Jacksonville an d NORTHEAST FLORIDA
The coming transformation starts with a journey through downtown Jacksonville on
the St. Johns River, one of many waterways that stamp the region. Two massive projects
on both sides of the river are altering the landscape.
The Shipyards
A quarter-century after the downtown
ship building and repair
facility closed, the 70-acre property
along the river is coming back to life.
The mixed-use development that
includes a hotel, residences, offices,
restaurants and retail establishments
will entail more than $500 million in
private investment.
The property is close to EverBank
Field, home of the Jacksonville
Jaguars, which is no coincidence
because developer Iguana Investments
is backed by Jaguars owner
Shad Khan.
Already in 2017, the Jaguars
opened the 5,500-seat Daily’s Place
amphitheater adjacent to the football
stadium. Khan and the Jaguars
management see development of
the area near the downtown sports
The District
Across from the shipyards on the
Southbank of the St. Johns River,
another new community is sprouting
up.
The District will include a hotel
along with shops and restaurants.
But the real appeal of the new
community is its healthy living
concept. The project will include
bike paths and fitness centers to
promote daily fitness for residents of
all ages.
Developer Peter Rummell says
The District will appeal to residents
from 30 to 80 who embrace the
healthy lifestyle.
“That’s what makes it different
and special,” he says.
2 JACKSONVILLE AND NORTHEAST FLORIDA SPONSORED SECTION
Rummell is known for creating
new communities. As chairman
of Walt Disney Imagineering in
the 1990s, he began development
of Celebration, a 20,000-resident
planned community near Walt
Disney World.
A decade later as CEO of The
St. Joe Co., he began developing
thousands of acres
of land in the Florida
Panhandle, including the
499-acre community of
WaterColor on the Gulf of
Mexico.
Rummell says the
waterfront location of
The District will make it
appealing. “You don’t get
30 acres on a big amenity
like that very often.”
complex as a key to the team’s
long-term success.
Jaguars President Mark Lamping
sees the football team continuing
to grow in stature and fan support
as Jacksonville continues to grow.
He expects the Shipyards project
to be a catalyst for growth of both.
“As far as the franchise goes,
we’re only going to go as far as
downtown Jacksonville goes,”
Lamping says.
The Shipyards: View to downtown
The Distrct: Aerial waterfront rendering