Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => Downtown => Topic started by: thelakelander on October 29, 2013, 01:24:24 PM

Title: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: thelakelander on October 29, 2013, 01:24:24 PM
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/585665672_JpvQg-M.jpg)

QuoteBy Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor

Former NFL wide receiver Laveranues Coles Jr., a Jacksonville native and veteran player for Ribault High School and Florida State University, appears to be making a property play Downtown.
Could he be planning a bar, restaurant or housing – or a combination? Those uses are allowed for the almost 110-year-old building he bought at 323-325 E. Bay St., which is across from the old Duval County Courthouse.

Coles acknowledges the purchase but hasn't been available yet to discuss more details.
full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=540914
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: fsujax on October 29, 2013, 01:44:48 PM
Good. Great to see a local, FSU guy doing something to help Downtown. If only more with the ability would step up.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: Dapperdan on October 29, 2013, 02:24:22 PM
Lost of potential for this building. I am interested, if you were a developer, what would you do with this building? It sounds like essentially there are three levels including the basement.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: JeffreyS on October 29, 2013, 02:43:48 PM
Worked in that building for a few years great space with a big storage basement.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: CityLife on October 29, 2013, 03:40:39 PM
$750k is around what it costs for a 50' by 100' lot a few blocks from the beach in Atlantic Beach these days...pretty crazy that for the same amount of money you can get a building like that in a prime location Downtown.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: mtraininjax on October 30, 2013, 09:15:32 AM
Bay street? How many concussions did he suffer while playing?
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: Tacachale on October 30, 2013, 09:59:32 AM
I love that building. So much potential.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: DDC on October 30, 2013, 05:28:11 PM
Quote from: mtraininjax on October 30, 2013, 09:15:32 AM
Bay street? How many concussions did he suffer while playing?

What is wrong with Bay Street? ???
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: RockStar on October 30, 2013, 10:49:37 PM
Quote from: fsujax on October 29, 2013, 01:44:48 PM
Good. Great to see a local, FSU guy doing something to help Downtown. If only more with the ability would step up.
???
Class of '96 here.

>>---------->
fear the spear.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: simms3 on October 30, 2013, 11:16:00 PM
Awesome news!  Now all he needs is an experienced development/operating partner :)  But it sounds like it will be Jonathan Insetta (can't go wrong there)

<$50/sf!!!  air-conditioned basement space, 1982 renovation, hardwood floors, original brick, only vacant for 5-6 years...past purchase was $1M, $332K assessment based on higher past purchase.

Man, I'm seriously jealous of anyone who has cash to throw at these kinds of things.  Jonathan Insetta loan for a whopping 85% LTC...I'm sure with strings attached, but that only means you already have a proven successful tenant lined up and no lender approval hurdles since the lender is your tenant, heh!

So jeals.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: Coolyfett on October 31, 2013, 01:06:06 AM
Sounds like Good News!!! Always liked Coles, I wonder what Jaber Gaffney is up to these days, I can remember when those guys were in the Super 11 for FTU. There was a cornerback too who played for the Eagles not sure if he was a Nole or Gator, his name escapes me right now. Whatever Coles does its great to see him investing in Home.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: Rynjny on October 31, 2013, 01:15:35 AM
Quote from: Coolyfett on October 31, 2013, 01:06:06 AM
Sounds like Good News!!! Always liked Coles, I wonder what Jaber Gaffney is up to these days, I can remember when those guys were in the Super 11 for FTU. There was a cornerback too who played for the Eagles not sure if he was a Nole or Gator, his name escapes me right now. Whatever Coles does its great to see him investing in Home.

Lito Sheppard?
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: mtraininjax on October 31, 2013, 08:02:19 AM
QuoteWhat is wrong with Bay Street? ???

There is nothing wrong with Bay Street, but in that block across from the old courthouse, it is sort of empty. If you are going to invest that chunk of change, why not invest it in a part of downtown where there is walking traffic? The courthouse is closed, so no traffic there. Just thinking there are more robust parts of downtown to invest in and capture more walk-around dollars.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: ben says on October 31, 2013, 08:20:56 AM
Like a lot of good real estate deals, it involves speculation. Tons of naysayers when a guy speculates like that, but for the sake of downtown, let's hope he gets the last laugh.

The courthouse area won't be dead forever!
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: mtraininjax on October 31, 2013, 08:25:48 AM
QuoteTons of naysayers when a guy speculates like that, but for the sake of downtown, let's hope he gets the last laugh.

True, and maybe he knows something we don't about this space and those around him. Wish him the best.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: ben says on October 31, 2013, 09:13:45 AM
Wouldn't that be something! An ex-football player who uses his money to "do good"--and doesn't blow it by 40 on restaurants and drugs.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: CityLife on October 31, 2013, 09:57:21 AM
^He got a huge wake up call when he was kicked off of FSU back in 99 (deservedly after numerous run ins) and really has turned his life around since. I've heard he's a really good guy these days and have a hunch that he's eager to do good after his rough youth.

Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: thelakelander on October 31, 2013, 10:00:59 AM
His career sure turned out better than Warrick's. You never would have imagined that around the time of the Dillard's incident.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: CityLife on October 31, 2013, 10:10:29 AM
Yep...PDub's NFL career was ruined by a knee injury. The year before it he had 820 yards and 7 TD's, 150 yards rushing, and 250 punt return yards. He was never going to have an NFL career that matched his college career, but the knee injury killed what would have been a solid career.

Coles was on his 3rd strike, while Warrick had been a model student prior to the incident.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: thelakelander on November 22, 2013, 12:30:06 PM
Coles is planning to open a multi-level restaurant.

QuoteFormer New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles Jr. wants to turn the three-story East Bay Street building he recently bought into a restaurant that he calls "Levels" on his Facebook page.
Coles posted Nov. 3 that "Levels coming soon!" and describes it as an "upscale and grown venue."

The building comprises two floors and a basement.

JAA Architecture of Jacksonville is working on the project. "JAA Architecture is proud to announce that we are collaborating with Laveranues Coles, former New York Jets player, on a new restaurant in Jacksonville, FL," the company posted Sept. 27 on its jaaarchitecture.com blog.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=541124
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: CG7 on November 22, 2013, 01:01:52 PM
Finally an area athlete that gets it. It sounds like a great project.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: jaxjags on November 22, 2013, 01:08:14 PM
I like the idea that it will be "upscale and grown up". As an "older" Jax resident whom still wants to enjoy using downtown this will be a great addition to the scene on Bay Street.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: duvaldude08 on November 22, 2013, 01:16:38 PM
I love to see when current or former athletes from our city give back and want to contribute to make things better. I really hope its a hit!
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: Tacachale on November 22, 2013, 01:57:23 PM
This is a really cool idea.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: river4340 on November 24, 2013, 03:13:16 PM
QuoteJohn Allmand of JAA said he and Coles are in the process of bidding the contracting now. Construction should start in a few weeks with the opening around March.

The building has two floors, 5,000 square feet each, and Allmand said there will be a bar and a stage for live music on each floor.

There will be a full kitchen, but the restaurant's theme hasn't been decided, nor has the name.

But he said Coles is leaning toward calling it Levels.

http://members.jacksonville.com/business/2013-11-23/story/sunday-notebook-ex-fsu-star-coles-open-restaurant
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: I-10east on December 06, 2013, 09:57:06 PM
Laveranues Coles: "I heard a big wave is coming." Coles expects a full opening of the restaurant by March 1, 2014.

www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=541245
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: thelakelander on December 06, 2013, 10:29:26 PM
^It's pretty cool what Coles is doing. I look forward to his venue opening.
Title: Re: Laveranues Coles buys Downtown building
Post by: thelakelander on February 04, 2014, 12:07:09 AM
A rendering of the proposed façade changes.

(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Levels-Restaurant/i-2H5V6mc/0/M/DDRB%20February%206.2014%20Agenda_Page_78-M.jpg)