A Look at the Proposed Bank Hotel

[fsujax]

^^your probably right.

[Dog Walker]

Please don't, her place in Savannah is a total joke.

Second that!

[Ocklawaha]

Build the Cheese Cake factory in the tunnels below the banks, then connect it to the Jacksonville Subway System!


OCKLAWAHA
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[Cliffs_Daughter]

Hey OCK -

"Por favor, mantenganse allejado de las puertas"   

[Miss Fixit]

I think we should all stand behind this.  The only thing I would change is the steak house idea.  There is a Ruth's Chris and Morton's steakhouse downtown already.  They need a different type of restaurant that will attract a younger urban crowd.

So something that serves food that doesnt taste like calories?

I agree!  We do have a density of steak houses.

What we simply do not have is a place that serves authentic southern cuisine.  Or a credible seafood restaurant downtown.

Lightbulb goes off in head....

Something that would put Paula Dean to shame right here in the River City, hmmm 

Right town, wrong chef/restaurant.  One model the Bank should consider is Savannah's Garibaldi's  Cafe - fine dining with a southern/southern italian flair, in a beautiful historic building.  Check out photos of their gorgeous dining room at

http://www.garibaldisavannah.com/flash.html

[Dapperdan]

As mentioned before, a hotel doesn't have to be just a  hotel. It can be a detination. It can have nightlife. It can have ballrooms to host events. It can have a restaurant downstairs for lunch. Plus,as others have mentioned, it is not that far removed from anything. I am excited about this developement.

[finehoe]

Hopefully the restuarant won't be any of these:  http://www.cspinet.org/new/201005251.html

[Ethylene]

Were going over to the buildings today to photograph the interiors and take a tour of the entire thing.

This should make for some interesting shots.

I'm jealous!

[heights unknown]

I really feel that a place with so much substance will sell itself - and, in this case could become the catalyst for things to come.  Look at the current trend that's happening downtown with the nightlife.  The more recent openings of places like Dos Gatos, Lit, Ivy, etc. all carry an upscale vibe & seem to have given us something fresh - that's all that's required, just some creativity.  The hotel itself actually has a Kessler vibe (of which, I believe that the Autograph Collection is now part of Marriott International).  If this comes to fruition, I have no doubt it will be THE place to stay DT.

http://www.kesslercollection.com/

I believe in the plans for the "Bank Hotel," and the Laura Trio at large, but as I said in an earlier post, hope Jacksonville can support the hotel and the trio.  Don't forget, though there is an increase of activity/nightlife in DT Jax, nightclubbers, bar hoppers and restauranters don't traditionally book rooms in hotels.

"HU"

[heights unknown]

I think we should all stand behind this.  The only thing I would change is the steak house idea.  There is a Ruth's Chris and Morton's steakhouse downtown already.  They need a different type of restaurant that will attract a younger urban crowd.

I stand behind it and believe in it, but still harbor some skepticism and suspicion because of the past, and the fact at present there doesn't seem to be a staunch justification for the hotel. There is nothing downtown right now to really fill up those rooms, howbeit, at times there will be (super bowl, Georgia Florida Game, Visitors to the Landing, Tourists passing through, Conventions, etc.).  Hope it all pans out though.

"HU"

[Captain Zissou]

^ HU.  There may be no concrete reason for the project Right Now, but it will add at least 2 restaurants, at least 1 bar, up to 250 residents, and plenty of hotel space.  What if those additions were enough for us to hit a tipping point in downtown development, which then increased demand for more projects?  That is my hope.  While it may seem like a stretch right now, I think that this will be the nudge that gets the downtown ball rolling again. 

This could complete the Bay street/ FL theatre area entertainment district, and better tie that district into the Landing.  That would put dt ahead of the beaches entertainment district, IMO, and would be unmatched anywhere in town. 

One thing this will do.... It will excentuate how dumb that parking garage between Main, Ocean, Forsyth, and Bay is.  That will be smack dab in the middle of the entertainment corridor.

[fieldafm]

jazz club/ wine and cigar bar

We have one of those already with Poppy Love Smoke 

[tufsu1]

I don't think a Cheesecake factory in dt Jax would draw in crowds.  They'd prefer to park in sun baked surface lots, endure 2 hour wait times, and awful traffic than explore an area they are unfamiliar with and don't understand in order to eat the same food.  Unless we close the SJTC Cheesecake Factory, they will choose that one over downtown every time.

If that is the case, then folks will choose STJC for everything right?  If so, why bother giving the Landing $ for parking. 

In all seriousness, Cheesecake Factory in Orlando does well at both Mall at Millenia and at Winter Park Village.

[duvaldude08]

Honestly, im not to fond of the Cheesecake factory. I went to the one in Orlando years ago and was not very pleased with the menu. Its a nice place, but definately not worth the wait for a table. However, it is very popular and I feel would do well at the Landing.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

Honestly, im not to fond of the Cheesecake factory. I went to the one in Orlando years ago and was not very pleased with the menu. Its a nice place, but definately not worth the wait for a table. However, it is very popular and I feel would do well at the Landing.

+1

That's what I was trying to say, but you put it so much better.