A Look at the Proposed Bank Hotel

[fieldafm]

Certain botique hotels have been partnering up with the rewards program of certain chains... thereby enhancing their overall value.  This type of model could easily be adapted if the Bank Hotel is as nice as it appears in the renderings.

[Wacca Pilatka]

It is my understanding the hotel even though boutique will be affliated with a nationl chain like Marriott.

I'd imagine it'll be something like "The Bank Hotel, A (fill in the name of upscale chain) Historic Hotel."  That seems to be the naming convention for some the themed/historic boutiques.

[stjr]

The location is close to City Hall and JEA (for all those visiting sales people, lobbyists, and consultants), MOCA and the Landing (tourists), the Jazz Fest and other downtown special events (more tourists), the Federal and new county courthouses (lots of visiting lawyers and expert witnesses), etc.  With a ball room/meeting rooms to host weddings, conferences, etc. they might have more than enough to make it.  It looks like they may also put in some type of spa from the pictures.  I would presume they have done a marketing study before proceeding this far to verify same.  No guarantees but good probabilities for success?

[TheProfessor]

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.

[thelakelander]

For those who don't think this location is viable for a boutique hotel, you should walk the immediate area around the Tallahassee location.  There you have a five lane highway, a fire station and small buildings spread apart by surface parking lots.  Nevertheless, the place is a success.

[JeffreyS]

It will be great. Remember it is a mixed use property so you won't have to fill the entire high rise with hotel rooms.

[reednavy]

Both of which are on the Southbank.

However, I believe this restaurant will be on a different level than the two mentioned above. Of course, all of this is preliminary and the type of restaurant may very well change.

When this project comes to completion, it may be a number of months to a few years as many will wait and see if this succeeds or fails, and if it makes it, watch downtown boom.

[fieldafm]

Hotel occupancy rates have actually not done bad in Jax this year

[fieldafm]

For those who don't think this location is viable for a boutique hotel, you should walk the immediate area around the Tallahassee location.  There you have a five lane highway, a fire station and small buildings spread apart by surface parking lots.  Nevertheless, the place is a success.

Busiest intersection in town... and about three blocks from the Frenchtown area.  Not exactly the most upscale neighborhood in Leon County.

This Jacksonville location could do quite well IMO

[fieldafm]

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 

[reednavy]

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

[stjr]

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

She is coming to Jax in June courtesy of the Publix cooking school.  You can tell her yourself. 

I did eat at her restaurant in Savannah and, if nothing else, it's a money machine.  Over 300 seats sold out day and night much of the time.  And, a large gift shop with tourists buying everything in sight.  I won't say the meal was memorable, but it was good.

[kells904]

I haven't had the pleasure of being to ANY DT nightspots, since I haven't lived there since...'02???  (Good God, it's been that long??)  But I've come through over the years for holidays and Jags games.  Other than the Bay street metamorphosis, nothing else down there ever jumped out at me.  Anyway, if some of you more knowledgeable folks think this project can stand on its own, I'll take your word for it rub my tiki doll for good luck that it works.

I think Japanese Steakhouse is about as "extreme" as you could get for now; otherwise you'd kinda have to stick with a regular steakhouse, to be on the safe side.  Besides, you can't deny southern folks love them some grilled cow, so another steakhouse so close to Ruth's Chris probably won't matter all that much in the end.  Hell, there's two Wal-Marts within 5 minutes of each other on the Northside.

[5PointsGuy]

*Feasibility of a rooftop lounge is dependent on the realization of the proposed extension of the city's chilled water line*

What the heck is that all about?

[thelakelander]

Don't know but I don't think its true.  From what I've heard the hotel will not rely on the JEA's chilled water line, which isn't being built anyway.