Urban Construction Update - October 2015

9. Sbraga & Company and Hobnob Restaurant



Work continues on two new restaurants in Unity Plaza. Philadelphia-based award-winning celebrity chef Kevin Sbraga, plans to open the 6,650-square-foot Sbraga & Company on November 14, 2015.  The space will include a restaurant, private dining, lounge, bar and raw bar as well as terrace dining. The owners of the Candy Apple Cafe & Cocktails are expected to open Hobnob in late November 2015.




Hobnob Restaurant


Sbraga & Company


Sbraga & Company


10. 112 East Adams Street

Tenant improvements are being made at 112 East Adams Street. The space was once occupied by the Poppy Loves Smoke cigar bar.







11. Brooklyn Station



Construction continues on retail tenant buildouts at Brooklyn Station. With Corner Bakery Cafe, Burger Fi and Zoes Kitchen now open, future tenants include Burrito Gallery and The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops.







For more information: http://www.regencycenters.com/retail-space/fl/jacksonville/shoppes-on-riverside#.UrTqRPRDvxQ




12. Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center

Construction continues on the JTA's Jacksonville Regional Transit Center (JRTC) at the Skyway's Convention Center station. Platforms for the JTA Flyer bus rapid transit system and local buses are being constructed around the Skyway.









13. Laura Apartments

Ron Chamblin, owner of the city's largest independent bookstore, is in the process of restoring a three story building at 225 North Laura Street.  When complete, the 100-year-old building will include six apartments above street level retail.



Full article: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-may-downtown-residential-project-underway#.U__RV_ldUYk




14. Cowford Chophouse

The restoration of the historic Bostwick Building continues to move forward. Forking Amazing Restaurants intends to convert the structure into an upscale steakhouse restaurant called the Cowford Chophouse. When complete in summer 2016, the two floor dining establishment will feature a rooftop lounge with spectacular views of the city.








15. Riverside YMCA

Construction continues on the new YMCA on Riverside Avenue. The new facility will be 72,000 square feet, about 8,000 square feet bigger than the current one, which was built in the 1950s. Work is expected to take 15 months.



For more information: http://jacksonville.com/business/2015-05-05/story/construction-begin-soon-new-ymca-riverside-avenue





16. Johnstone Supply

Johnstone Supply is investing $650,000 to renovate 500 Park Street into a new 25,494-square foot showroom for the airconditioning business.








17. Peterbrooke Chocolatier

Peterbrooke Chocolatier expects to open its new downtown retail store in the Life of the South Building in November.









18. Akel’s Delicatessen

Akel’s Delicatessen will be opening a new restaurant this fall in the Bank of America Tower's long-closed café space at Laura and Forsyth streets. When the $230,000, 2,111-square-foot restaurant is complete, it will have 75 to 100 seats and serve 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.



For more information: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545382





19. JTA Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station

The JTA continues its efforts to modernize and expand its bus operations facility at 100 North Myrtle Avenue. Improvements include Jacksonville's first government-fleet-use CNG station. The $1.8 million station is being built through a public-private partnership with Clean Energy.








20. Elena Flats

Jack Meeks and his wife, JoAnn Tredennick, recently purchased the Elena Flats building at 122 E. Duval St. They plan to convert the former rooming house into four market-rate apartment units. Barring unforeseen complications, the apartments should be ready for rent in early 2017.








21. Element Bistro+Bar+Lounge/Myths



Nightlife Innovations, LLC. has entered into a five year lease agreement with Liberty Bay, Inc. to take over the old Club TSI location at 333 East Bay Street. Plans are underway on the opening a new mixed-use nightlife venue. Specializing in craft cocktails, Element Bistro+Bar+Lounge, will be located in the front of the building. The rear will be converted into a nightclub and live music venue called Myths.






22. Bark Downtown

Bark Boutique's Jamee Yocum is working on opening a downtown location near the intersection of Adams and Laura Street by the end of the year. The 800-square-foot space next to The Carling will sell dog supplies, accessories and food and will include delivery to high-rises and office buildings.



For more information: http://www.thebarkboutique.com/daycare_boarding/daycare.php