Developer completes deal to buy historic Downtown building

[thelakelander]

Mike Langton has purchased the Republic Title Building. Renovation may start as early as next month.


Before (left), Proposed After (right)

Langton, managing partner of L.B. Jax Development LLC, said Friday his purchase of the Old Republic Title Building at 120 E. Forsyth St. was a done deal. Langton paid $450,000 for the building, which is adjacent to the Florida Theatre.

Langton went under contract on the property in August.

Old Republic National Title Insurance Co. will move out of the building in February, Langton said, at which point he'll start interior demolition on the first floor of the building, redeveloping the storefront to make it appropriate for a restaurant.

full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/01/10/exclusive-developer-completes-deal-to.html

[Charles Hunter]

Good news - on the restoration of the old store front (look), and another restaurant.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Always good to hear this kind of news!!

[edjax]

Good news.  Hope he finds a tenant or two for the ground floor soon.

[Tacachale]

Great news on all fronts. This is the kind of thing we need downtown.

[edjax]

Exactly what is needed.  One storefront at a time. 

[strider]

He took this to the Historic Preservation Commission for an opinion.  He seems to have the proper attitude for this, one that truly wants to help downtown become a place he and all of us can be proud of and do so keeping the financial realities in mind. That is exactly what the urban core needs more of.

[joshuataylor]

He's been a hero to downtown ever since he renovated the WA Knight building earlier this century. It's a shame the city blocked him from taking over the old Barnett Building... it could be something more than open windows by now.

[Bill Hoff]

The DIA incentives were key to getting this deal done.

[Mike D]

The proposed "new" look is excellent.  One building at a time...imagine if the trend could spread through downtown.

[mtraininjax]

This is old news, The Times Union reported he purchased it last month. Discussed taking out some walls to open up the space.

He purchased the property in August 2013.

[thelakelander]

More details from the Jax Daily Record:

Plans include an upscale restaurant with a sidewalk café on the ground floor. Another possibility is a rooftop bar, Langton said, but so far he has not signed a lease with any tenant.

"I had two letters of intent, but they both backed out," Langton said.

He plans to begin interior demolition after March 1, when the title company relocates its offices to 121 W. Forsyth St. The building could open as early as October.

Langton is seeking incentives from the city for the project. He said he hopes the Downtown Investment Authority will approve a $100,000 Retail Enhancement Program grant Wednesday. He also is seeking $75,000 from the city Historic Trust Fund for the project.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=541581

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

Great news. It'll make a great place to have a pre-theater dinner and a post-theater cocktail and dessert.