Five more residential projects headed to downtown

[thelakelander]

Here are five residential projects proposed for downtown that have either recently received or applied for permits to begin construction on nearly 760 apartment units at the cost of $140 million in 2021.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/five-more-residential-projects-headed-to-downtown/

[heights unknown]

My question is.......with more and more people moving downtown in these housing units, WHERE is entertainment, retail, shopping, dining, etc.? WHERE is it and is the city planning to lure more such businesses downtown in anticipation of more and more people living and working downtown?

[heights unknown]

The old Independent Life Building is what intrigues me the most. I vividly remember that building when it was the insurance company and that stem at the top (lighted spire), lit up at night; it was awe striking as a young boy. I read somewhere that they will be repairing and restoring it and I certainly hope so. As for the other projects, Baptist Convention Building is the only other one that really strikes my fancy. The new construction buildings make me yawn...no pun intended, "but they all look alike."

[thelakelander]

My question is.......with more and more people moving downtown in these housing units, WHERE is entertainment, retail, shopping, dining, etc.? WHERE is it and is the city planning to lure more such businesses downtown in anticipation of more and more people living and working downtown?

Other than Ashley, all four of these projects are mixed use. Some level of entertainment, retail, shopping, dining space will be included as a part of them. Whether we can fill all that space will be something we'll have to see.

[MusicMan]

I have been watching Churchwell Lofts lately, they are selling pretty quickly. They are to my knowledge the only historic loft conversion property downtown with units for sale.  I wish there was a similar project in the works, using as much of the original building as possible.
Original post and beam structure, hardwood flooring, and exposed brick walls...... plus those huge windows. Not terribly efficient but beautiful.