Level's: A Look at Laveranues Coles Plans for Downtown
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3058056435_CTFQSLQ-M.jpg)
Metro Jacksonville shares the conceptual plans of what will become East Bay Street's latest dining and nightlife venue: Levels Restaurant
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-feb-levels-a-look-at-laveranues-coles-plans-for-downtown (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-feb-levels-a-look-at-laveranues-coles-plans-for-downtown)
Another story why I wonder why I have to click to an extra page when it would have easily fit on one. But I guess the extra page hit makes you guys happier for ad revenue.
^^^I strongly second your question as to why we break these articles down into multiple pages.
^Got to pay the bills. We don't ask for donations (maybe we should?) and running a website with this much traffic isn't as cheap as it was when we started in 2006. Being self sufficient from a revenue/operations standpoint protects you from the bad, closed door side of Jax politics when you take on issues that some may not agree with. Nevertheless, no one is getting rich off of this. It's about as pure community service and love as it gets.
Good to see they're keeping the big awnings out front--not sure why these aren't included in all new construction in Jax. It's not like we don't ever have scalding sun and sudden rain storms here, except for pretty much all year round.
That night shot looks dark though--hope they include some nice lighting out front.
Glad to see another building downtown getting some love!
Quote from: thelakelander on February 05, 2014, 09:20:40 AM
^Got to pay the bills. We don't ask for donations (maybe we should?) and running a website with this much traffic isn't as cheap as it was when we started in 2006. Being self sufficient from a revenue/operations standpoint protects you from the bad, closed door side of Jax politics when you take on issues that some may not agree with. Nevertheless, no one is getting rich off of this. It's about as pure community service and love as it gets.
When people complain about that I always wonder how their own website is doing and how they manage to run it so efficiently to keep up with the traffic and expenses.
If you're going to nitpick something, pick the copy editing. I'm pretty sure this place will be called "Levels", not "Level's". Those type of errors turn up in many articles, but should be fixable without driving down the ad revenue.
Not to detract from this thread, but I like it when new threads are created, especially when there are major milestone moments in a development or if things have been quite for an extended period of time. As a new reader to this site there is nothing more discouraging than trying to join a conversation that is 20 pages long and goes back 3 or 4 years.
L.P. Hovercraft wrote, ".....Good to see they're keeping the big awnings out front--not sure why these aren't included in all new construction in Jax. It's not like we don't ever have scalding sun ..........."
The canopy is glass. Unless they "smoke" the glass or coat it there will be no respite from the "scalding sun."
The layout looks good; can't wait to see the interior design.
It's too bad they can't (won't) do something to narrow Bay St. so that sidewalk dining can be put in.
Quote from: Kerry on February 05, 2014, 11:00:00 AM
It's too bad they can't (won't) do something to narrow Bay St. so that sidewalk dining can be put in.
actually that is being considered for the DIA plan
Quote from: Overstreet on February 05, 2014, 10:43:49 AM
L.P. Hovercraft wrote, ".....Good to see they're keeping the big awnings out front--not sure why these aren't included in all new construction in Jax. It's not like we don't ever have scalding sun ..........."
The canopy is glass. Unless they "smoke" the glass or coat it there will be no respite from the "scalding sun."
Cool--maybe it could even have a built in magnifying glass effect like the notorious car-torching building in London.
Don't stand under the glass canopy at high noon on a sunny day unless you enjoy the smell of burning hair!
Quote from: Tacachale on February 05, 2014, 10:07:48 AM
If you're going to nitpick something, pick the copy editing. I'm pretty sure this place will be called "Levels", not "Level's". Those type of errors turn up in many articles, but should be fixable without driving down the ad revenue.
Call it growing pains. You can blame this one on me. Typos from a non-English major putting something together at 1230a, after a hard day's work and on little sleep, are bound to happen. We've addressed the copy editing issue by bringing in UNF English majors as interns over the last month.
The next challenge is having enough completed in time for them to actually get the chance to edit. Historically, we've had late nights where we put stuff together at the last minute to make sure there's something new for you to read on a daily basis.
In any event, we're already addressing this. Give us a week or two and we should have enough in que to allow copy editing for all front page articles moving forward.
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 05, 2014, 11:01:07 AM
Quote from: Kerry on February 05, 2014, 11:00:00 AM
It's too bad they can't (won't) do something to narrow Bay St. so that sidewalk dining can be put in.
actually that is being considered for the DIA plan
Seems like a waste of cash for this stretch. The sidewalk is already wide enough for outdoor dining.
As a long time Jets fan and admirer of Mr. Coles work and actions as a person, I wish him only the greatest success and hope he is a spark for further organic growth downtown.
Sorry but this design is terrible. They are basically covering over the old storefront and glass and replacing it with slate tile, including covering the doors with slate tile (why??). This will create a deadly sidewalk presence and most likely be downright ugly.
Furthermore, while I'm not an opponent of glass canopies per se, I think that the scale of the existing awnings are much nicer and more functional to both the facade design and for pedestrians.
The plan shows storage and other rooms directly inside the front facade. These should be moved so that we don't end up with blank facades along Bay Street. This is pretty common sense stuff.
To correct my previous post, it's actually a fire stair and elevator hoistway pushed up against the front facade (right side of plan). Regardless....makes no sense.
Maybe there can be some LED lights wrapped around the trees, and a flashy neon sigh over the front door.
How much does it cost to place an ad here on MJ?
I love Downtown and Bay St.
Bay Street is definitely the place to open a new bar, the nightlife there is good and has been pretty strong for the past few years. Best of luck to everyone involved, I'll definitely be checking it out.
Lake you really think the side walks are larger enough for outdoor dinning? Just asking. It doesn't seem that they are jmo. Anyway the site plan looks nice.
Northstar, Underbelly, and Mark's all have outdoor seating...so yes, the sidewalk could accomodate some outdoor dining
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 05, 2014, 09:48:03 PM
Northstar, Underbelly, and Mark's all have outdoor seating...so yes, the sidewalk could accomodate some outdoor dining
It would help if they removed the palm trees and repaved the areas where they are or replace them with shade trees.
I dig the development, but NOT the facade. I hope they aren't allowed to cover the windows. It all looks so bland and will be overlooked as it is now.
It looks like covering the right side is to add stairs and an elevator. Seems to be a code thing; perhaps they can find a different place to put it.
Quote from: coredumped on February 05, 2014, 07:17:54 PM
Bay Street is definitely the place to open a new bar, the nightlife there is good and has been pretty strong for the past few years. Best of luck to everyone involved, I'll definitely be checking it out.
Hell yea shot outs to MARK.
I'm going to enter the NFL draft as a running back.
What? It looks pretty straightforward and I like to run...
I wish Mr Coles the world of luck, but luck doesn't manage food and labor costs any more than athletic ability does. It takes more than money to run a restaurant. Ask Duane Wade, Larry Bird, Johnny Unitas, Lawrence Taylor, Jim McMahon, Michael Jordan, Hulk Hogan (Pastamania anyone?)... You can't just throw millions at it; well, you can until your millions are gone.
I'm all for a new restaurant downtown or anywhere in the urban core. I hope(pray) he proves me wrong and hits a home run...because that might be as likely as him actually hitting a home run.
Looking forward to eating my words, at his restaurant. ;)
Hopefully, he succeeds because success will only create more opportunity for additional people. However, if it fails, it's still a net positive in that another vacant structure is renovated. This allows someone else to follow behind if the initial concept is unsuccessful. There are examples of this all over town.
I agree, Lake. I think it'll be a win either way for DT. And, like I said, I am pulling for him (as a business owner, DT advocate and FSU alum. >>------;;---->)
However, did you hear the story about the guy with no restaurant experience, other than as a guest, who decided to open a multilevel restaurant and club?
He's not opening a little cafe to learn the business. He's going big time. I hope he surrounds himself with the right people. People who protect his money like it's their own. On a Sunday night, when his manager is looking at labor vs sales and sees that his dishwasher is about to hit OT, will he send the guy home and start doing dishes? Or figure, why worry? LC is paid/doesn't know what good labor #s are/won't care/oh well slow night? If you don't know this business, your own staff will rob you blind and you won't know where all the $$ is going. You'll be pot committed with 2/7 off suit... Being a badass WR/nice guy/'celeb' won't help you there.
Well hopefully he's given former NFL and NBA players like John Offerdahl and Jamal Mashburn a call. Those guys have been pretty successful with their business investments after their playing days ended.
Quote from: thelakelander on February 06, 2014, 07:35:58 PM
Hopefully, he succeeds because success will only create more opportunity for additional people. However, if it fails, it's still a net positive in that another vacant structure is renovated. This allows someone else to follow behind if the initial concept is unsuccessful. There are examples of this all over town.
they spent a fortune renovating for Eclate jazz bar which didn't make it but Dive Bar hung in there.
^Same goes for Underbelly, the pizza place next door and the new cigar lounge around the corner. All are in spaces originally retrofitted by venues that failed, sold and moved on, etc. Nevertheless, I really felt sorry for the Eclate guys. They invested in Bay Street a few years too early.
I hope someone listens to JaxArchitect! All street level designs must be inviting and not deemed "inaccessible" to pedestrians. Everyone who cares about Downtown Jacksonville's redevelopment must read Jeff Speck's book The Walkable City. Fabulous ideas that work as demonstrated in other cities like ours.
The DDRB raised concerns about transparency yesterday. There will be a special DDRB meeting next Tuesday where revisions to the design are expected to be presented.
does anyone else think of this every single time??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQyXeLSL0II#t=17
The DDRB is going to find some stupid problem that doesn't even matter. (such as someone forgetting to dot an I or something like that) Meanwhile, they'll approve the Fuller Warren widening project without a separated bike/pedestrian path. What use is the DDRB for DT, really? Why do these clowns always screw with the truly urban projects?
Quote from: urbaknight on February 10, 2014, 11:20:10 AM
The DDRB is going to find some stupid problem that doesn't even matter. (such as someone forgetting to dot an I or something like that) Meanwhile, they'll approve the Fuller Warren widening project without a separated bike/pedestrian path. What use is the DDRB for DT, really? Why do these clowns always screw with the truly urban projects?
Does FDOT have to go to DDRB?
No.
LOL Didn't think so.
I'm just saying, the powers that be seem to always try to throw roadblocks in the way of DownTown development.
Enough already. If anything, the problem with the DDRB is that it's not insistent enough that projects are designed well for an urban environment.
Speaking of DDRB, I recently saw a rendering of the "Shoppes on Riverside and FreshMarket" that has broken ground on Riverside Avenue. How did that suburban strip mall cluster of buildings ever pass DDRB approval? I believe the rendering was in February issue of The Resident. If I new how to successfully post images to this site I would dig out the paper and scan the rendering.
Sounds like the design has been revised and the DDRB approved it. I'm sure images will be coming soon.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=542222
QuoteNot to detract from this thread, but I like it when new threads are created, especially when there are major milestone moments in a development or if things have been quite for an extended period of time. As a new reader to this site there is nothing more discouraging than trying to join a conversation that is 20 pages long and goes back 3 or 4 years.
As much guff as I give Lake and Stephen, et al, on threads, they do a helluva job with the board. They really do. Sure there are other solutions out there they could be using and doing more with, GOOGLE PLUS, this is really the only place to get all the news that is really fit to read in Jacksonville, FL.
Looking forward to seeing the new Coles place.
So did this place ever open or did it vanish like the majority of other plans that are associated with Downtown?
It's moving forward.
I think this is actually kind of cool. Just hope they don't use the famous name to jack the prices through the roof.
Looks like it's only going to be a club now, no food. That, and other info, here: http://m.jacksonville.com/business/2014-12-07/story/roger-bulls-sunday-notebook
Sounds like food and more will be coming to the entire block. I'm interested to see what they have planned.
^^i saw that too, but isn't most of that block already occupied??
^It is, but not everything's really open. There's Mark's and an office to the west, and a tattoo parlor and the old Dive Bar to the east. Perhaps this is what they're talking about. Past TSI there are some offices for lawyers and bondsmen and such, which would probably be an easy sell for entertainment venues.
This is a natural fit for expanding "The Elbow" nightclub block. Excellent!
Was there any pictures or anything of how it will look with the new redesign?
Update:
QuoteFood notes: Work underway at Laveranues Coles' Downtown Levels Nightclub
(http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/storyimages/1418230773laveranuescolesfoodnotespage2.jpg)
By Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor
More than a year after retired NFL wide receiver Laveranues Coles Jr. bought a two-story Downtown building, the Levels Nightclub he plans there is under construction for a possible opening in early 2015.
Coles said Tuesday he had been shooting for a New Year's opening but will not rush the work. He estimates he will invest about $1.5 million total in the project.
Coles said other buildings on the block are of interest to a potential buyer. He would not disclose the name, but said the deal was in due diligence.
"I wanted to be part of what's happening down there," he said.
Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=544473
http://vintagejacksonville.net/2014/11/19/florida-state-theatres-inc-1954/
^^ Cool picture, thanks.
Update on another Coles endeavor:
FSU Alum Laveranues Coles Looks to open Jax Showbar
Full article: http://floridapolitics.com/archives/190639-fsu-alum-laveranues-coles-looks-to-open-jax-showbar
Showbar aka strip club?
It does appear to have devolved into a strip club
I think Coles has pulled the plug.
On which endeavor?
What did I miss? The strip club is for a place that already was a strip club in the past. What has this got to do with downtown? Other than he is doing nothing with it?
Quote from: thelakelander on September 18, 2015, 09:25:49 AM
Update on another Coles endeavor:
FSU Alum Laveranues Coles Looks to open Jax Showbar
Full article: http://floridapolitics.com/archives/190639-fsu-alum-laveranues-coles-looks-to-open-jax-showbar
Quote from: river4340 on September 18, 2015, 09:13:19 PM
I think Coles has pulled the plug.
Well, the dumpster has been removed from the front of Levels, and no work is going on inside as far as I can tell. Maybe he needs some money. Unless Khan and the city reach an accord soon, the whole elbow seems at risk in the short term. As usual, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
"... the whole elbow seems at risk in the short term."
Hmmm. Hourglass seems to be doing fine. TSI is being replaced by something that looks promising. Marks is experimenting with Sunday hours. Olio is experimenting with evening hours. Underbelly, 1904, Burro Bar, Indochine and Dos Gatos chugging right along. Burrito Gallery expanding. Future looks bright to me with or without shipyards development.
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on September 23, 2015, 11:29:49 AM
"... the whole elbow seems at risk in the short term."
Hmmm. Hourglass seems to be doing fine. TSI is being replaced by something that looks promising. Marks is experimenting with Sunday hours. Olio is experimenting with evening hours. Underbelly, 1904, Burro Bar, Indochine and Dos Gatos chugging right along. Burrito Gallery expanding. Future looks bright to me with or without shipyards development.
hope you are right.
Rip out that courthouse parking deck and throw an exhibition hall on the old courthouse site and that area will be fine for decades, with or without the Shipyards.
Drove by this morning, and it looks like the dumpster is back.
Coles is out. Insetta is back in.
QuoteInsetta gets back Bay Street building
By Karen Brune Mathis
Restaurateur Jonathan Insetta, who operates two high-profile neighborhood restaurants with another in progress Downtown, now has another building available on the Northbank.
Retired NFL wide receiver Laveranues Coles Jr. conveyed the Downtown building he bought from the Insettas back to the family.
Coles had planned the Levels Nightclub at the 323-325 E. Bay St. structure, but stopped work on it. He declined comment Tuesday, but said he could share information later.
Insetta said Tuesday he doesn't have immediate plans for the structure and might put it back on the market.
"We've always liked the building," he said. "It's in great condition. Bay Street is kind of coming into its own."
Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=546633
^^^ What a shame since it looked like his company put a lot of work into that building and could hopefully fetch some decent offers when put back in the market. At least Laveraneus Coles didn't partake in DIA retail grant $$
And speaking of stalled projects, whats the latest on the project at 120 E. Forsyth?
And what also sucks about this is that Dive Bar is also shuttered creating an extended dead zone between Mark's and the Hourglass Pub. Although that will be remedied some what with the TSI renovation, connectivity is vital for that area to thrive as an enteratinment district.
Quote from: JaxJersey-licious on December 09, 2015, 02:50:36 PM
^^^ What a shame since it looked like his company put a lot of work into that building and could hopefully fetch some decent offers when put back in the market. At least Laveraneus Coles didn't partake in DIA retail grant $$
And speaking of stalled projects, whats the latest on the project at 120 E. Forsyth?
I think that one is up in smoke.
Quote from: JaxJersey-licious on December 09, 2015, 03:01:51 PM
And what also sucks about this is that Dive Bar is also shuttered creating an extended dead zone between Mark's and the Hourglass Pub. Although that will be remedied some what with the TSI renovation, connectivity is vital for that area to thrive as an enteratinment district.
What? When did DiveBar close???
I really hope that this makes way for someone with a renewed vision to come in and capitalize on these spots. I see the Elbow as having huge potential and it is already pretty good but it's all about understanding what the market needs/wants and adding it to the mix.
I am not sure what its going to take to re-energize the elbow, but its needs something. So far the same ideas keep getting rehashed over and over again(a lot of $$$ gets spent on a club/bar build-out and then whoever runs the place cant get people to fill it). I am hoping the new bistro and club will energize things a bit when it opens fingers crossed. Maybe Bold City will bring some energy down there as well.
The best thing that could happen over there is moving the convention center across the street, to the old courthouse site. It would be an economic blessing, not only for those Elbow venues but also the Hyatt and Landing.
I agree^ But what would become of the old city hall annex? I always thought it would make for a great apartment building if repurposed or possible attached convention center hotel.
^^ I agree. And completing Berkman 2 would also help a great deal. Recall that DIA turned down a developer a year or so ago who, for a mere $5 million, would have completed the building and turned it into apartments. That would have reduced the average age of the neighborhood residents significantly.
^I personally think the old city hall annex would be a great public/private market rate housing project with some street level retail/dining. It's a centrally located and structurally sound with floor plates that would be more conducive for residential retrofit, verses those of a typical office building. The city also already owns it, meaning the public side of the partnership could be giving the property (for free or at a significantly reduced price) to a group to retrofit. In the end, the property returns to the tax rolls and it's filled with something that positively contributes to the urban environment surrounding it.
A bit off topic but, I have very bad news. I got dumped so I won't be moving. I didn't want to jinks it before but I might as well say where I was going to move, It was Vermont. It's bad news for everyone here because I'm bad luck. That's why the city can't get its act together and the Jags suck. All that will change once I leave though. In Vermont I was going to become a Pats fan in order to bring them down to the leveel of the jags. But now I'm still stuck here. We can forget about the Laura st Trio, the Barnett building, the building across from the Carling or any truely Progressive DT developement from happening this year. I'm very sorry Jacksonville. I care about this city so much. But I can't be here if we want this to be a real city.
I'm thinking of doing some sort of fund raiser to in order to get the money I need to be able to move. Would anyone here donate to that caue by any chance? This city can become what we all believe it should be. But only if I'm not here.
^ LOL, would love to know your original thought - considering the edit...
Quote from: urbaknight on January 27, 2016, 01:09:20 PM
A bit off topic but, I have very bad news. I got dumped so I won't be moving. I didn't want to jinks it before but I might as well say where I was going to move, It was Vermont. It's bad news for everyone here because I'm bad luck. That's why the city can't get its act together and the Jags suck. All that will change once I leave though. In Vermont I was going to become a Pats fan in order to bring them down to the leveel of the jags. But now I'm still stuck here. We can forget about the Laura st Trio, the Barnett building, the building across from the Carling or any truely Progressive DT developement from happening this year. I'm very sorry Jacksonville. I care about this city so much. But I can't be here if we want this to be a real city.
I'm thinking of doing some sort of fund raiser to in order to get the money I need to be able to move. Would anyone here donate to that caue by any chance? This city can become what we all believe it should be. But only if I'm not here.
So . . . you're doing some kind of reverse mojo thing, right? Right?
Cheer up, knight. Plenty more fish in the sea. But . . .
Vermont? For real? Brrrrrrrrr !!!
^ Well I am from Jersey, so Vermont isn't too far of a stretch. I'm fine with the cold; I was looking forward to getting into ice fishing and back into skiing. Plus I was really looking forward to knocking that spoiled playboy tom brady down a few pegs by being his fan. Any team that I live close to and root for has always sucked. It happened with the Eagels, then the Giants and now the Jags. So I just figured I'd send that misfortune to the Patriots. I think we can all agree that they win too much.
As for Downtown, things will improve, but only in my absentance. That what happened with every place I moved away from. They've all pretty much become hotspots, or at the very least they became very well known. And I think I can do the same thing for Jax.
But the main thing is that, no woman in this area will date me, I've checked with them all!