Akel’s Deli leasing Bank of America lobby cafe

[thelakelander]

Two Downtown towers, one on the Northbank and one on the Southbank, are slated for $4 million in renovations –– and food.
On the Northbank, Akel's Delicatessen leased the long-closed café in the Bank of America Tower at Laura and Forsyth streets. Look for that to open this summer.

Also in the Bank of America Tower, the Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP firm is expanding and renovating, becoming the third major law firm there to remodel in the past year.

The Bank of America Tower at 50 N. Laura St. is the city's tallest building at 42 stories. The Akel's renovation is a $230,000 project, while the Smith, Gambrell & Russell remodeling is almost $770,000, according to building-permit applications.

On the first floor, Marwan Akel, who owns several Akel's Deli locations Downtown and in Southside, will take the lobby space where an eatery closed in 2009.

Akel said Tuesday he anticipates 75 to 100 seats, inside the café and in the lobby, and to serve 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545382

[fsujax]

I always liked Akel's. I think this will be a good addition.

[edjax]

I did not see mention of any outdoor seating. Just nine interior lobby area. Seems like would be great to have some exterior seating on Laura as I recall isn't tneir a terrace like area there?