JBJ - Two Firms make bids for former JEA Headquarters

[Ken_FSU]

Full story: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2025/07/29/bid-respondents-unveiled-for-old-jea-hq-purchase.html

There are two parties officially interested in JEA's former downtown headquarters.

Live Oak Contracting LLC and Simple State Inc submitted bid responses for the property, JEA officials said during a brief reading Tuesday. The specific amounts offered by the bid respondents were not disclosed.

Live Oak Contracting is a significant player in downtown real estate as it has been vying to purchase the Laura Street Trio. Simple State Inc has a principal address in Jacksonville Beach, according to state records....

The sale of the building will come back to the board in the future for approval. Former JEA Real Estate Director Michael Corbitt told the Business Journal last year that the public utility hopes the future of the property is redevelopment, likely residential.

[Tacachale]

This is going to be a big one when the time comes.

[Ken_FSU]

I hate to jinx it, but man does there seem to be a lot of action and interest right now 

[thelakelander]

^Glad we were able to play a behind-the-scenes role in changing the direction to adaptive reuse rather than demo first to sell vacant land.

[Jagsdrew]

Update: Live Oak Contracting envisions new life for former JEA headquarters as apartment tower

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/09/12/jea-picks-to-jacksonville-company-to-buy-former-headquarters-building/86105781007/

[heights unknown]

Update: Live Oak Contracting envisions new life for former JEA headquarters as apartment tower

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/09/12/jea-picks-to-jacksonville-company-to-buy-former-headquarters-building/86105781007/

You beat me to the punch "Jags;" I was just getting ready to update. That being said, do we, or can we really trust Live Oak? Didn't they bow out of the Laura Street Trio? By the way, what's the latest (if anyone has heard), on the Trio?

[thelakelander]

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Interesting concept.  I am trying to decide if the changes to the building are making it better or a Frankenstein of architecture.

[Steve]

Update: Live Oak Contracting envisions new life for former JEA headquarters as apartment tower

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/09/12/jea-picks-to-jacksonville-company-to-buy-former-headquarters-building/86105781007/

You beat me to the punch "Jags;" I was just getting ready to update. That being said, do we, or can we really trust Live Oak? Didn't they bow out of the Laura Street Trio? By the way, what's the latest (if anyone has heard), on the Trio?

They had to deal with Atkins on the Trio. They get a pass for that IMO.

[Steve]

This is off the charts cool IMO. Love the reuse of this.

So glad JEA did right by the community like our governmental institutions should (cough, cough, DCPS).

The only thing that could make this cooler is to bring back the revolving restaurant.

[heights unknown]

It looks nice; I for one like it.

[heights unknown]

Most of you probably don't remember (but my old ass does), that at the very top of this building was in fact a nightclub after the restaurant closed I believe in the 70's. Plush, nice with shag carpeting LOL as I remember. Wonder what it will be after renovation?

[acme54321]

I'm skeptical of renderings, but that looks pretty legit for the reuse of that building.

[Tacachale]

Update: Live Oak Contracting envisions new life for former JEA headquarters as apartment tower

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/09/12/jea-picks-to-jacksonville-company-to-buy-former-headquarters-building/86105781007/

You beat me to the punch "Jags;" I was just getting ready to update. That being said, do we, or can we really trust Live Oak? Didn't they bow out of the Laura Street Trio? By the way, what's the latest (if anyone has heard), on the Trio?

They had to deal with Atkins on the Trio. They get a pass for that IMO.

Yeah, their mistake there was trusting Atkins. The holdups and failures were not on their end.

As for what's happening with the Trio now, the foreclosure suit is moving forward full speed ahead. It's up to Atkins how he deals with that. Tick tock, tick tock...

[Des]

Did anyone notice that bit where it said they gave the three buildings, main building, admin building, and parking garage, to Live Oak for $1m?