Preleasing to begin soon; first residences will deliver late summer 2026
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –– March 3, 2026 –– Gateway Jax today unveiled Vandeveer –– the first residential building in Pearl Square –– marking the return of Downtown living at scale in Jacksonville’s urban core. Located at 515 North Pearl Street, Vandeveer is the first opportunity to live in the emerging nine-block neighborhood and the definitive start of residential life, dining, and new parks and public spaces at Pearl Square. Preleasing will begin soon, with the first residences expected to deliver in late summer 2026.
Vandeveer will feature 205 meticulously designed apartments above 22,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, including a unique chef-driven Japanese restaurant concept from acclaimed restaurateur Steve Palmer of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group.
The new restaurant will bring modern Japanese cuisine and a refined-yet-approachable dining experience to Downtown. The menu is expected to highlight local ingredients and fresh seafood with wood-fired offerings off the robata grill, as well as sushi, sashimi and other Japanese-inspired dishes. The cuisine will be complemented by a carefully curated beverage menu that includes cocktails, wine, sake and zero proof offerings. The Indigo Road Hospitality Group currently operates O-Ku at Jacksonville Beach as well as multiple award-winning concepts across the Southeast, including the coming soon Oak Steakhouse in Downtown Jacksonville.
“We are excited to celebrate Japanese cuisine with our new restaurant at Pearl Square as we join with Gateway Jax to shape the character of this new neighborhood,” said Steve Palmer, founder and chief creative officer of The Indigo Road Hospitality Group. “Our goal is always to create restaurants that are rooted in their surroundings –– a place where neighbors gather and guests connect over a shared love for food.”
The name Vandeveer honors Thomas Vandeveer Porter, whose historic Porter House Mansion — designed by Henry Klutho and built in 1902 following the Great Fire — stands as the centerpiece of new parks and public spaces that anchor the neighborhood. Positioned along Klutho’s Alley and adjacent to Porter House Lawn and Garden, Vandeveer is directly integrated into the neighborhood’s walkable public realm.
“Vandeveer is where the vision for Pearl Square becomes tangible,” said Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax. “With thoughtfully designed residences, an anchor restaurant, and its prime location directly across from public parks, Vandeveer sets the tone for the vibrant, walkable neighborhood we are building in the heart of Jacksonville.”
Designed by SK+I and Edit at Streetsense, Vandeveer blends contemporary and contextual detailing that complements Downtown’s character. Jacksonville-based FaverGray is the general contractor, with civil engineering provided by England-Thims & Miller (ETM). Retail leasing is led by Colliers’ Urban Division, and the surrounding new parks are designed by Hoerr Schaudt. DLP Capital and JWB's Downtown Fund (DTJ Fund) are the primary investors in Vandeveer.
Apartment offerings at Vandeveer include studio, junior one-bedroom, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units with amenities such as a club room with coworking spaces, an outdoor terrace with pool, grills, and seating, a modern gym, and pet spa.
For more information and to join the Vandeveer waitlist, visit vandeveerjax.com.
To stay up to date on Pearl Square’s growth, visit pearlsquare.com.
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About Gateway Jax
Gateway Jax is a Jacksonville-based investment and development firm. Founded in 2022, its leadership brings decades of experience in urban real estate development across North America, focusing on developing dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant projects in walkable, mixed-use environments.
Gateway Jax is committed to working in collaboration with residents and communities to build future-forward ways of working, living and playing. Learn more at gatewayjax.com.