New renderings released for former Berkman II property

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville residents said ‘Bye Bye Berkman II’ on Sunday as they watched the high-rise that’s sat empty since 2007 tumble all the way down for good.

Action News Jax brought you complete team coverage from every angle.

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Now, renderings have been released for what could be constructed at 500 E. Bay Street.

Pb Riverfront Revitalization of Jacksonville owns the plot of land, and they work closely with their parent company -- Jacksonville Riverfront Revitalization -- where managing member Park Beeler works.

Action News Jax’s Kennedy Dendy spoke to Beeler on Monday.

“We took a look at basically the same business model incorporated into a more modern design to really create an iconic building,” Beeler said. “One that people would see and say oh that’s Jacksonville.”

Project leaders say they’re aiming for a contemporary look to enhance the riverfront.

Beeler said the concept would cost more than $170 million dollars and includes a skyscraper 42 stories high with apartments, luxury townhomes, retail, a rooftop restaurant and possibly a hotel.

Parking would all be self-contained, with a garage underneath the building.

Beeler explained how the demand for a project like this is high, with the current population growth happening around Jacksonville.

“We have designed this project to basically reach all age groups -- from empty nesters and retirees -- to millennials -- with retail and commercial activity all the way around the building on the ground level,” Beeler said.

But what about the several plots of green space that many are still begging to see utilized?

Beeler shared some of the opportunities for the surrounding area.

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“There’s a lot of emphasis on new park space,” Beeler said. “We think that the desire for additional park space on the river can be accommodated. There’s the problem of contamination of the shipyard’s property that has to be addressed. We have some plans ourselves to help eliminate that contamination. So as we go forward, we will see what happens.”

He hopes this project will attract more global developers interested in coming to downtown Jacksonville -- to enhance the riverfront.

Mary Hamburg frequents downtown Jacksonville.

“There are so many family-friendly places around here now,” Hamburg said. “I love taking my kids, and I just hope they continue making improvements.”

The vision will be taken to the Downtown Development Review Board, in about 30 to 45 days.

Beeler said there will be 18 to 24 months of construction time once construction begins, and the permitting process will most likely be at least six months.

In the meantime, project leaders are still fine-tuning plans for the future building and the area around it.

“We’re all very happy to build the old shell structures,” Beeler said. “It was an iconic eyesore. We hope to replace it with an iconic, pleasurable and very visionary structure here.”

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