The Bentley luxury car brand is on the way to Southside, off Interstate 95 and Butler Boulevard.
The city issued a permit Wednesday for AutoBuilders General Contracting Services to build the Bentley/Maserati Alfa Romeo dealership at a construction cost of almost $11 million.
The 40,987-square-foot dealership, with almost 7,800 square feet of exterior space, comprises showrooms and service facilities at 7137 Bonneval Road.
Work has been underway. On June 20, the city approved the foundation permit.
Miami-based Brickell Motors and Miami Automotive Retail bought the property in February through MNAR-Real Estate Holdings LLC. MNAR paid $3.36 million for about 9 acres.
Mario Murgado, president and CEO of Miami-based Brickell Motors and Miami Automotive Retail Inc. said previously that Bentley will operate on one side of the dealership and Maserati and Alfa Romeo on the other.
Bentley is a luxury British car while Maserati and Alfa Romeo are Italian brands that are owned by FCA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Executives of the British automaker announced in June 2018 that they intend to open a Bentley dealership in 2019 along Bonneval Road to sell the “hyperluxury” brand, although that timeline appears to be extended into 2020.
Bentley prices start near $200,000. Car and Driver reports the flagship Continental GT starts at $220,000 and the Bentayga starts at $197,725. The Mulsanne Speed starts at $338,325.
Prices start about $80,000 for Maserati and under $40,000 for Alfa Romeo.
Murgado said previously he believes Jacksonville is a good market.
Several factors are at play, he said: Population moves from the Northeast; no state personal income tax; activity from the port; tourism; and the U.S. Navy presence.
“There is nothing but upside from what I see,” he said. “I’m betting big on Jacksonville.”
The 9-acre site includes lots for more development, such as a hotel, restaurant and retail uses.
A four-story, 122-room WoodSpring Suites extended-stay hotel is planned on 3.13 acres near Bentley.
