by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
When the Barnett Bank opened its headquarters at 50 N. Laura St. in 1990, not surprisingly the 42nd floor was reserved for the executive suite, board room and private dining room. That’s the way it works when it’s the top floor of the tallest building between Atlanta and Miami.
Originally named “Barnett Tower,” the name changed in 1997 when Barnett was acquired by NationsBank which soon merged with Bank of America. At that point the corporate structure changed and since the top executives of the institution are in Charlotte, N.C. the top floor was vacated.
That’s the way it’s been for several years, said Sarita Grant, property manager for Parmenter Realty Group. But that changed in a big way last week with the opening of the “Skyline Dining and Conference Center.”
Half of the 13,690 square-foot floor has been transformed into a restaurant that’s open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The other half, which includes the former CEO’s office and corporate board room, has been slightly modified and offers seven conference or meeting rooms which can accommodate groups from five people to more than 100 people.
“Originally we intended it to be an amenity for our tenants, but it makes more sense to offer the center to everyone,” said Grant.
The restaurant side is operated by ARAMARK. The menu includes the expected “fast casual” lunch fare like salads, soups and deli sandwiches but there’s also a carving station and hot bar. Last week the daily special menu debuted with selections such as baked snapper with orange-tomato sauce, chipotle-glazed pork loin, roast prime rib of beef and Baja spicy shrimp tacos.
Grant was quick to point out that while the food and view from the dining area are top-of-the-line, the cost is more down to earth.
“There’s a different featured entree every day and our prices are about 10 percent below the usual Downtown lunch market,” said Grant. “For example, chef-carved prime rib with a side item, a roll and a drink is $8.09.”
Conference room customers can choose from having lunch in the restaurant or ARAMARK can cater the meeting, a service also available for breakfast or dinner.
Grant commented that it made no sense to not take advantage of the most premiere space in Jacksonville’s premiere office address.
“What we’ve done is make the highest and best use of our 42nd floor,” she said.
For the Skyline daily special menu go to www.aramarkcafe.com/skyline. For conference room availability and rates, call 791-9797.
356-2466