Downtown Development Update: What's rising, what's delayed

[fsu813]

Any idea why DVI randomly decided to cancel Sip and Stroll through September? Feels like a popular event that always draws good foot traffic for local businesses. The DIA pushed through open container regulations for it. We finally have the riverfront parks open. Perfect time of year with schools out and daylight until 8:00 pm. Very hard to build momentum with start and stop on these things.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/may/14/downtown-vision-incs-sip-stroll-event-to-go-on-summer-break/

They've done this the past 2 years as well. Severe weather + extreme heat made it difficult to continue in the summer months and turnout wasn't always great so they decided to focus on fall, winter, and spring when the weather is more cooperative

I feel like some of the design firms that have created our public spaces still think of shade as secondary or optional. Shade is pretty much *required* for any outdoor public space to be easily used 33% of the year.

I feel like that number is creeping up to 40%

I was understating it, lol.

[fsu813]

Good news for a big one:

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2026/05/19/pearl-square-update-may-2026.html

Demo expected on the Gateway Jax Publix site next month.

Timely follow through is the antidote to pessimism and cynicism. Bravo.

[Jankelope]

it is kind of crazy to me because Gateway, although probably really great at what they do...is just what a normal developer should be doing.

When a developer ACTUALLY wants to build something in order to make money, they move heaven and earth to make it happen on time, or even ahead of schedule. And we have such a shortage of that kind of developer.

I am so grateful for their "get up and go" which has "got up and went" for many of our other developers.

[Skybox111]

So i was right gateway jax wants to start construction of riverfront tower at end of 2027 when maybe by time when phase 2 finishes and is talking with three hotel groups seeking to be tenants and he said demo of auditorium will start in june when he said back then that demo would start in april or may now pushed to june and that they are still discussing a incentive for it so it sounds like construction maybe end of this year to next year. N8 tower still looked like it hasn't done anything and struggling with it so related group is the clear winner of starting construction of a high rise. So all three of those buildings won't be done till 2029 to maybe 2030.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

^ I've been tracking the permit. It's not quite yet approved. Interesting that they'll be shovels in the ground. 
So let the race begin? Though I'm betting on Related tu finish first. Experienced in high rise in major markets, more prominent location. Both designs are mediocre, but better than nothing.

Would be interested to see if Related knock out both simultaneously of in a phased approach. Podium structure first to get leasing going then tower while podium is halfway or topped. Considering what GWJ has done, topping takes 5-8 months?

Related Permit Status

[Jankelope]

2029-2030 is the really exciting moment when you have new towers, new attractions, the Riverfront Parks done, food halls, riverfront dining, New Stadium, Four Seasons, Laura Street Trio (maybe), Gateway Jax all kicking.

[Skybox111]

^
^ yep can't wait for that topping out moment with related and seeing more cranes at a high point in the sky.

^ will be a great moment in time for us. Just imagine if we had all of the projects under construction in this year or next year 22 story tower, publix and tower, riverfront plaza tower, related tower, culinary hotel, baptist hotel, fleet landing tower or towers, and if balanky had bought dcps site and also started building twin towers there we would see 9 to 10 good height cranes.

[Jones518]

Yes, I am also excited to see our skyline change for once!


This is a great time to be in downtown Jax!

[acme54321]

If the starts align we may have four residential towers going up at once downtown (Related, Fleet Landing, Gateway N8 and Publix).  That would be something.

[thelakelander]

^If that happens, we'd begin to look a little more like Florida's other major downtown right now.