Five-year Predictions (2025 edition)

[Ken_FSU]

I guess the block n8 will start construction anywhere from September to December since it was mentioned it would start in the fall and that construction of the parking garage for the ambassador will be in September and block n5 for the lighthouse garage will happen after construction of the ambassador garage. What happened to the grocer and 16 story bryan said on may 29 that possibly in a week there would be a announcement of it and now almost 2 months nothing did something happen with the grocer.   And what was that development picture around the campus building?

Fort what it's worth, I had heard that the announcement was coming last week. Didn't happen, but it's gotta be any time now. And if it isn't, I'd assume they're just waiting for the right time to announce it. The relationship is there. The DIA incentive package in place for the grocer has already been drafted. Can't imagine such an important cornerstone of the entire district would fall through randomly after all this work. Fingers crossed we hear something soon.

[Skybox111]

Hope so too.

[thelakelander]

It's coming!

[jaxlongtimer]

From rumors, Publix sounds to be the likely grocer.  With Publix in Riverside and San Marco, now, this would seem an obvious next step.  Downtown, Springfield, Brooklyn, Eastside, Rail Yard... lots of under-served and/or nearby residents to tap provided free parking is around (JTA isn't going to get you there ).

And, with Fresh Market and Whole Foods in nearby Brooklyn and SE Grocers downtown already, really not any other likely candidates.  I guess maybe an Aldi but with their limited lines, that doesn't seem very satisfying if no other full line grocers are nearby (not counting the SE Grocer's store that may also have limited lines). 

[JaxGator22]

The Harvey's downtown is being converted to an Aldi as we speak.  Good news coming soon. 

[jaxlongtimer]

The Harvey's downtown is being converted to an Aldi as we speak.  Good news coming soon.

Just another sign pointing to Publix  .

[Ken_FSU]

From rumors, Publix sounds to be the likely grocer.  With Publix in Riverside and San Marco, now, this would seem an obvious next step.  Downtown, Springfield, Brooklyn, Eastside, Rail Yard... lots of under-served and/or nearby residents to tap provided free parking is around (JTA isn't going to get you there ).

And, with Fresh Market and Whole Foods in nearby Brooklyn and SE Grocers downtown already, really not any other likely candidates.  I guess maybe an Aldi but with their limited lines, that doesn't seem very satisfying if no other full line grocers are nearby (not counting the SE Grocer's store that may also have limited lines).

Publix to Pearl District has been one of the worst kept secrets of the last few years. Not sure they've ever had anyone else in mind. The DIA incentive package for the Pearl District stipulates a grocer with a pharmacy and full deli, which would eliminate pretty much every Southeast grocery chain except Publix. Maybe the biggest win for the CBD of the last 50 years if it crosses the finished line.

[heights unknown]

From rumors, Publix sounds to be the likely grocer.  With Publix in Riverside and San Marco, now, this would seem an obvious next step.  Downtown, Springfield, Brooklyn, Eastside, Rail Yard... lots of under-served and/or nearby residents to tap provided free parking is around (JTA isn't going to get you there ).

And, with Fresh Market and Whole Foods in nearby Brooklyn and SE Grocers downtown already, really not any other likely candidates.  I guess maybe an Aldi but with their limited lines, that doesn't seem very satisfying if no other full line grocers are nearby (not counting the SE Grocer's store that may also have limited lines).

Publix to Pearl District has been one of the worst kept secrets of the last few years. Not sure they've ever had anyone else in mind. The DIA incentive package for the Pearl District stipulates a grocer with a pharmacy and full deli, which would eliminate pretty much every Southeast grocery chain except Publix. Maybe the biggest win for the CBD of the last 50 years if it crosses the finished line.

Awesome; NOW. Answer this (someone) please. What's the "straight skinny" about this 16 story building? Is this building for the UF Campus or a part of or related to something in the Pearl District? Thanks!

[thelakelander]

^Must be something related to Pearl Street. There are no 16-story buildings planned for the UF campus at the moment.

[Ken_FSU]

Awesome; NOW. Answer this (someone) please. What's the "straight skinny" about this 16 story building? Is this building for the UF Campus or a part of or related to something in the Pearl District? Thanks!

The grocery store/residential project was initially slated to be elsewhere in the Pearl District, if memory serves correctly.

The project will now replace the NoCo Center that house Beyond Van Gogh (formerly First Baptist's main auditorium.



The plan includes a 16-story residential tower with 250 units;  a 31,500 square foot full-service grocery store with pharmacy, bakery, and deli; 6,500 feet of additional ground floor retail; and 400 spaces of structured parking.

Probably the closest analogy would be the Lake Eola Publix in Orlando, which is around 30,000 square feet with 17-stories of residential above it and Truist bank on the back. Key difference will be that the grocery store and retail tower will be connected, but separate (versus residential above the grocery store).



The Publix in Water Street that Moll's group developed is a smaller 26,000 square foot Greenwise Publix, with dual residential towers. The first tower has 26-stories, and the second tower that was later added has 21-stories. Key similarity here is a lot of the structured parking will be placed above the Publix, per Gateway's plan.

[jaxlongtimer]

Publix's real estate folks should get an A+ for doing more for their growth than even the operators of the stores.  Publix is everywhere you want to be, nabbing all the prime spots wherever they go.  Few multi-unit retailers of any kind hit as many location homeruns as Publix does in my observation.  Their willingness to creatively adapt store size, architecture, infrastructure, layouts, etc. is also a strength.

Hope putting the parking garage over the building fares better than what happened at JIA a few months ago or at St. Vincent's a few years ago.

[Ken_FSU]

Publix's real estate folks should get an A+ for doing more for their growth than even the operators of the stores.  Publix is everywhere you want to be, nabbing all the prime spots wherever they go.  Few multi-unit retailers of any kind hit as many location homeruns as Publix does in my observation.  There willingness to creatively adapt store size, architecture, infrastructure, layouts, etc. is also a strength.

Agreed! The "mystery grocer" played a big part in the specific location decision for the project. It was initially planned to be elsewhere within the Pearl District, but the mystery grocery felt strongly that the Baptist site was perfect for the project, due to the Laura Street location and proximity to State and Union.

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Publix's brand strength and value adding legitimacy to a shopping area have given them the leverage to hold out for what they want, where they want, when they want (see San Marco).  Process and repeat, it just keeps building on itself.

[Ken_FSU]

^ Publix's brand strength and value adding legitimacy to a shopping area...

^EXACTLY why I think Publix could be the "get" that makes retail and residential explode in the surrounding blocks.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/aug/05/council-president-kevin-carrico-new-buyer-interested-in-laura-street-trio/

Outside Jax potential buyer to get this going. Hopefully it doesn't stall again. But don't think they would announce unless it was for certain.  Would be nice to see these get done. Recently saw some pics of inside and the architecture is unreal. They sure didn't build them like they used to. This one is  long overdue - hopefully it gets over that hurdle to bring hotel/residency.