Future of Cities will break ground in the North Springfield neighborhood in December
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — December 11, 2023 — Phoenix Arts & Innovation District (PHX JAX), a Future of Cities project, announced today the start of the first phase of construction on two properties located at 2320 N. Liberty Street and 2336 N. Liberty Street. This work is funded through the closure of a $7 million loan from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which closed on December 6, 2023.
“The Phoenix Arts & Innovation District is an opportunity to co-create in partnership with the neighborhood of North Springfield a new vision for its future,” said Tony Cho, CEO and Founder of Future of Cities and Founding Managing Partner of PHX JAX. “We’ve learned through experience on other projects in Miami, that the input of artists, residents and the city at large is essential to success. We are excited to see how this dynamic regenerative placemaking development will serve as a destination designed to ignite creativity and community.”
Plans for PHX JAX comprise ten separate properties across 8.3 acres located in the North Springfield neighborhood of Jacksonville encompassing a total of 120,000 square feet of adaptively repurposed warehouse spaces and located in a designated opportunity zone. The first phase of the development will begin with The Emerald Station, featuring creative offices, community gathering spaces and a warehouse event facility, and The Liberty Building, which will house 17,850 square feet of affordable artist studios, galleries, small format retail and restaurants.
“For LISC Jacksonville, the PHX JAX project represents an opportunity for us to partner on what we believe is going to be a catalytic project for one of Jacksonville’s fastest growing and most diverse neighborhoods,” said Dr. Irvin PeDro Cohen, Executive Director of LISC Jacksonville. “The investment in the PHX JAX project will bring together residents and partners and help forge a resilient and inclusive community of opportunity that will be reflective of a great place to live, work, visit, do business, and raise families.”
Preliminary site work at PHX JAX began in spring of 2023. JAA Architecture and Hota Design have been selected as the architectural and design firms and Prosser Inc. will serve as civil engineer for the Emerald Station and Liberty Building. Avant Construction is the general contractor for the Emerald Station. Construction of the Emerald Station property will begin immediately, while The Liberty Building will begin in Q1 of 2024. Both buildings are scheduled to be turned over to tenants in Q3 of 2024.
“As the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District transitions into the next phase of building a center of intentional, creative community for all to enjoy, I am excited to see the increase in activity and the positive economic impact this adaptive reuse project will have on the Eastside and North Springfield neighborhoods,” said Jimmy Peluso, Jacksonville City Council Member representing District 7.
Complementing these buildings is a property located at 2335 Market St. that will be an outdoor market space serving as a hub of community activity. The project’s goal is to get this outdoor space open by Spring 2024.
Naked Kitchen is the first food and beverage concept to enter a leasehold agreement tenant in the project. Retail pre-leasing opportunities are available through The Urban Division of Colliers, managed by is continuing to pre-lease the remaining retail, gallery and food and beverage spaces under the management of Matthew Clark and supported by Olivia Steinemann and Sam Middlekauff.
PHX JAX will continue to host community events during redevelopment. These events provide an opportunity for attendees to learn more about plans for the site, share feedback with the project team and contribute ideas for future consideration. Members of the community can provide their input and inquire for more information about Co-Working, Artist Studios or Events opportunities please contact the project by emailing info@phxjax.com
Upcoming Phoenix Arts & Innovation District events include:
Holiday Food Distribution: Wednesday, December 13, 3 p.m.
PHX JAX will sponsor neighborhood residents with a food distribution through Feeding Northeast Florida. Food insecure households are invited to come pickup groceries at 2402 Market Street.
Holiday Creative Mixer: Thursday, December 14, 6 to 8 p.m.
Calling all creatives and artists! You’re invited to a Holiday Mixer at PHX Arts & Innovation District. Enjoy friendship, fun and festivities. Bring a piece of your art to participate in a festive white elephant art exchange game. Come toast to a fabulous year of art & community in PHX JAX!
To learn more about project plans and upcoming events, visit PHXJAX.com.
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About PHX JAX | The Phoenix Arts & Innovation District in Jacksonville, FL, is a regenerative placemaking project dedicated to building equity through community, arts, and culture, aiming to provide a global platform for artists and business incubation in Jacksonville's North Springfield neighborhood. Collaborating with artists, residents, cultural instigators, and change makers in Jacksonville, the initiative by the Future of Cities team focuses on creating a vibrant, diverse neighborhood. The non-profit arm of the project, Friends of Phoenix, is committed to fostering community engagement, enhancing educational opportunities and cultural experiences, by driving innovation. Aligning with the broader mission of the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District, Friends of Phoenix operates through four pillars: Arts and Culture, Sustainability, Technology, and Financial Stability. To learn more about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved, visit phxjax.com.
About Future of Cities | Future of Cities was created to reimagine how we live, work, play and learn. As a mission-driven consortium invested in transforming the built environment, we take a holistic place-based approach to regenerative development to adopt environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies that improve the quality of urban living across the globe