RiversEdge breaks ground on Southbank

[Papa33]

This might become the NFL broadcast money shot (assuming they stop using the old footage of the Landing).

[urban_]

This is cool. Any idea of when it'll be built / when this part of the riverwalk is likely to open now?

[Todd_Parker]

If only there were to be another signature icon on the northbank to bookend the river...

[Ken_FSU]

With the speed of the infrastructure work at River's Edge in the last year, I think we're going to see this one rise really fast in the coming months. I know it's thousands and thousands of pieces riveted together, so I guess a lot of it will depend on how much of that is done on-site versus already fabricated. Hopefully it comes with some epic uplighting as well, as it would look LOVELY at night. To Zac's point, this thing is huge, and will be such an awesome addition to the SB skyline. It's been slow going since 2016, but I cannot imagine that developers don't take significant interest in these pads sooner than later. I think we hear hotel first.

To Todd's point, I really hope there's still an avenue to get a significant public art piece funded for the Riverfront Plaza pedestal, AND I still contend that a 2x or 3x scale Rexy on the riverfront, next to MOSH, with Jax signage would be the single best authentic marketing opportunity and social media photo op imaginable for visitors. It's not manufactured or try-hard. Just pure, authentic, fun Jacksonville.

Gets back to Lori Boyer's node concept from years back for the Riverwalk. Having that series of large, well-lit beacons to keep people moving and engaged from spot to spot, and then clustering amenities near them. The Pearl will be fantastic, as will those parks down there. Friendship Fountain has never looked better, the playground is fantastic, and hopefully the restaurant happens. The massive projection wall at Musical Heritage Park will be awesome at night. Just need to continue that momentum with large public art or other "beacons" to distinguish Riverfront Plaza (the Jax statue, for example) from Shipyards West (loved the large JAX climbing wall that was included in one of the designs) to MOSH (Rex) to Met Park.

[acme54321]

I read that article earlier and though the same thing.  That's pretty massive.

While this art install will be really cool, I'd like to see an announcement of some vertical construction other than Toll Brothers...

[Ken_FSU]

For those who missed it, here's a piece about some of the smaller scale interactive art that's also going up at Riversedge.

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2025/07/25/interactive-art-at-riversedge.html

"Heart of the Park" is an interactive sculpture that pulses with light in synchronicity with the heartbeats of visitors who sit on it and place their hand upon its sensor. Franco said her installation is about love, connection and the heart. "You put your hands [on it] and it grabs your heartbeat and then this captured beat beats light with your heartbeat," she said. "And then you can share this moment with other people. It's all about connection. It's about being together, being present in the moment."

Her other work, "Interlace" is six sculptural illuminated swings people can sit on and engage with. The shape of the swings was inspired by human movement and the body's muscular system. They can accommodate a maximum of six people.

Franco said she's included light in all seven of her artworks at the park, "so they look really beautiful during sunset."

[jaxlongtimer]

Well, I guess that means the Pearl Street buildings by Gateway won't be erecting a giant pearl... idea already taken  .

[blizz01]

That's bigger than the Chicago Bean.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

Out of curiosity, did they mention a vertical construction date or timeline for non Toll Bros parcels constructions? Seems like they're trying to get the public parks done first. According to idigjax the expected completion date for the parks has been updated from Spring 25 to Late 25 - realistically Spring26 imo.

[Ken_FSU]

Out of curiosity, did they mention a vertical construction date or timeline for non Toll Bros parcels constructions? Seems like they're trying to get the public parks done first. According to idigjax the expected completion date for the parks has been updated from Spring 25 to Late 25 - realistically Spring26 imo.

So, Preston Hollow isn't actually developing RiversEdge themselves. Instead, they're working with the city on the public infrastructure (roads, parks, and other horizontal elements), while marketing the individual parcels out for private development by other developers. Nothing has been publicly announced beyond Toll Brothers developing the Townhomes, so I'd expect it's going to a minute, and possibly a few years, before we see vertical buildings rising out of the ground, unfortunately. As noted previously, I'd expect the marina to come next, followed by hotel.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

QQ - With RiversEdge having their ribbon cutting tomorrow, does anyone know if The Pearl has been installed yet? I haven't been there in a few months after the security guy driving around kicked me out  . Also, if not yet installed, wonder what the timeline is? The permit has been approved since August if I'm not mistaken.

[acme54321]

No pearl.

[heights unknown]

No pearl.

NO PEARL forever, or, it hasn't been built yet?

[Steve]

QQ - With RiversEdge having their ribbon cutting tomorrow, does anyone know if The Pearl has been installed yet? I haven't been there in a few months after the security guy driving around kicked me out  . Also, if not yet installed, wonder what the timeline is? The permit has been approved since August if I'm not mistaken.

Dude, same. I actually was going to take a peek at the townhomes. I think it's more than I want to spend, but I'm actively looking and those people are seriously the most unfriendly people there. Great advertisement for your large development.

[Ken_FSU]

From my understanding, the ribbon cutting is more about the rebuilt/new riverwalk, and the parks are more of a soft-opening.

I think the Pearl's construction is supposed to be done by March when RiversEdge's public spaces fully open.