Former New York Jets wide receiver Laveranues Coles Jr. wants to turn the three-story East Bay Street building he recently bought into a restaurant that he calls "Levels" on his Facebook page.
Coles posted Nov. 3 that "Levels coming soon!" and describes it as an "upscale and grown venue."
The building comprises two floors and a basement.
JAA Architecture of Jacksonville is working on the project. "JAA Architecture is proud to announce that we are collaborating with Laveranues Coles, former New York Jets player, on a new restaurant in Jacksonville, FL," the company posted Sept. 27 on its jaaarchitecture.com blog.
JAA posted that the restaurant will be Downtown near the "current restaurant/bar scene on East Bay Street."
"This multi-level restaurant will be a must visit in Jacksonville, and a major boost to the downtown vision," posted JAA.
The Daily Record reported Oct. 29 that Coles bought the almost 110-year-old building at 323-325 E. Bay St., which is across from the old Duval County Courthouse. Coles acknowledged the purchase but hasn't been available to discuss details.
Coles, through Past Trouble LLC, bought the building for $750,000 from 325 East Bay Street LLC, whose manager is Insetta Family Properties LLC. Insetta Family Properties issued a $640,000 mortgage the day of the purchase to Past Trouble, records show.
The vacant 16,068-square-foot building was developed in 1904. Its use is commercial, residential and office and its heated area is 10,677 square feet.
The loopnet.com real estate website says the building was constructed in 1904 and completely renovated in 1982, adding that the improvements included elevator, electrical, plumbing and some structural work.
It says the building has a 5,000-square-foot basement that is air-conditioned and is serviced by the elevator.
Coles, 35, lives in St. Johns County. He is a Jacksonville native and played football at Ribault High School and then Florida State University before spending 11 seasons with the NFL. Coles played with the New York Jets, the Washington Redskins and the Cincinnati Bengals, ending his career with the Jets in 2010.
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