A Hilton suites brand called LivSmart Studios is being explored for College Park, the former Town & Country Shopping Center in Arlington.
JEA, Jacksonville’s utility provider, is reviewing an application to determine electric, water and other service availability for LivSmart Stadium East College Park at the property at 903-957 University Blvd. N.
The location at northeast University Boulevard and Arlington Expressway is across the Mathews Bridge from EverBank Stadium and Jacksonville’s Eastside. Depending on traffic, it is less than a 10-minute drive from Downtown Jacksonville.
A JEA application means a project is being considered and not that a deal is done.
Hilton.com says “LivSmart Studios by Hilton is a new value conscious extended-stay brand, providing apartment-style accommodations for long-stay guests who will make their home with us for 20 or more nights.”
Alex Sifakis, president of College Park property owner JWB Real Estate Capital, did not confirm the hotel Aug. 18 but did provide a comment.
“We are continuing to explore options for the outparcels at College Park that will be a great addition to the center and the community,” he said.
Alliant Engineering Inc. of Jacksonville submitted the service availability request Aug. 11.
The project is described as a 121-room hotel. JEA disapproved the first request and asks for a revised application to verify whether it is 105 rooms or 121 rooms to match the description to the availability flow calculation.
About LivSmart Studios
McLean, Virginia-based Hilton included LivSmart in its August 2025 investor presentation that shows the brand as one of its four all-suites banners along with Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites.
Hilton said it has more than 8,800 properties among 24 brands and more than 1.3 million rooms in 139 countries and territories.
It said 75% of its earnings are from U.S. properties.
Its five luxury brands include Waldorf Astoria; its six lifestyle brands include Curio Collection; the two full-service brands are Hilton and DoubleTree; its focused service brands are Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton, Tru and Spark; and it has three timeshare clubs.
Stories.Hilton.com described LivSmart Studios in a Jan. 9, 2024, news release introducing the brand.
“The lower midscale, extended-stay solution provides a reliable and consistent foundation for the long stay, allowing guests to make the most of every day,” it said.
The design was described Jan. 11, 2024, at Hotelinteractive.com as “deliberate.”
“Long-stay guests will be welcomed by the hotel’s inviting exterior of warm wood tones and a modern farmhouse-inspired palette with light industrial touches. Properties will also feature outdoor patios outfitted with grills, a communal fire pit and comfortable seating to make it truly feel like home.”
Hilton says LivSmart Studios include a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, two-burner stovetop, microwave, sink and pots and pans.
Amenities include free grab-and-go breakfast, parking and Wi-Fi; nonsmoking and pet-friendly rooms; EV charging; a fitness center; and laundry facilities.
The studios offer one king bed, one queen bed or two queen beds. Mobility and hearing accessible suites are available.
“With free grab and go breakfast options, a retail space with snacks and drinks, and a dedicated takeout delivery zone, when it comes to mealtimes you can suit yourself,” Hilton says.
The first LivSmart Studios is three-story, 89-room property that opened in July 2025 in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Reservations for Aug. 24 show rates starting at $147. The 3H Group Inc. and Aztec Group LLC developed the hotel.
The second to open will be a 137-room property in Kokomo, Indiana. Owned by Sun Management & Development Corp. the hotel is accepting reservations starting Oct. 23.
Another is opening as LivSmart Studios by Hilton Chesapeake
Stories.Hilton.com reported that with more than 90 hotels expected to open in the coming years and more than 225 deals in negotiation, “LivSmart Studios is Hilton’s answer to the evolving needs of long-stay travelers, bringing bold, new energy to the segment.”
About College Park
Jacksonville-based JWB Real Estate Capital bought and is redeveloping the 71-year-old College Park retail plaza that was built between 1953 and 1979.
It comprises about 189,000 square feet of space.
The property is part of the Renew Arlington Community Redevelopment Area, which the city intends to assist with rejuvenation.
Through 903 University Blvd LLC, Jacksonville-based JWB Real Estate Capital paid almost $5.1 million for the 18.27-acre property in August 2019.
The Colliers Urban Division is the real estate team marketing the College Park site for tenants and users.
A site brochure shows the southwest corner of the property with the potential for 82 market-rate apartments next to a shipping container market of a food court and entertainment.
It’s not clear if the hotel would be in addition to or in place of either of those projects.