LA Fitness is considering a location in Regency Park, according to emails to and from Jacksonville regulatory agencies, and is a sign of more renewed interest in the Arlington area.
Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners in Orlando has been asking city and JEA representatives about impact or capacity fees for an LA Fitness in a vacant 40,000-square-foot space in Regency Park next to American Signature Furniture.
The location formerly housed Babies R Us, which relocated to St. Johns Town Center with the Regency-area Toys R Us. The Toys R Us site became a car dealership.
Emails circulated Wednesday, originated by Irene Eshak, a project manager with Cuhaci & Peterson, say the firm was asked to research the estimated impact fee for an LA Fitness tenant fit-out in an existing 40,000-square-foot commercial building that already has the utility services in place.
The address is 9400 Atlantic Blvd., and a site plan for Regency Park is attached with the “Proposed LA Fitness” indicated at the 40,150-square-foot space next to American Signature.
Regency Park also is anchored by Outback Steakhouse, Hobby Lobby, Books-A-Million, Bealls Outlet and David’s Bridal.
Eshak asked about the size of the existing sewer line servicing the building and whether there was an impact fee associated with the proposed tenant fit-out.
The fee information, if determined, was not available late Monday.
Eshak said in one of the emails that the LA Fitness proposed layout will not have the prototypical pool or spa.
Regency Park is represented by Brixmor Property Group. Representatives did not return phone calls Monday afternoon.
LA Fitness, based in Irvine, Calif., did not return an email for comment.
The chain operates five centers in the Jacksonville area, including one about 4 miles east of Regency Park in the Atlantic North shopping center at Kernan and Atlantic boulevards.
Two others are in the Lakewood area and Atlantic Beach and two are along Blanding Boulevard — one off Lake Gray Boulevard near Interstate 295 and the other in Orange Park at 661 Blanding Blvd.
The first two Duval County centers in Jacksonville were approved in a 40,000-square-foot former Publix Super Markets space in the University Shopping Center in Lakewood and as a new 45,000-square-foot location built in the Atlantic North center.
The first LA Fitness opened in 1984 in California. The chain now has 635 centers, according to LAFitness.com.
The Regency retail area, which has struggled with the loss of tenants to St. Johns Town Center and the Kernan-Hodges boulevards area, has been experiencing some signs of growth.
TGI Fridays plans a $300,000 renovation of its Regency Park restaurant, and the area could gain a Pollo Tropical at the
former Hess site next to Chick-fil-A.
Also, Regency Square Mall’s new owners are adding tenants.
T.J. Maxx responds
T.J. Maxx spokeswoman Brittany Welch said late Thursday the company has not made any announcements regarding the location along University Boulevard that the retailer is expected to lease.
The Daily Record reported Friday that T.J. Maxx and Bealls Outlet are expected to move into the University Shopping Center to fill the space vacated by Stein Mart.
Jim Simpson, vice president of real estate for Beall’s Outlet Stores Inc., said Thursday the store at Beauclerc Village was moving and expanding into the University Shopping Center at University Boulevard West and St. Augustine Road.
Simpson said Bealls Outlet was attracted to the center by anchor LA Fitness and the new T.J. Maxx that he said will move into about 24,000 square feet of space in the former Stein Mart.
Bealls Outlet will take the remaining 21,000 square feet of the Stein Mart space. Bealls Outlet will move from its 13,000-square-foot space at Beauclerc Village.
300-unit apartments planned in Southside
Mark Farrell, founder of Killashee Investments, announced Monday that Killashee has closed on the purchase of 15 acres along A.C. Skinner Parkway to develop The Lorée, a more than $30 million, 300-unit luxury apartment community.
He said The Lorée will consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments along with a clubhouse and amenities that include a resort-style swimming pool, fitness club, outdoor yoga lawn, pet care center, dog park, demonstration chef’s kitchen, air conditioned hallways and residents’ club and game rooms.
Farrell said he and Joseph Eckstein, representing AC Packer LLC, will be the developers.
Farrell said the group paid $5.4 million for the land from Southwest Quadrant Joint Venture.
Construction should start in the fourth quarter. Farrell said the first residences should open eight months after the start of construction and the total project would be completed in 18 months.
No contractor has been chosen yet. The project will comprise nine three-story buildings, six two-story carriage units and a clubhouse.
Rental rates will start at $1,100 for one-bedroom units, $1,200 for two-bedroom units and $1,600 for three-bedroom units.
Farrell said Lorée is a family name.
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