Conceptual Renderings: Pearl Square's Block N-7

[thelakelander]

Gateway Jacksonville continues to move forward on plans for the development of the Pearl Square District. On Thursday, August 14, the development group will seek Downtown Development Review Board Conceptual Approval for a 15-story residential tower that will include a 32,000 square foot full-service grocery store. Here is a look at the project's conceptual design. Let us know what you think!

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/conceptual-renderings-pearl-squares-block-n-7/

[Jagsdrew]

Just breathe HeightsUnknown, just breathe!

[acme54321]

I mean, is this really real?  This is getting to be too much out of these Gateway guys

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

I mean, is this really real?  This is getting to be too much out of these Gateway guys

What do you mean? That they're building a ton? Yeah, this is only the ones that are mentioned. Potentially 11 different development projects I would think. N1 to N11. If you go downtown, there's a sign for most of their project sites. I think this looks decent. Wish it was more of a wrap around on the back side or 2 towers but it'll work. Guessing the Rosa Parks site will be a flip to fill in the gap in skyline. Just my thoughts.

[jaxlongtimer]

I mean, is this really real?  This is getting to be too much out of these Gateway guys

They are literally building a city within a city.  Given the lack of vision, planning and other short comings of City and Downtown leaders, this is about the only way to get something done successfully... control your own destiny/ecosystem without interference from helpless City officials.... just take their handouts.  It's the Disney model... a nice, neat, controlled environment.

[acme54321]

I mean, is this really real?  This is getting to be too much out of these Gateway guys

What do you mean? That they're building a ton? Yeah, this is only the ones that are mentioned. Potentially 11 different development projects I would think. N1 to N11. If you go downtown, there's a sign for most of their project sites. I think this looks decent. Wish it was more of a wrap around on the back side or 2 towers but it'll work. Guessing the Rosa Parks site will be a flip to fill in the gap in skyline. Just my thoughts.

It was a joke, there were some emojis that didnt translate to the forum in there.  It's just hard to believe that this is actually real after decades of flashy renderings with nothing to show.

I do wish that the renderings of this block showed how this will interact with plans for the other blocks to the north and east of it, Rosa Parks, old Claude Nolan/Hotel and FSCJ properties, etc. These renderings look like this block is a bit disconnected from the Pearl Square area but it's right in the middle of all of their holdings.

[Ken_FSU]

Nice looking project! Very close to what currently exists on Water Street, minus the second (west) Tower.

[CityLife]

The optics of getting Publix to finally come downtown are huge. But more important than the optics, it will make downtown much more livable, not just for downtown residents, but even those in surrounding neighborhoods. Back when I used to live in Springfield, it was rough having to drive all the way to the Riverside Publix. Every other major downtown in Florida has one and many have multiple. Greater Downtown Miami has 5, Orlando has 1, Tampa has 2 (and one just outside downtown), St. Pete has 2, WPB has 1, FTL has 2, and Sarasota has 1. 

IMO Jax should have thrown a silly amount of incentives at a developer a long time ago to make it happen, but at least it seems to be moving forward now. The Gateway Jax crew will definitely be hero's when they make it happen.

[Charles Hunter]

This will be a good addition to the north edge of the core.  I do appreciate how the renderings include the elevated Skyway structure. Unlike some other renderings that have impossible street views because they omit the Skyway (I'm looking at you Jones Bros renovation).

[Ken_FSU]

The optics of getting Publix to finally come downtown are huge. But more important than the optics, it will make downtown much more livable, not just for downtown residents, but even those in surrounding neighborhoods. Back when I used to live in Springfield, it was rough having to drive all the way to the Riverside Publix. Every other major downtown in Florida has one and many have multiple. Greater Downtown Miami has 5, Orlando has 1, Tampa has 2 (and one just outside downtown), St. Pete has 2, WPB has 1, FTL has 2, and Sarasota has 1.

Downtown Fort Myers, where I grew up, jump-started their entire urban revitalization by following a master plan anchored by a downtown Publix. Surrounding retail absolutely exploded following the opening of Publix, and overbuilt residential condos that had been at 30% occupancy following the burst of the housing bubble rapidly filled.

[bg904]

Wow. Is this real? 15 stories and a decently attractive design? I could cry real tears.

[CityLife]

The optics of getting Publix to finally come downtown are huge. But more important than the optics, it will make downtown much more livable, not just for downtown residents, but even those in surrounding neighborhoods. Back when I used to live in Springfield, it was rough having to drive all the way to the Riverside Publix. Every other major downtown in Florida has one and many have multiple. Greater Downtown Miami has 5, Orlando has 1, Tampa has 2 (and one just outside downtown), St. Pete has 2, WPB has 1, FTL has 2, and Sarasota has 1.

Downtown Fort Myers, where I grew up, jump-started their entire urban revitalization by following a master plan anchored by a downtown Publix. Surrounding retail absolutely exploded following the opening of Publix, and overbuilt residential condos that had been at 30% occupancy following the burst of the housing bubble rapidly filled.

Whoops. Forgot to include Ft. Myers. I have a blind spot there, as I really haven't spent much time there. 

Also forgot to mention that Gainesville and Tallahassee also have urban Publix's that aren't in Downtown proper, but in the middle of fairly dense areas of student housing near their downtown's and campuses. It's crazy, but not being close to a Publix is a deal breaker for a lot of Floridians. I have 4 within 2 miles of my house currently. I don't think I would move somewhere where there wasn't one close by.

[Jagsdrew]

I may be looking at the conceptual in too much detail but anyone notice on slide 3.5 the building behind the rendering? Could that be their next reveal soon? The tree is blocking a little bit but you can see a sliver of maybe a 5-6 story building.

[urban_]

Couldn't be more happy about this. A Publix next to the Skyway seems too good to be true!

[Joey Mackey]

That is a lot (4) of parking garages on Union Street