LionShare Cowork is taking shape in the former Retro Fitness at Harbour Village.
The city issued a permit Jan. 25 for First Coast Walls and Ceilings Inc. to build-out 17,018 square feet for the coworking space at 13475 Atlantic Blvd., No. 8, at a cost of $91,000.
LionShare Cowork owner Michael Januzzi said Nov. 13 he hoped to open Jan. 1, but also said COVID-19 delayed work.
Januzzi said Jan. 27 by email that it took almost a year "to get to where we are today."
He said the pandemic and the "worst hurricane season in the Gulf on record has made it a challenge to expand LionShare."
"Since we have had a ton of time to prepare as we waited for permits, all of our materials, furniture and décor are onsite. We hope to have a soft opening the last week in February for our current members, and begin offering new memberships March 1."
Januzzi said current clients will have the first opportunity at the new location. The website for prospective users is LionShare2020.com.
JAA Architecture is the architect.
Retro Fitness closed in May 2019.
Harbour Village is at Atlantic Boulevard and San Pablo Road, anchored by The Fresh Market. Stein Mart closed a store there in October.
Jacksonville-based LionShare says on its website that it will open the flagship location “designed with a ton of amenities including spacious conference, podcast and private zoom rooms, 30+ offices and a variety of dedicated and shared workspaces.”
It calls the space an option for freelancers and startups with flexible schedules on a budget.
It offers business addresses, hourly meeting rooms and packages that include workstations, offices, snacks and drinks.
Its first location is at 14333 Beach Blvd., Suite 33, in Pablo Station at Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road.
Januzzi said in a February announcement the 11,000-square-foot Pablo Station location, which opened in 2017, was doing well.