City issues permits to convert former FBI building into apartments

[thelakelander]

With permits issued Dec. 10, developers Marc Peter Kozman and Magdi Samuel can start work on converting the former FBI Building into the Arlington Apartments at a cost of $11 million.

As Theotokos Holdings LLC, the developers own the property at 7820 Arlington Expressway and will turn the six-story building in 118 apartments with an amenity center and gym.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/city-issues-permits-to-convert-former-fbi-building-into-apartments

[acme54321]

This appears to be actually happening or the building is getting demolished.  It has been completely stripped to the steel.

[marcuscnelson]

Hope it is happening. Would be really cool to do the other two similar buildings and perhaps introduce some infill between them.

[jaxoNOLE]

This would be great! I thought this project was dead after 2 years of inactivity. It seems like they'll have to request an extension at this point, as their incentives agreement specifies:

The city will require Theotokos Holdings to invest at least $11 million for demolition and construction and complete the work by Dec. 31, 2023, to get the full tax refund, according to the fact sheet.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2021/apr/13/council-oks-incentives-to-transform-old-fbi-building-into-apartments/

[jaxoNOLE]

Really excited to see this continues to make progress and could turn into something bigger than the original project. Will be interesting to see how big the ask is on the various incentive pieces. At a minimum, getting all 3 existing buildings back in use will be huge for the Expressway corridor aesthetics. New construction would be icing on the cake.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/jun/21/arlington-redevelopment-turning-old-office-buildings-into-apartments/

Arlington Florida LP’s proposed timeline:

• Phase 1: Early 2025 delivery. The first phase under construction, which is the old FBI building, comprises the first 95 units and the amenity center. It would comprise two studio units, 47 one-bedroom units and 46 two-bedroom units. They would range from 556 to 1,038 square feet in size.

• Phase 2: Pending city support, the second phase would be the start of the 190 units in the other two OPS buildings for construction in 2025. Those could start in late Q4 2024 to early Q1 2025. They are estimated at $25 million each.

• Future phases: The next phases would follow after the first 285 units are leased, further city approvals and economic factors.
...
The site plan shows:

• Phase A: The six-floor FBI and Offshore Power Systems buildings at 95 units each and the 14,400-square-foot amenity center – different from a larger size in the narrative – in the middle of the property.

• Phase B: A new six-floor, 108-unit building near the site of the existing Jim’s Place.

• Phase C: Two new six-story, 96-unit buildings on the eastern and western sides of the property.

• Phase D: A six-story, 194-unit building on the southern side of the property.

...

While specifics depend on negotiations with the city, Arlington Florida LP proposes a Recapture Enhanced Value Grant for a 75% rebate of the increase in ad valorem taxes over 20 years; a low-interest loan; a completion grant; and leveraging the statewide Live Local Act, which provides recurring funding for housing low- to -income households.

It seems like "Phase 1" and "Phase 2" are both really part of "Phase A" on the site plan.

[Ken_FSU]

Love to see the movement!

On a similar note, anyone have any idea what's going on with the old Morocco Shrine site?

Was demolished in 2023, with redevelopment expected to start last summer.

As of a couple of weeks ago, doesn't seem like anything's happened there.

[marcuscnelson]

Heck of a site plan:

The draft plan for the 16.2-acre site along the south side of the Arlington Expressway that was once the home of Jim’s Place, the FBI headquarters and Offshore Power Systems. The project could create 779 affordable, workforce and market-rate apartments on the property at 7820-8000 Arlington Expressway, west of Southside Connector.



Apartments, parking: The draft plan shows the existing buildings in white. No. 1 is the old FBI building and No. 2 and 3 are the former Offshore Power Systems buildings. There are 853 parking spaces.

A: Residential, 6 levels, 95 units

B: Residential, 6 levels, 18 units/level, 108 units

C: Residential, 6 levels, 16 units/level, 96 units

D: Residential, 6 levels, 33 units/typical level, 29 units/upper level, 194 units

E: Leasing & Clubroom, 14,400 gross square feet

I wonder if something like this might be in store for the old Thunderbird Hotel site to the west.

[Jax_Developer]

Love to see the movement!

On a similar note, anyone have any idea what's going on with the old Morocco Shrine site?

Was demolished in 2023, with redevelopment expected to start last summer.

As of a couple of weeks ago, doesn't seem like anything's happened there.

The civil permit was approved in April. The site will have a master stormwater facility, with several future out parcels. They will likely develop the apartments over the next 4-5 years, and sell off or ground lease the remaining pads.

The Thunderbird will 100% be another 500+ unit apartment site & will probably also seek incentives beyond the Arlington CRA.

[thelakelander]

Who is developing the Thunderbird site?

[Ken_FSU]

Love to see the movement!

On a similar note, anyone have any idea what's going on with the old Morocco Shrine site?

Was demolished in 2023, with redevelopment expected to start last summer.

As of a couple of weeks ago, doesn't seem like anything's happened there.

The civil permit was approved in April. The site will have a master stormwater facility, with several future out parcels. They will likely develop the apartments over the next 4-5 years, and sell off or ground lease the remaining pads.

Thanks dude! Good info!

[Jax_Developer]

Who is developing the Thunderbird site?

I'm pretty sure the owners now are not going to be the vertical developers but are mainly focused on entitlements. With that large of a site, I'm sure they have the ability to stay in the deal quite easily. I don't know much concrete info beyond what I have found online.

Of course Ken!

[jaxoNOLE]

Another step forward on the rest of the site development with rezoning approvals...no mention here of incentive asks at this time.

Council approved two sets of companion ordinances to redevelop the 16.42-acre site in the 7800 and 7900 blocks of the expressway, which includes the former FBI Building, two vacant Offshore Power Systems office buildings and the closed Jim’s Place restaurant.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/mar/25/plans-to-redevelop-arlington-office-complex-gain-final-council-approval/