Firehouse Subs seeks space for new HQ

[thelakelander]

Firehouse Subs wants a new headquarters. Not interested in a downtown highrise:

by Karen Brune Mathis

Jacksonville-based Firehouse Restaurant Group Inc., parent of the nationwide Firehouse Subs fast-casual chain of more than 900 restaurants, is looking for a new headquarters.
The space should be large enough to accommodate company operations as it plans to add at least 1,000 more restaurants in the U.S. and internationally as part of a 10-year plan.

Firehouse Restaurant Group doesn't intend to leave Northeast Florida.

Sorensen said a location in Duval or surrounding counties would work, although he said a Class A Downtown skyscraper isn't necessary. He said Class B-plus space or better would be the target.

"We want a great space to grow, in a safe location for our team. A tall building with our name on it doesn't fit our culture, nor is it frugal, which is a core reason for our success," he said.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=546058

[Wacca Pilatka]

What buildings in the core might fit the definition of what they are looking for?

[thelakelander]

They want 210 parking spaces. They don't seem like they're interested in being in the core.

[Wacca Pilatka]

I agree, but...if JEA abandons its building, would that fit the bill of a frugally priced, class B+ building with dedicated parking?

Stephen, I remember in your old "If Jacksonville had vision" piece, you mentioned encouraging the homegrown fast food chains to set up HQs in the core.  That surely would be nice.

[copperfiend]

I am sure they will end up on the Southside somewhere

[Dapperdan]

I wish they could somehow use the old fire station across from 220 Riverside . They could use that building for a  flagship restaurant and build some offices behind it or something.

[Wacca Pilatka]

I wish they could somehow use the old fire station across from 220 Riverside . They could use that building for a  flagship restaurant and build some offices behind it or something.

Yep, every time I go by that fire station, I think how nice it would be if a homegrown company with an obvious fire station connection would transform the building into a showcase.

[thelakelander]

They need 30,000 square feet and +200 parking spaces. Maybe they should lease FCSL's Baymeadows space, freeing the school to relocate downtown.

[coredumped]

Anything in freedom crossing trail would be good, that's pretty vacant if I recall. Or the old KMart at univ. and beach.

[InnerCityPressure]

Or the old KMart at univ. and beach.

That area could use a shot in the arm.  Easy trip in to DT for lunch/happy hour.  I like that location for them better than Baymeadows...

[CCMjax]

Or the old KMart at univ. and beach.

That area could use a shot in the arm.  Easy trip in to DT for lunch/happy hour.  I like that location for them better than Baymeadows...

Doesn't sound like they will do anything unique.  Suburban office building with lots of surface parking.  Lake, both your comments were literally my first two thoughts after reading the article.  They are frugal and need 210 parking spots, plus they don't want a tall office building, he is basically saying "I don't want to locate downtown."  FCSL wants out of their lease off Baymeadows, sounds like the perfect spot for them to relocate to but boring choice as far as I'm concerned. 

It would be cool if they did something unique for Jacksonville and located in the core, but I doubt they will.  His comments seemed to suggest "we are not a unique type of culture so we are just looking for a lot of space, nothing more."  I like the old firehouse on Riverside idea but that would require lots of new construction.

[MusicMan]

From Lake: "They need 30,000 square feet and +200 parking spaces. Maybe they should lease FCSL's Baymeadows space, freeing the school to relocate downtown."

Yes, that sounds like a great idea. Maybe too easy.

[thelakelander]

Or the old KMart at univ. and beach.

That area could use a shot in the arm.  Easy trip in to DT for lunch/happy hour.  I like that location for them better than Baymeadows...

Btw, the old Kmart building is 113k square feet. They only need 30k.

[JaxNative68]

I wish they could somehow use the old fire station across from 220 Riverside . They could use that building for a  flagship restaurant and build some offices behind it or something.

Yep, every time I go by that fire station, I think how nice it would be if a homegrown company with an obvious fire station connection would transform the building into a showcase.

FS5 building is only about 5,000sf. It would take roughly 3.25 million to rehab the exterior, bring the building up to current code and to construct the interior up-fit. Not to mention the cost of purchasing the building and property from the current owner Bill Foley.  Added to this cost you would have construct the parking lot, which will probably only yield 55 spaces on the remaining parcel of land. This just doesn't sound like a very practical business decision for Firehouse Subs.

[Dapperdan]

I get all that. Is space all leased up in the old St Joe Building next door to it? Wouldn't be right on site, but they would be right next to it. The Firehouse could be the flagship restaurant downstairs and the lab and artist areas upstairs. Ist justa  great area to be in right now. I know it won't work out.