Ameris Bank intends to become the fourth signature name to marquee the Downtown Southbank building known as Riverplace Tower.
Now we know what it will look like.
The Downtown Development Review Board is scheduled to vote on final approval Thursday for a special sign exception to hang the Ameris Bank signs on the north and south facades of the tower.
It included a rendering of the signage in its agenda packet.
Ameris Bank is moving its executive headquarters from Moultrie, Ga., into 35,000 square feet within the building at 1301 Riverplace Blvd.
It will be the fourth name to headline the structure, which started as the Gulf Life Tower from 1967-91.
The 28-story structure served as the SouthTrust Building from 1991-2005 and then as a Wachovia Bank building from 2005-12.
The cost of the signage is more than $410,000. The project should start by Oct. 15 and be completed by Dec. 1.
When the building was completed in 1967, it was the tallest pre-cast post-tensioned concrete structure in the world until 2002. It was Florida’s tallest building until One Biscayne Tower was built in 1972 in Miami. And it was Jacksonville’s tallest building until the Independent Life Building, now known as Wells Fargo Center, was built in 1974.
Ameris Bank wants to install two sets of internally illuminated main identity channel letters, not to exceed 1,125 square feet of space each.
That’s less than the Wachovia and Gulf Life signs used. Ameris is using two sides of the building, while the previous anchor tenants posted signs on all four sides.
The signs will be blue with red and white accents.
A special sign exception is needed when the sign area exceeds 400 square feet on high-rise buildings.
Beer, wine on tap for Regal Stadium 20
The Regal Avenues Stadium 20 wants to sell beer and wine, following a trend within its company and the industry.
Regal Cinemas Inc., based in Knoxville, Tenn., is asking the city for a zoning exception for the sale of beer and wine for consumption at the theater at 9525 Philips Highway.
A letter from an attorney representing the theater chain said Regal operates more than 75 theaters in the U.S., including 25 in Florida, that offer beer and wine in theaters with mixed-age patrons.
Regal also operates the Beach Boulevard Stadium 18 and the River City Marketplace 14, but those were not included nor referenced in the documents.
The attorney, with GreenspoonMarder in Miami, wrote that Regal operates more than 500 theaters in 42 states. For the past decade, the chain has focused on improving technology and enhanced display as well as upgrading the theater experience.
Attorney Raul Valero wrote that alcohol sales at Regal locations have accounted for less than 10 percent of overall revenue generated by a theater.
LATimes.com reported in October that theaters are investing heavily in new bars and lounges, along with reserved seating, reclining seats and in-theater dining, to keep consumers at theaters longer and spend money they otherwise might spend elsewhere.
For example, AMC Entertainment says there is growing demand for its bar concept, called MacGuffins Bar and Lounge. AMC has added a full-service MacGuffins Bar to its 24-screen theaters in Regency Square and Orange Park.
Independent theaters have long offered food, beer and wine, including Sun-Ray Cinema in Five Points and San Marco Theatre in San Marco.
Epic Theatres says its new theater under development in Oakleaf Station Shopping Center will offer “a lobby bar serving adult beverages in a family-friendly environment.”
Theaters are following a pattern that has been successful at ballparks and theme parks, said an AMC executive. Plus, the incidents of rowdy customers are rare.
“Guests love it,” said AMC Entertainment executive George Patterson to LATimes.com.
“A glass of wine really improves a bad movie.”
Regal can search bags
In the wake of several deadly theater shootings, Regal Entertainment Group updated its admissions procedures on its website to say it can search bags, much like patrons at sporting and entertainment venues have come to expect.
Jimmy Hula’s aims for Orange Park location
Jimmy Hula’s, the Florida restaurant chain featuring fish tacos and burgers, will open its second area location. A fictitious name filing Aug. 21 shows Jimmy Hula’s will open at 174 Blanding Blvd.
The first area restaurant opened in the first quarter at 13170 Atlantic Blvd., at Hodges Boulevard. It was the first Jimmy Hula’s outside of Central Florida.
Blake Stichter of Ponte Vedra is the owner’s agent for both the Jacksonville and Orange Park locations.
The chain, whose flagship store is in Winter Park, features a Caribbean, Hawaiian and coastal-themed environment. Jimmyhulas.com lists six operating locations — Winter Park, Lake Mary, Jacksonville and three in Orlando. Two are listed as coming soon in Altamonte Springs and Brandon.
The chain franchises its units and said there are single and multi-store opportunities available as it expands into the Tampa, Jacksonville, Palm Beach and other Florida markets.
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