Gateway Jax Announces Ambassador Hotel Plans

[heights unknown]

I asked about this at the beginning of the agenda item discussion. I wanted to hear what was being vetted for the entire block, as well as how this all would fit into the greater Pearl Street District. The answer provided was a good one IMO and the proposed garage wasn't exactly new. It was a slight improvement over what Augustine had already received final DDRB approval for in 2021. Same scale and footprint. The biggest difference is the Central National Bank  potentially being an expansion of the Ambassador Hotel (i.e. meeting rooms, conference space, etc.) and a residential highrise on the adjacent lot, as opposed to a mid-rise stick frame building.

And how HIGH will that highrise be, or is it too early in the ballgame for an answer to that question?

[thelakelander]

Too early in the process. They currently have two other high-rise projects proposed. I believe they are in the 16-22 story range. I'd suspect (just my wild guess) that the vision would be something in that range or similar to whats been built at Water Street in Tampa.

[Ken_FSU]

Too early in the process. They currently have two other high-rise projects proposed. I believe they are in the 16-22 story range. I'd suspect (just my wild guess) that the vision would be something in that range or similar to whats been built at Water Street in Tampa.

Curious what you think, Ennis.

Given downtown's current state, what would be more impactful:

Dense high-rise or mid-rise occupying additional blocks.

Knowing that there's a limit to what the market will bear.

[thelakelander]

Both are fine. The more the merrier. Need as much as we can realistically get. The product will depend on the financial ability of the development entity just as much as what the market will support. Making sure the design prioritizes the pedestrian over the car is also critical. Brooklyn could feel and look a lot better if we had some design standards we fully enforced. What we really don't need is people putting up gas stations, JTA maintenance sheds, and surface parking lots on blocks of downtown land. That's the worst and that's what we've grown accustomed to accepting.

[heights unknown]

Too early in the process. They currently have two other high-rise projects proposed. I believe they are in the 16-22 story range. I'd suspect (just my wild guess) that the vision would be something in that range or similar to whats been built at Water Street in Tampa.

Curious what you think, Ennis.

Given downtown's current state, what would be more impactful:

Dense high-rise or mid-rise occupying additional blocks.

Knowing that there's a limit to what the market will bear.

A few years back, cannot exactly remember when or the timeframe, someone posted a thread relative to what downtown Jacksonville development or our skyline would look like about now; and if I remember correctly, they said that don't bet on supertalls and very few to no high rises, but mostly midrise and low rise buildings and development. And it appears they were right on mark.

[fsu813]

What we really don't need is people putting up gas stations, JTA maintenance sheds, and surface parking lots on blocks of downtown land. That's the worst and that's what we've grown accustomed to accepting.

The "anything is better than what's there now" contingent is a strong one.

[jcjohnpaint]

It looks like there has been activity at the old Jea tower next to ambassador. Any word on this?

[heights unknown]

It looks like there has been activity at the old Jea tower next to ambassador. Any word on this?

It's been very quiet relative to news or activity about the Tower. I did a search on "Co-Pilot" and this is what was replied: "Live Oak Contracting and Lone Pine Development won the bid to purchase and redevelop the old JEA Tower at 21 West Church Street in downtown Jacksonville on August 21, 2025. That's when JEA's Awards Committee officially selected their proposal to buy the former headquarters for $1 million and transform it into a mixed-use development called The Jewel at 21 West." .......I had no idea that the bid was done for that property two months ago in August; was that possibly done quietly? I don't remember seeing or reading any news about it. So...maybe they are beginning to redevelop the property, but usually, there's some kind publicity or news before actual redevelopment (or construction) begins. I would find it hard to believe they would start construction without previous or initial news/publicity.

[Ken_FSU]

It looks like there has been activity at the old Jea tower next to ambassador. Any word on this?

It's been very quiet relative to news or activity about the Tower. I did a search on "Co-Pilot" and this is what was replied: "Live Oak Contracting and Lone Pine Development won the bid to purchase and redevelop the old JEA Tower at 21 West Church Street in downtown Jacksonville on August 21, 2025. That's when JEA's Awards Committee officially selected their proposal to buy the former headquarters for $1 million and transform it into a mixed-use development called The Jewel at 21 West." .......I had no idea that the bid was done for that property two months ago in August; was that possibly done quietly? I don't remember seeing or reading any news about it. So...maybe they are beginning to redevelop the property, but usually, there's some kind publicity or news before actual redevelopment (or construction) begins. I would find it hard to believe they would start construction without previous or initial news/publicity.

Different buildings, Heights!

Sounds like the original post was in regards to the Independent Life tower/old JEA HQ.

This guy here:


You are correct though, Live Oak was awarded the right to negotiate a contract to redevelop the most recent JEA Headquarters.

Details here:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/sep/12/jea-selects-1-million-bid-for-former-hq-to-transform-it-into-the-jewel-at-21-west/

[thelakelander]

It looks like there has been activity at the old Jea tower next to ambassador. Any word on this?

There has been some activity there. I've seen a small crew in there a couple of times. I have no idea of what they are doing though.

[jcjohnpaint]

Walked by the other day and it looks like some of the exterior and windows were removed. I work at Moca today and will go by again.

[heights unknown]

It looks like there has been activity at the old Jea tower next to ambassador. Any word on this?

It's been very quiet relative to news or activity about the Tower. I did a search on "Co-Pilot" and this is what was replied: "Live Oak Contracting and Lone Pine Development won the bid to purchase and redevelop the old JEA Tower at 21 West Church Street in downtown Jacksonville on August 21, 2025. That's when JEA's Awards Committee officially selected their proposal to buy the former headquarters for $1 million and transform it into a mixed-use development called The Jewel at 21 West." .......I had no idea that the bid was done for that property two months ago in August; was that possibly done quietly? I don't remember seeing or reading any news about it. So...maybe they are beginning to redevelop the property, but usually, there's some kind publicity or news before actual redevelopment (or construction) begins. I would find it hard to believe they would start construction without previous or initial news/publicity.

Different buildings, Heights!

Sounds like the original post was in regards to the Independent Life tower/old JEA HQ.

This guy here:


You are correct though, Live Oak was awarded the right to negotiate a contract to redevelop the most recent JEA Headquarters.

Details here:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/sep/12/jea-selects-1-million-bid-for-former-hq-to-transform-it-into-the-jewel-at-21-west/

Hi Ken; thanks for responding. I must have got the addresses mixed up. That photo, which is of the old Independent Life Building built in the 1950's (and later the JEA Building), is the building I was referring to; is it on Church or Duval? Now the tower they recently moved out of, I think, (old Ivey Headquarter and later JEA), is the one on 21 West Church Street (am I correct?). Thanks.

[heights unknown]

Something must be getting ready to happen at that tower (recent JEA building); if it is, I wish they'd announce it publicly. Huh....Jewel at 21 West; I like that name.

[Jones518]

I'm glad to see Gateway Jax moving forward with permits for N4 and their parking garage behind the Ambassador hotel.
Plans show some retail soace on the ground floor of the garage which is a plus.:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/nov/03/gateway-jax-gains-permits-for-downtown-apartments-parking-totaling-735-million/


Unfortunately Citizens is moving forward with their move out of downtown at the same time:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/nov/03/estimated-8-million-sought-for-citizens-property-build-out-in-baymeadows/

Hopefully another prominent business will seize the opportunity of citizens leaving downtown.  With all the investment in downtown, the area should start to become more appealing for a corporate headquarter relocation. Can DCPS relocate by leasing space in the building citizens is moving out of ?

[acme54321]

Not sure what the permit for N4 is about, but it's been under construction for a number of months and they've had a tower crane out there for at least a few weeks now.  All of these vacant blocks filling up is drastically changing the look of that area.  When they get N8 and N9 going Pearl street will be unrecognizable.