Gateway Jax, a Jacksonville-based business actual property improvement agency, right this moment introduced preliminary plans for the historic Ambassador Resort property at 420 North Julia Avenue. The corporate will restore the lodge to its unique glory, bringing upscale hospitality facilities to the Downtown Jacksonville panorama with the partnership of The Indigo Highway Hospitality Group (IRHG).
The Georgian Revival construction opened in Jacksonville in 1924, and was added to the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations in 1983. Gateway Jax plans to redevelop the long-lasting lodge right into a minimal of a 100-key idea with a high-end restaurant and bar, convention area and different facilities to draw each enterprise and leisure vacationers. The acquisition included an adjoining land parcel the place a 487-space parking storage shall be constructed to serve the lodge, neighborhood retail and adjoining buildings. A number of different parcels, together with the historic 404 North Julia Avenue constructing, had been additionally included within the transaction and shall be developed sooner or later.
Gateway Jax will associate with IRHG, a number one hospitality group that makes a speciality of restaurant and lodge ideas lauded by visitors and trade specialists alike. The corporate and its founder, Steve Palmer, are established operators with profitable ideas across the Southeast. Touting accolades from notable organizations, together with a number of honors from The James Beard Basis, recognition from Journey + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, The Washington Submit, The Wall Avenue Journal and The New York Occasions, Indigo Highway has a confirmed monitor report of excellence within the lodging and culinary industries.
“Now we have a singular alternative to proceed strengthening the material of Downtown with this essential, historic construction. The Ambassador Resort shall be one of many cornerstones of Pearl Sq., a world-class improvement,” stated Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax. “We actually imagine within the limitless potential inside the City Core of Jacksonville, and know that partnering with likeminded organizations with a mutual want to see Downtown proceed to thrive could make our goals into actuality. Indigo Highway brings a long time of expertise in bespoke hospitality ideas to our experience in city improvement. Collectively, we will redevelop this iconic piece of Jacksonville structure that can honor the town’s previous and contribute meaningfully to its very vivid future.”
Steve Palmer, IRHG founder and chief imaginative and prescient officer, has performed an lively function in bringing elevated hospitality ideas to Downtown revitalization efforts in main markets throughout the area. Amongst others, The Indigo Highway operates in markets together with Charlotte, Nashville, Atlanta and Raleigh –– all cities which have undergone main redevelopments of their respective metropolis facilities. The corporate at the moment owns and operates O-Ku in Jacksonville Seaside, and just lately introduced plans to open Oak Steakhouse within the historic Greenleaf Constructing in Downtown. Palmer and his group will present technical companies and information the event of a high-end restaurant and bar for the Ambassador Resort.
“We’re extremely excited in regards to the alternative in Downtown Jacksonville,” stated Palmer. “Within the subsequent two to a few years, this neighborhood will see a revitalization just like what has occurred in lots of different markets the place we function. We are able to’t wait to share our model of hospitality with much more of our mates and neighbors within the Downtown space by our partnership with Gateway Jax.”
The Ambassador Resort web site shall be built-in into Gateway Jax’s inaugural mission, Pearl Sq.. The eight-block, multi-use improvement may also embody 1,250 new residential models; roughly 200,000 sq. toes of grocery-anchored retail area; vibrant new public areas, together with widened and shaded sidewalks; lush public park areas; and a signature curbless pageant road with plentiful outside eating alternatives. The mission’s first constructing, situated at 515 Pearl Avenue, broke floor in October 2024 and is on monitor to ship in 2026. A number of different initiatives inside Pearl Sq. will start development in 2025.
Gateway Jax, sponsored by DLP Capital and JWB Actual Property Capital, manages a personal fairness fund centered solely on Downtown Jacksonville improvement. Pearl Sq., an unprecedented mixed-use improvement within the City Core, represents an estimated $2 billion capital funding over the following decade. Folding within the Ambassador Resort into the mission reinforces the corporate’s concentrate on reworking the town by which they stay, work and play.
“We’re excited to be a part of the revitalization of Downtown Jacksonville and these websites are a important element to this imaginative and prescient,” stated Don Wenner, CEO of DLP Capital. “All successes begin with folks and bringing further residents and lodge visitors to our metropolis whereas serving to to protect its architectural legacy is one thing that we’re extremely pleased with to assist drive ahead.”
For extra info on Gateway Jax and the Pearl Sq. mission, go to gatewayjax.com.