AC Hotel by Marriott moving forward in Downtown Jacksonville

[thelakelander]

Two years after it surfaced, a proposed AC Hotel by Marriott in Downtown Jacksonville is moving toward construction.

The city is reviewing plans for the parking structure of the proposed two-building hotel on facing lots at 800 and 825 Dora St. in the Brooklyn district. Infinity Engineering Group of Tampa submitted the plans.

The project came to light in August 2024, when the Downtown Development Review Board granted conceptual approval of its design.

In May 2025, the DDRB granted final approval for design of the six-story hotel and accompanying two-story parking deck. The building sites are between Magnolia and Oak streets near Marriott's Residence Inn Jacksonville Downtown at 357 Oak St.

Full article: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/aug/04/ac-hotel-by-marriott-in-downtown-jacksonville-takes-step-toward-construction/

[jaxlongtimer]

Sorry, I have a hard time calling Brooklyn "Downtown Jacksonville."  It's still "Riverside" to me  . 

Just another example of DIA and City leaders grabbing at straws to make DT seem better off than not and giving them an excuse to toot their own horn even though most of Brooklyn has thrived in spite of their usual approaches to Downtown.

I see it as a good example of investment in infrastructure (Riverside Ave., Riverwalk, Emerald Trail, McCoys Creek, RAM) being the best key to attracting development.  I say if we took incentive dollars Downtown and redirected them to infrastructure, you would likely see similar results.  Green spaces such as riverfront parks, the Emerald Trail, streetscapes, security, zoning, master planning... These are the investments that will provide the best ROI and quickest results for Downtown development.

[thelakelander]

I can't recall. Is this project requesting public incentives?

[jaxlongtimer]

I can't recall. Is this project requesting public incentives?

I searched the Daily Record archives back to almost exactly 2 years ago when this project was first disclosed.  I saw no mention of any incentives then, or in today's article.  This could be a great example of development driven by demand for the area due to the infrastructure investments made.  No incentives necessary which is the point I made in my previous post.

[Jagsdrew]

Sorry, I have a hard time calling Brooklyn "Downtown Jacksonville."  It's still "Riverside" to me  . 

Just another example of DIA and City leaders grabbing at straws to make DT seem better off than not and giving them an excuse to toot their own horn even though most of Brooklyn has thrived in spite of their usual approaches to Downtown.

I see it as a good example of investment in infrastructure (Riverside Ave., Riverwalk, Emerald Trail, McCoys Creek, RAM) being the best key to attracting development.  I say if we took incentive dollars Downtown and redirected them to infrastructure, you would likely see similar results.  Green spaces such as riverfront parks, the Emerald Trail, streetscapes, security, zoning, master planning... These are the investments that will provide the best ROI and quickest results for Downtown development.

I heard they're building a Texas Roadhouse in downtown Jacksonville off San Jose Blvd near Old St Augustine Rd.

[Charles Hunter]

Sorry, I have a hard time calling Brooklyn "Downtown Jacksonville."  It's still "Riverside" to me  . 

Just another example of DIA and City leaders grabbing at straws to make DT seem better off than not and giving them an excuse to toot their own horn even though most of Brooklyn has thrived in spite of their usual approaches to Downtown.

I see it as a good example of investment in infrastructure (Riverside Ave., Riverwalk, Emerald Trail, McCoys Creek, RAM) being the best key to attracting development.  I say if we took incentive dollars Downtown and redirected them to infrastructure, you would likely see similar results.  Green spaces such as riverfront parks, the Emerald Trail, streetscapes, security, zoning, master planning... These are the investments that will provide the best ROI and quickest results for Downtown development.

I heard they're building a Texas Roadhouse in downtown Jacksonville off San Jose Blvd near Old St Augustine Rd.

     would that be "Southbank"?

[Ned Plimpton]

I can't recall. Is this project requesting public incentives?

I searched the Daily Record archives back to almost exactly 2 years ago when this project was first disclosed.  I saw no mention of any incentives then, or in today's article.  This could be a great example of development driven by demand for the area due to the infrastructure investments made.  No incentives necessary which is the point I made in my previous post.

Brooklyn's current strength is the result of years of public investment and development incentives that helped establish the critical mass of office, residential, retail, and recreational uses driving demand today. Those incentives played a key role in bridging the gap between development costs and achievable returns until the neighborhood reached a more mature stage of growth. Even though this project is not receiving financial incentives, that mechanism was critical in making this project pencil.

The Northbank has not yet reached that level of market maturity. Continued support for catalytic developments remains necessary to accelerate investment, build demand, and create the conditions for long-term self-sustaining growth.

[jcjohnpaint]

Wasn't the final plan to put retail bays on Oak and Dora?