24 minute read
Downtown Developments
Downtown Developments Downtown Developments
by Morgan Cole
With the recent influx of housing developments, new businesses and revitalization projects occurring throughout the downtown area, it’s evident that Pensacola is becoming an increasingly popular and desirable place to live.
From luxury condos boasting private rooftop terraces and newly-constructed single-family homes in the Tanyard District to the historic Bruce Beach revitalization project and a new community skatepark, the economy and housing market in downtown Pensacola are thriving. For this Issue of NW Florida's Business Climate Magazine, we have brought you details on the latest residential developments that have broken ground this year, as well as updates on some of the on-going and future development projects happening across the city.
Lilly Hall
Construction Nearly Complete on Downtown’s Newest Lodging House
Anticipation has been building since spring for the opening of downtown Pensacola’s newest lodging house and speakeasy-style bar, Lily Hall. With its grand opening day just a month away, developers have been busy bringing the renderings of the building to life. Lily Hall, positioned in Pensacola’s Old East Hill neighborhood at 415 N. Alcaniz Street, will offer guests 15 boutique suites to choose from, a breezy garden sitting area, a library parlor, a Spanish-inspired restaurant and main bar and an intimate, Prohibition-era speakeasy, among several other unique hangout areas. Lily Hall is geared toward giving guests that one-of-a-kind stay, encouraging guests to “choose their own adventure” and giving back the control to guests of how they would like to spend their time. Nashville development partners from Stahlman Hospitality paid close attention to trends on the rise in the lodging industry when in the blueprint stages for Lily Hall, such as guests wanting a more “hands-off” experience when checking into a hotel. They wanted freedom to show up when they wanted and know exactly what they were getting when they arrived. The lure of the lodging house is to transport guests into a whimsical world of wonder, with nooks and crannies hidden throughout the 10,560-square-foot lodging house for guests to explore. Think secret passageways, leather-bound books, authentic Old Fashioned cocktails, candlelight and fictionalized letters from dead authors. Lily Hall rooms will be operated under a virtual concierge system, Mabee said, that allows guests to check in at their leisure and explore where they want in the lodging house, while still being able to contact someone for help at any given time. Other rising trends in the hotel industry, such as lobbies being designed as social hubs, unique dining experiences, paperless checkins and digital room selections, all were incorporated into the Lily Hall model. The Pensacola landmark dates back to 1928, where it was built to function as a congregation hall for the Old Mount Olive Baptist Church. With a place on Pensacola’s “Seven to Save” list of endangered buildings, the spacious and airy place of fellowship needed major revitalization to have a chance at second life. The building has been vacant since 2004 after being damaged by Hurricane Ivan, deeming the space uninhabitable. Terry Raley is leading the food and beverage offerings at the Lily House, giving each hub a unique brand and identity that merges Pensacola’s past with the present. As guests meander through the halls of the lodging house, they will pick up aromas custom-made for Lily Hall and be serenaded by a handpicked Lily Hall playlist with hypnotic tunes like “This Must Be the Place” by the Talking Heads. Guests can spin records from the library on their room’s record player or assemble a custom Lily Hall cocktail designed for the guest rooms. The finishing touches throughout the lodging hall are intended to give guests a specific sense of “place”. One potential complaint Weinberg did address is the lack of parking in the residential area that surrounds Lily Hall, with only 12 parking spaces exclusive to the lodging house. However, he said, the team has already found creative solutions, such as using valet parking in partnership with owners of nearby lots.
Brother Fox and Sister Hen
The hall’s main restaurant, Brother Fox, will be Spanish-inspired, a nod to the original Spanish settlers of Pensacola. The restaurant’s name, however, comes from a former pastor of the original church. Some of the main dishes will include a sharable carne asada, along with woodfired seafood, premium vegetables and several varieties of tartare. Drinks on the main bar’s menu will be based on light, refreshing, citrus-based beverages. Raley said each restaurant has involved an open fire pit, and Brother Fox will be no different. Attached to the restaurant will be a smaller speakeasy, fitting only about two dozen people lined across the bar. Meant to be a counterpart to the restaurant, Sister Hen, abbreviated with the acronym “sh” implying a secret, will allow priority seating for patrons of the restaurant to skip the line to enter the bar through a passageway inside. Those not eating at Brother Fox but who want to get a drink can enter a line from the outside. Raley said the concept for Sister Hen alludes to the finer hospitality of the bar scene in the 1920s to 1940s era, some of which has since been lost in the modern-day bar scene. He said the prohibition theme will be less of a gimmick and more of a way of life, such as bringing back dress code and house rules in the bar. The speakeasy will follow a similar design to Holland House, a Nashville speakeasy that Raley also designed in the early 2000s, but that has since closed. The restaurant was praised by the Nashville Scene for its laid back atmosphere and more than 50 classic and contemporary cocktails, such as a rye Manhattan with house-made maraschino cherries and a Village Reserve bourbon infused with back and Olive & Sinclair chocolate, according to the Nashville Scene. Bartenders will be dressed up for the occasion, with a focus on tending to guests, crafting drinks with the utmost care, Raley said. The room will be composed primarily of dark walnut tones and the lighting will be primarily generated by candlelight to provide the “genuine, old-school” experience that people associate with the prohibition era. The bar will cater to what Raley refers to as the canon of cocktails, along with specialty drinks that match the classic vibe. The seating for the small bar will start out on a first-come, first-serve basis, with potential for an online waitlist system to be added on. The restaurant manager has been hired for Lily Hall’s restaurant, Brother Fox, and will soon start to fill about 30 open positions for servers, kitchen staff and other roles. More updates can be found on the Lily Hall Facebook page.
East Garden District
Vision for $40 Million Downtown Redevelopment Project Coming to Life
With the completion of the City's Jefferson Street Revitalization project, the vision for downtown’s more than $40 million East Garden District redevelopment project is now coming to life. The East Garden District development aims to make the one block area of East Garden, East Jefferson and Chase streets into a downtown Pensacola destination complete with bars, restaurants, and mixed-use spaces. In late April, the old Reynalds Music House building on Garden Street was demolished as part of the East Garden District development. A new building will go up in its place inspired by the beloved music shop that will be the new location of the Union Public House restaurant. The building was approved for renovation to become Union Public House’s new restaurant location, but after significant damage in Hurricane Sally, the developers gained approval to tear it down and start again. The development team recently announced the East Garden District would soon be home to a 144-room Hilton Tapestry boutique hotel. The hotel will have a bar and restaurant on the first floor, event space, as well as a rooftop bar and deck. East Garden District developers also confirmed that they are also working on two additional mixed-use buildings which would house a mix of restaurants, light retail and gallery spaces on the first floors. Adjoining that will be a 250-space parking deck that will have a shared parking model for the businesses surrounding it and the potential for a public pay-to-park model outside of regular business hours. Tosh Belsinger, with the East Garden District development group, said he expects construction on the new Union Public House restaurant to begin within the coming months. The entire East Garden District development project, including the new hotel, is anticipated to be complete by late 2023.
Developers Break Ground on Private Waterfront Community in Sanders Beach
Developers have broken ground to make way for a new private waterfront community with high-end amenities in Sanders Beach called Amanacer. The gated upscale community will be home to seven different waterfront homes, three waterfront townhomes and four detached single-family homes. Amanacer residents will also enjoy a variety of amenities like a waterfront community pool with an oversized sun deck and dock with the option to purchase boat slips. The 2,400-square-foot residential, detached single-family homes feature 4 bedrooms and three full baths and start at $840,000. The 2,200-square-foot inland townhomes are listed with a starting price of $1.1 million, with the 2,500-square-foot waterfront townhomes starting at $1.6 million. Both the inland and waterfront townhome units feature four bedrooms and three full baths. All residences will offer modern, open floor plans with ample natural light and come equipped with energy efficient tankless gas water heaters, Energy-rated HVACs and appliances and all windows are hurricane-rated. Buyers are also offered an allowance to choose the finishes and appliances, allowing them to customize the interiors of their homes. Amanacer is scheduled to be completed by early 2023 and there are currently four units remaining. For complete property details, contact Realtor, Jimmy O’Donovan with Kuhn Realty or visit amanacerpensacola.com.
Developers Focus on 54 Condo Units and Abandon Ideas of Retail Space
The Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency and the Hawkshaw Development Group are back in negotiations to reduce the project to a 54-unit condo development with no retail or commercial space. The City Council, sitting as the CRA, voted 4-2 to reopen negotiations on a deed covenant that serves as the development agreement for the property. It will be the sixth time the agreement has been changed since CRA agreed to sell the property to developer Robert Montgomery in 2018 for $1.6 million. Developers missed a deadline to file construction permits under the agreement in May and had to pay a penalty fee of $100,000 to the CRA. Earlier this year, Brian Spencer, who joined the development group in 2019, said developers were looking to go back to a mixed-use concept with approximately 80 condo units and possibly a retail space. However, at the last meeting, Spencer said the downtown commercial and retail property market had become oversaturated. The latest proposal now calls for a 54-unit condominium development with three buildings covering 172,651 square feet. Although there is no retail option, there is 9,000 square feet of space dedicated to other types of residential amenities like a gym, rooftop terrace and bike, kayak or paddleboard storage. Councilwoman Sherri Myers said she felt the new design goes back to the original concept the CRA had in mind when it first approved the project in 2017. However, the 2017 proposal only consisted of 39 condo units and 102,417 feet. Spencer also reported that the development will generate more than $170,000 a year in tax revenue which would go directly to the CRA. Other council members disagreed and expressed their frustration with the entire project. Councilwoman Teniadé Broughton, who is CRA president, said Myers was the only council member still on the board who approved the original project. Broughton said she believes that the revised plans for the development do not take into account the site’s history as part of what was once a predominantly Black neighborhood. Broughton also said she had taken comfort in the fact there was a chance for retail space to come back into the project so all members of the public would be able to get use out of the site, but without that aspect, she could no longer support it. Councilman Delarian Wiggins and Broughton voted against reopening negotiations. The City said they would begin negotiations with the development group and bring back an updated agreement by as soon as October. For updates, visit cityofpensacola.com
Terraces at Tarragona
Construction to Begin on Six Luxury Townhomes
Located in the highly desirable Seville Warehouse District, the townhome development will consist of six high-end villas with private rooftop living areas. Developer David Richbourg, project manager J.J. Zielinski and architect Scott Campbell drew design inspiration from Miami and Chicago while also embracing the warehouse-style of the Seville Historic District. Terraces at Tarragona features sustainable architecture and technology with environmentally friendly ICF construction, impact-rated glass, underground utilities and a discrete generator, which will be located in the courtyard of each unit. Each of the 3,300-squarefoot, 4-bedroom and 3.5bath townhomes will feature high-end finishes, a third-level great room boasting 13-foot ceilings with built-in-bookshelves, a full wet bar, wine cooler and stately gas fireplace. Kitchens will come equipped with premium appliances and feature an attractive galley-style layout with large waterfall quartz countertops and open concept dining area. In addition to ample indoor entertaining space, each townhome unit will include its own private ground-level courtyard and 1,439-squarefoot rooftop terrace featuring a covered outdoor kitchen with walk-in pantry, double sinks, a refrigerator and gas cooktop stove and with a separate bar-style entertainment area. The ground level of each unit has been designed to serve as a self-contained suite with a separate kitchenette and full bath, ready for utilization as a private guest suite, professional office or direct income generation for private long term or short term rental revenue. The designs were unanimously approved by the City’s Architectural Review Board in April 2021 and are now undergoing structural engineering plans. The townhomes are expected to start at around $1.8 million and are anticipated to be completed in 2023.
New Set of Townhomes on Spring Street Nearing Completion
A new townhome development is almost complete in downtown Pensacola. One Spring, located at the corner of Spring and Intendencia streets, will have 14 townhomes, each with private rooftop terraces that overlook downtown Pensacola. The One Spring development will offer six three-bedroom units and eight two-bedroom units. Ten of the units have street-facing balconies, and the rooftop terraces will include gardens. Ron Ladner and his business partner Rimmer Covington are heading up the development project. In August, Ladner confirmed that 11 of the units were already under sales contracts. Ladner and Covington are joint owners of Shaggy's Restaurants, which has six locations including Pensacola Beach. Ladner said that it was important for him and his business partner to develop a project downtown featuring luxury amenities and features that you don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy. They worked hard to keep the price point as competitive as possible, with units ranging from the mid-$500,000 to $600,000. The entire project is expected to be complete with units ready for move-in by the end of October.
Palmilla
Construction Underway on 240-Unit Luxury Apartment Complex Downtown
A new set of luxury apartments are currently under construction at 51 S. Coyle Street called Palmilla. The 240-unit complex will consist of four residential buildings with a two story parking deck. Each of the residential buildings will be four stories with studio, one-, two- and three bedroom apartments and townhomes available for rent. Each of the available floor plans feature open layouts with trendy accents, 9-foot ceilings and hardwood-style flooring. Apartment and Townhomes have chef-inspired kitchens with custom cabinets and high-end quartz countertops. All residences are also equipped with a full-size washer and dryer and have expansive walk-in closets. Palmilla will also offer a variety of upscale amenities, such as a 24-hour fitness center and yoga studio with Echelon bikes, a resort-style saltwater pool with tanning deck and a putting green on the property. Other amenities include a resident lounge with cafe bar, an outdoor kitchen area with gas grills, valet trash service and more. Developers broke ground in October 2021 and according to Kore, LLC partner Patrick Jackson, the complex is expected to be complete by mid-2023. Current rental prices range from $1,703 to $3,288 permonth depending on floor plan selection and optional upgrades. The Palmilla is now accepting online rental applications for its studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
New Homes in Historic Tanyard District Now Complete
Located in the historic Tanyard Neighborhood of downtown Pensacola—where the Bartel’s Family Restaurant and Winery provided a lively atmosphere beginning in the 1930s—The Block at Bartels preserves and brings to life Pensacola’s history and heritage in one of downtown’s newest neighborhoods. Developed by aDoor Properties, The Blocks at Bartel consists of 18 two-story single-family homes with both 3- and 4-bedroom floor plans ranging from 1,674 to 1,903-square-feet. There are six different floor plans to choose from with a variety of layouts and optional upgrades. Each home features Americana themes and color palettes. Additional amenities such as garage apartments, covered patios, porches, balconies, courtyards and breezeways are also available with select floor plans. Each of the classically-designed Craftsman-style homes features modern amenities like custom cabinets, luxury vinyl plank flooring, quartz countertops and a full stainless steel appliance package. The Blocks at Bartel is now complete and homes are listed on the market with an average starting price of $542,000. The model home is available for viewing during the open house events, which are held Thursday through Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm at 110 South I Street in downtown Pensacola.
The Waverly
54-Unit Luxury Condominium Complex Coming to Spring Street
Construction for the 54-unit luxury condominium complex, The Waverly, is set to commence this fall. Located at 97 S. Spring Street in downtown Pensacola, the seven-story building will feature luxe 2- and 3-bedroom condominiums with elevated resort-style amenities. Each unit will feature 10-foot high-rise ceilings, panoramic living room views with marble bathroom backsplashes in the two- and three-bedroom units. Residences also come equipped with motorized roller shades, hurricane-proof windows and Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances in the kitchens. Upscale amenities will include a rooftop pool, pet park and clubroom. The Waverly is planned to be the first phase of a larger vision that will eventually include a grocery store and parking garage with reserved spaces for Waverly residents. The property will feature a club-quality fitness center and expansive courtyard area. Residents will also enjoy easy access entry and dedicated parking. The Waverly will also have an in-house concierge service to assist residents with their needs, including laundry, grocery and maintenance services. Development of The Waverly has been several years in the making and not without pushback from the community. The former site was that of a World War II-era vocation school and the local USO. One of the buildings on the property was also the Escambia County School District headquarters, which was named after Dr. Vernon McDaniel, the first Black School Board president. The building was eventually approved for demolition. Bearing Point Properties, a real estate development company out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana will be heading the project. Once construction begins, the project is anticipated to take somewhere from 18 to 24 to complete. Units at The Waverly start in the $900,000 range and go up in price according to size. For project details, visit waverlypensacola.com.
City Breaks Ground on Bruce Beach Revitalization Project
A Catalyst for Connecting and Activating Pensacola’s Waterfront
The City of Pensacola celebrated the start of construction on the Bruce Beach Revitalization Project at a groundbreaking event held July 26. This project will serve as a catalyst for connecting and activating Pensacola’s waterfront. Bruce Beach is one of several locations along the Continuous Waterfront Trail envisioned in the Urban Core Community Redevelopment Plan, as further conceptualized in the Pensacola Waterfront Framework Plan.
Improvements through Phase I of the project include a restored beachfront and shoreline area with scenic views, trails, history exhibits, a learning garden and picnic area. Phase I will also add a pedestrian bridge to Community Maritime Park, a plaza to promote the site’s history, a lawn/play area, shade structures, and lush landscaping for the community to enjoy. The project plans have accounted for protection of protected trees along with wetland areas at Bruce Beach.
The Bruce Beach Revitalization Project aims to create a new recreational and educational destination as part of a more connected public realm along the city’s waterfront. The project was designed by the planning and engineering firm HDR, with consistency review from SCAPE and input from the public. The City of Pensacola awarded a contract to Biggs Construction Inc. for construction of Phase I the Bruce Beach Revitalization Project, which will be managed by the city’s Public Works and Facilities Engineering Division. Bruce Beach will be closed to the public beginning Wednesday, July 27 for the duration of the project. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2023, weather permitting. For more information about the Bruce Beach Revitalization Project, visit cityofpensacola.com.
Highly-Anticipated Downtown Skatepark Becomes a Reality
The City of Pensacola celebrated the start of construction on the Blake Doyle Skatepark at Hollice T. Williams Park with a groundbreaking event August 2, kicking off a highly anticipated project for the Pensacola skate community. The groundbreaking event was held at the future skatepark location at Hollice T. Williams Park, under Interstate 110 along North Hayne Street between Jackson and La Rua streets. The Pensacola community joined Mayor Grover Robinsons, the City of Pensacola and Upward Intuition to celebrate this exciting project, which will include approximately 25,000 square feet of skateable surface area for skaters of all ages and skill levels. The skatepark will feature a beginner area, multi-level skate plaza and two skate bowls, along with an additional 5,700 square feet of surrounding sidewalk and gathering areas. Additional improvements through the project will include stadium seating, sidewalks, concrete gathering areas and artificial turf areas, benches, multi-colored concrete, trash cans and a small stage area. Construction of the Blake Doyle Skatepark is anticipated to be complete by summer 2023, weather permitting. The City of Pensacola awarded the construction contract for the skatepark to Bear Construction and the skatepark will be managed by the City’s Public Works Department. The project was funded by the City of Pensacola’s Local Option Sales Tax, Community Redevelopment Agency, private donors and the American Rescue Plan Act. The project design was funded by an Escambia County RESTORE Direct Component Grant. HDR Engineering and Kimley-Horn were selected to perform the design of the overall park and the skatepark with the assistance of American Ramp Company. The skatepark is part of the overall transformation of Hollice T. Williams Park through a joint project with the City of Pensacola and Escambia County, which will ultimately create a place for community members of all ages to connect and enjoy activities in the heart of the city.
DIB and City of Pensacola to Build Public Restrooms
Financing in Place for Construction of Public Restrooms
Financing is in place and design plans are underway for the construction of two public restrooms at the south and north end of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on North Palafox Street. The public facilities are a joint project of the City of Pensacola and the Downtown Improvement Board (DIB). The proposed MLK Plaza restrooms will be maintained by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. The estimated cost for the construction of both restroom facilities is $500,000, with half of the cost being funded by the City and remainder, under a three-year financing deal backed by revenue from the Palafox Market vendors. DIB Chairman Michael Carro says construction should be underway by early 2023. Carro said that the restrooms are designed to be easily maintained and cleaned. The exterior of the two restroom facilities will also be aesthetically pleasing and blend into the overall architectural look of the downtown district.
Transforming Baptist
Baptist Unveils Redevelopment Vision for Moreno Street Campus
Planning is well underway as Baptist Healthcare looks to find another use for its facility on Moreno Street once the new hospital campus opens in less than one year. According to Baptist Health Care vice president Brett Aldridge, planning for the old hospital campus began back when plans were being made for a new facility. Aldridge also explained that the plan for the existing campus was made in June 2019 — and continues to run concurrently with construction of the new hospital at Brent Lane and Interstate 110. A community advisory council of more than 70 people from various industry sectors and walks of life helped the Baptist administration develop the plan. The hospital's redevelopment plan centers on the creation of new housing opportunities for both renters and home buyers. The hospital wants to find developers willing to build rentable midrise, multi-family homes. According to Jennifer Grove, Baptist Hospital's vice president of external relations, within just nine acres of the old campus' 51-acre space, there is the potential to build three entire buildings of mixed-income housing or workforce housing. Baptist Hospital plans to sell its old campus to developers who will commit to building mixeduse developments of multi- and single-family homes as well as spaces for restaurants, retailers and social services. The plan also calls for the city to reopen old streets that were closed when the hospital was built in the 1950s, and create a new 2.5-acre city park that will center around the historic Kupfrian Home. With a total of 51 acres, there are myriad options, and a number of contractors around the nation with experience in large-scale campuses that have been consulted. Overall, there could be up to or over 500 units of such housing included within a final redevelopment plan. While there’s a hard deadline for completion of the new Baptist Hospital for the fall of 2023, a timeline has yet to be developed for renovating the old campus. Shovels won’t go into the ground until after the new campus opens. At this point, the cost of renovation is not known. Baptist administration says that they will send out a request for proposals from developers willing and able to work with Baptist’s vision.
Work Underway for New 57-Acre Campus to Open Next Fall
Work on the interior finishes in the new Baptist Hospital and the Bear Family Foundation Health Center is fully underway. Paint, tile, vinyl flooring and cabinets are bringing the buildings to life for when the doors open at the new Brent Lane campus location in the fall of 2023. Painting is already underway in the main hospital building, with some floors already having the cabinetry and tile installed. Work on the hospital’s Bear Family Foundation Health Center is also well underway, with the drywall installation complete on multiple floors. Crews have also begun installing cabinetry, tile and plumbing fixtures in the new health center building. Construction has also begun on the new Behavioral Health Unit, which will also be part of the new campus. The building pad is now complete and a majority of the site utilities have already been installed, with site preparation for foundation work ongoing. The concrete sidewalks in the town square are also complete. The installation of decorative colored concrete sidewalks is ongoing and crews are now installing light poles across the campus. Workforce and Economic Impact • More than 800 workers are on site on any given day. • $16.7 million has been paid in construction wages to the local economy since January 2021 • More than half of the workforce is local or minority • Efforts to recruit more local and minority workers continue
Keep up with the progress of the new campus project and check out videos and photos of the construction site at ebaptisthealthcare.org
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