courtyard space that currently exists.
Johnt
November 11, 2009, 07:07:05 PMNo thanks needed Ms Farwell. Kudos to you and Mr Trendel for all of your efforts in this historic area. Keep the vision going I always say.
zoo
November 11, 2009, 08:20:50 PMWord on the street is JEDC/DVI has this plan underway to go along with the Laura Street improvements.
thelakelander
November 11, 2009, 09:10:53 PMGreat! I remember including the idea on a presentation I did about Lighting Laura Street a few years ago, while being a part of the DT Action Plan Committee. Glad to see that this element has been included in the JEDC's plans. Without adding any more new businesses, DT would feel completely different if we can get more of the towers to position their interior retail spaces to the street.
Does the Hogans Creek master plan include making that stretch of Laura more of a pedestrian friendly connector to DT? We could really have a nice corridor connecting Springfield and the riverfront together with the Landing and Springfield's parks serving as major anchors.
thelakelander
November 11, 2009, 09:52:32 PMWork is supposed to start in January and take about a year to complete.
Click here to read more about the project:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-aug-lighting-laura-street-plan-moves-forward
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2009/10/12/daily26.html
jeh1980
November 12, 2009, 12:32:14 AMBeautiful presentation!
stephendare
November 12, 2009, 09:52:03 AMLake it seems like our presentation was a hundred years ago, so much has changed in the general economy and the state of things.
The eventual adoption of the plan just goes to show the power of working on a good idea.
For the new readers, almost four years ago when we were first talking about walkability and vibrant street activity we put together a demo project showing what would happen if the city simply made some common sense changes that affected the pedestrian experience along a main corridor.
We met at boomtown in Hemming Park, grabbed some old scoop lights and some extremely long extension cords, and armed with digital cameras proceeded along laura, lighting the buildings one at a time.
With the help of photoshop and the attention of the Uptown Action Committee (including Ron Barton and Adam Hollingsworth) we injected the idea into the downtown conversation.
The JEDC and especially Paul Crawford took the ball and ran with it, and the outcome is being implemented today. (although way more expensively than we ever envisioned)
But back to the Bay Street/Landing connector... I walked that corner today, Lake, and it would need just another extension of the bay street corridor to make that happen. Also the intersection is kind of problematic to pedestrian connection---even if the Landing were lit and open like a japanese bird house.
What could we do visually at that corner to make it more connective?
Lunican
November 12, 2009, 09:59:44 AMHere are a few photos from the Lighting Laura St. photo shoot back in April 2006.
thelakelander
November 12, 2009, 10:08:57 AMStephen, what intersection (Bay & Main)? None of our intersections are busier or wider than the ones you find in places like Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Chicago or other cities with vibrant downtowns and people still cross the streets.
Simple walkability solutions could include signals that allow pedestrians to see how much time they have to get across the street, better business signage at street level along the Dyal-Upchurch and MODIS buildings, along with adding a little street retail within the parking deck located between Main and Ocean. Long term, an infill project on the parking lot near the Chamber of Commerce would solidify the gap. Anyway, that stretch looks to be no more different than the block wide gap between Newnan and Market.
stephendare
November 12, 2009, 10:16:11 AMPerhaps some kind of visual treatment to refer the walker across the street that emphasizes the balustrade separating the plaza from the bridge ramp?
I should be very curious what it would look like if the east side of the Broward Tower (from here on out Im going to try and refer to it by something that wont change as often as the big signs on top of the Independent Life/Modis building, so what better than the Architect?) were well lit?
At night its just very visually offputting to walkers. Im going to have to walk it in the evening again with the thought in mind that Laura will be a river of light that is only a block and a half ahead.
thelakelander
November 12, 2009, 10:25:27 AMA well marked crosswalk would be more than enough (brick pavers are overkill). From my experience, people will cross if there is a reason to cross. They do it now on the gap between Newnan and Market. I believe the fact that there are a couple of bars with lighted signage helps in that cause. If there were spaces open in the Dyal Upchurch and MODIS buildings at night and open to the street (with signage), crossing Main would not be a serious obstacle.
tufsu1
November 12, 2009, 10:46:20 AMAlso keep in mind that the two-way project for Independent Drive involves creating a greenway connecting Bay Street and The Landing....using the space where the road alongside the Main St Bridge used to be.
If done well, this could serve as a perfect connection between the areas.
stephendare
November 12, 2009, 11:45:39 AMHere is the intersection. Its after a long empty block on the south side, and a long parking lot block on the north side. I think this is the biggest challenge in bringing walkers all the way down.
stephendare
November 12, 2009, 11:59:40 AMpardon the missing 'p'.
The last block is particularly forbidding at night. Does anyone have any rendering of the proposed median?
Steve
November 12, 2009, 12:38:57 PMIt's not a median, just a walkway.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-aug-downtown-parks-bay-and-ocean-pocket-park
thelakelander
November 12, 2009, 12:55:09 PMThe last block is particularly forbidding at night. Does anyone have any rendering of the proposed median?
Sure, there is nothing there. Add street retail (ex. outdoor dining, associated lighted signage,etc.) on the MODIS block and the perception of that whole area changes.
Take a look at this last image. Imagine those storefronts occupied and accessible from the street. Imagine them open at night with outdoor seated dining around the covered entrance to MODIS. Imagine the light from business signage adding to the atmosphere. Then imagine the people patronizing these businesses. If that happens, you form a visual connection and draw to a currently sterile scene without dropping on red cent of public money into sidewalk improvements, etc.
sheclown
November 12, 2009, 05:50:18 PMThere's no place like metrojacksonville...sort of like a bar fight in a cathedral. classy yet dangerous, and everyone better watch out or we'll end up in HELL.
What happened yesterday, who wins slum-lord of the year, these things trip us up.
What wonderful positive steps for tomorrow.
urbanlibertarian
November 12, 2009, 07:22:37 PMFor safety and convenience, using the new Ocean St pocket park to walk between Bay St and Independent Dr will allow you to walk underneath the Main/Ocean traffic instead of crossing both busy streets. I would think that just the addition of lighting and directional signage would make that path inviting.
JaxNeedsHelp
November 19, 2009, 04:15:02 PMGo Rich Trendel and Petra! That is awesome! Sloooowly edging out the good ol' boys in charge and bringing some young talent in. Jacksonville is improving by the day!