The Bullbriar Restaurant at Marble Bank
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/888954001_RFMFCj2-L.jpg)
SouthEast Group announced today the addition of a new restaurant as part of the adaptive reuse of the Laura Trio in downtown Jacksonville. Acclaimed Chef Scott Schwartz will lead the new full service restaurant and bar named "The Bullbriar", to be located in the historic Florida National Bank building, more commonly known as the Marble Bank.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-dec-the-bullbriar-restaurant-at-marble-bank (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-dec-the-bullbriar-restaurant-at-marble-bank)
http://jacksonville.com/business/2014-12-22/story/fernandina-beach-chefowner-plans-restaurant-downtowns-marble-bank-building
Very cool.
awesome!!!!
This is so exciting!
Interesting name choice. Isn't a bullbriar a bush with thorns and poisonous berries? Or am I thinking of something else. It definitely is unique and one of a kind.
So glad the news is finally out.
For those trying to picture the inside... a good point of referance is The Ordinary in Charleston. However, how Schwartz will be using the bank vaults will be really phenomenal.
(http://www.holycitysinner.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/theordinary.jpg)
(http://img1.southernliving.timeinc.net/sites/default/files/image/2013/09/100-places-to-eat-now/ordinary-charleston-south-carolina-l.jpg)
(http://eattheordinary.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Booths.jpg)
What does this mean for the project planned for the Trio and Barnett Bank Building? It will be great to start making moves on this but I worry without the other aspects of the project, this will have trouble getting off the ground.
Quote from: For_F-L-O-R-I-D-A on December 22, 2014, 02:09:40 PM
What does this mean for the project planned for the Trio and Barnett Bank Building? It will be great to start making moves on this but I worry without the other aspects of the project, this will have trouble getting off the ground.
I think the looming question mark is the proposed parking garage to be built at the corner of Main and Forsyth that will be split by the Trio, Barnett and Regions (because the Regions parking lot is proposed to become a green space). This will cost the city approx $8-10mm. Other than that, the money for the Trio and Barnett seems to be lined up for the most part and now with these leases being signed, all the pieces seem to be falling into place.
Quote from: BoldCityRealist on December 22, 2014, 02:29:04 PM
Quote from: For_F-L-O-R-I-D-A on December 22, 2014, 02:09:40 PM
What does this mean for the project planned for the Trio and Barnett Bank Building? It will be great to start making moves on this but I worry without the other aspects of the project, this will have trouble getting off the ground.
I think the looming question mark is the proposed parking garage to be built at the corner of Main and Forsyth that will be split by the Trio, Barnett and Regions (because the Regions parking lot is proposed to become a green space). This will cost the city approx $8-10mm. Other than that, the money for the Trio and Barnett seems to be lined up for the most part and now with these leases being signed, all the pieces seem to be falling into place.
100% correct. The ball is in COJ's court now.
Constructing a parking garage that will be served by a hotel, two restaurants, office space and apartments is pretty much a no brainer. Of all the parking garages COJ has built in the last 30 years, this offers a bigger bang for the buck than all of them combined.
Get this done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also, that parking garage doesn't appear to be your average Jacksonville garage. The conceptual site plan shows a public plaza, +8k square feet of ground level retail and space for additional infill development at Forsyth & Main.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/3559226156_5LBK9hT-900x2000.jpg)
Most of the public focus on the Trio has been about the building themselves. However, the latest design transforms the full dead block of Forsyth between Laura and Main, into something worth walking down and spending time in.
Quote from: brainstormer on December 22, 2014, 01:44:05 PM
Isn't a bullbriar a bush with thorns and poisonous berries? Or am I thinking of something else. It definitely is unique and one of a kind.
According to Merriam-Webster it's: "any of several American plants of the genus Smilax with large farinaceous rootstocks formerly used as food by American Indians"
QuoteMost of the public focus on the Trio has been about the building themselves. However, the latest design transforms the full dead block of Forsyth between Laura and Main, into something worth walking down and spending time in.
Absolutely correct. You'll see that the developor has insisted on ground level retail for this proposed parking garage (I don't think many realize how much of a striking contrast that is, when just two years ago COJ gave $3.5million public money to a private developer to construct a private parking garage and insisted that no ground level retail should be included... aka the Parador parking garage going up next to the SunTrust Tower), as well as adding green space (that will likely be programmed in some fashion) along Adams Street. They realize the success of their project is also dependant on the surrounding uses.
Essentially, the Trio development would also replace two dead surface parking lots with useable space... thereby enhancing not just their property... but an entire block of surrounding property. That's actually a pretty huge deal.
Looks cool. So where are we with COJ?
What a spectacular place this will be....Bringing great, local dining establishments in reused historic structures...pretty exciting.
Quote from: Tacachale on December 22, 2014, 03:16:13 PM
Looks cool. So where are we with COJ?
Yeah, my thought exactly. Looks cool, but this could stop at the city.
Quote from: Tacachale on December 22, 2014, 03:16:13 PM
Looks cool. So where are we with COJ?
^ DIA has many incentive projects teed up right now. But frankly, they can't do much until City Council passes the CRA Plan. It was sent to them months ago.
This reminds me a lot of Aubri Lane's in Milledgeville, another example of a bank converted into a restaurant. They used their vault as a cellar with a private dining room.
http://youtu.be/3Qsz99_6eak (http://youtu.be/3Qsz99_6eak)
So this will be in addition to Cowford Chophouse?
Quote from: blizz01 on December 22, 2014, 04:40:52 PM
So this will be in addition to Cowford Chophouse?
Yep, different building, different investors, different chef.
QuoteDIA has many incentive projects teed up right now. But frankly, they can't do much until City Council passes the CRA Plan. It was sent to them months ago.
It would be misleading to suggest that the CRA money before Council will be used and/or is the main holdup to the Laura Trio project moving forward. COJ would do this outside of that particular pool of money.
CRA money is a seperate issue all together, and shouldn't muddy up the conversation regarding the Trio.
This area will actually feel like a real city. This needs to get done above all other projects.
I hope this project moves forward as planned. I love how Southeast seems to have everything lined up, signing leases, and announcing whats coming to the development. I think this will ratchet up the pressure on the city to not sit on their hands and do something. Like someone said earlier, its a NO BRAINER. We cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by especially in the core. THIS is exactly the boost needed to reinvigorate the core. Fine dining will hopefully pull some of the SJTC faithful downtown and once there they will discover the core.
Quote from: fieldafm on December 22, 2014, 05:15:52 PM
CRA money is a seperate issue all together, and shouldn't muddy up the conversation regarding the Trio.
oh but it will.
Quote from: Marle Brando on December 22, 2014, 06:23:04 PM
I hope this project moves forward as planned. I love how Southeast seems to have everything lined up, signing leases, and announcing whats coming to the development. I think this will ratchet up the pressure on the city to not sit on their hands and do something. Like someone said earlier, its a NO BRAINER. We cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by especially in the core. THIS is exactly the boost needed to reinvigorate the core. Fine dining will hopefully pull some of the SJTC faithful downtown and once there they will discover the core.
It is a no brainer, but I don't remember council too often making 'brainer' decisions.
^ Very nice. Before Jacksonville's potential is noticed nationally, it has to be tapped locally first by locals investing home and capitalizing off that potential and unique culture here. Good vibes a comin', Jax is def turning a page, next chapter please ;)
Quote from: Marle Brando on December 22, 2014, 06:23:04 PM
I hope this project moves forward as planned. I love how Southeast seems to have everything lined up, signing leases, and announcing whats coming to the development. I think this will ratchet up the pressure on the city to not sit on their hands and do something. Like someone said earlier, its a NO BRAINER. We cannot afford to let this opportunity pass us by especially in the core. THIS is exactly the boost needed to reinvigorate the core. Fine dining will hopefully pull some of the SJTC faithful downtown and once there they will discover the core.
Without having any firsthand knowledge, I think you hit the nail on the head with their strategy of releasing the tenants. It is going to be much harder now for COJ to not give the necessary incentives for the project.
Elevated Southern food is definitely hot these days. Combine that with a fantastic space, and this could really turn into one of Jax's signature restaurants. Can't wait to see renderings of the interior.
I've had conversations with many of those engaged in raising Jacksonville's profile nationally. The missing strategic element is that singular identity that the city can coalesce around - I think food may hold the key. If we can make Jacksonville a regional attraction for dining, this will only further enhance arguments the Chamber and others make for large scale business relocations to the city, not just blue collar, but highly educated, culturally savvy white collar jobs.
A vibrant downtown, with multiple unique restaurants in unique, historic venues, all sharing our beautiful river as the unifying geographic element is compelling quality of life argument. Laura Street will be not just benefit those fortunate enough to stay in the hotel or eat at the restaurants, but the city as a whole in attracting more taxpayers to the city, raising QOL for all.
Also, bring the dining and entertainment and hopefully long dormant residential developments will get some traction again and satisfy the pent-up demand for downtown housing...
Bullbriar's developer is hoping to get 8 million from the city.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=544561
Quote from: I-10east on December 23, 2014, 02:17:01 PM
Bullbriar's developer is hoping to get 8 million from the city.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=544561
This shocked and frightened me for a moment, but it turns out it's just Atkins and the Southeast group's request for the whole project.
^^^My fault.
QuoteAtkins said Monday he continues to work on securing about $8 million of the four-building project's $70 million budget from the city to cover the public portion of the proposed public-private partnership.