The city is reviewing a permit application for Jacksonville-based Haskell to renovate its new headquarters space at 701 San Marco Blvd. on the Downtown Southbank at an estimated project cost of $30 million.
Haskell, a global building services company, has moved staff from its previous headquarters at 111 Riverside Ave. on the Downtown Northbank into three floors of temporary space in the building, called 701 San Marco, as it prepares for the build-out.
The project is described as the interior build-out of 138,351 square feet of space on four floors – the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th – to serve as Haskell’s new headquarters.
Haskell is the contractor. Gensler is the architect.
City staff reported during incentives negotiations that the company had negotiated a 12-year lease with options for two five-year extensions for a new location where it plans to invest $20 million on improvements for new offices.
“Our projected build-out costs have grown through the design process. The permit application reflects where we are today and our commitment to making Haskell the best environment for our team members and our vision for growth,” said Corporate Marketing Vice President Dave Auchter on Aug. 20.
The work
The construction will include the addition of a new interconnecting stairway, complete renovation of the office space and the remodeling of the restroom spaces on the four floors.
The work will include the construction of new partitions, ceiling and finishes; the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire alarm and fire protection systems; and the demolition of those existing elements.
Haskell also will put its name on the 19-story building as its anchor tenant.
The Jacksonville Downtown Development Review Board voted Aug. 14 to approve two illuminated signs at the top of the building. The DDRB granted a special sign exception for signs on the northwest and southeast exterior walls.
Haskell plans to remove two signs for the previous main tenant of the building, The Prudential Insurance Co. of America, from near the top of the tower and put its signs in those spaces.
Auchter said the signs require months of design and fabrication before an installation date can be determined.
“We hope to have the building signage in place by the end of the year,” he said.
Auchter said May 26 that staff in leased additional space at 245 Riverside Ave. will remain there until new offices at 701 San Marco are completed in the first quarter of 2026 and the team can relocate together.
Auchter said Haskell is temporarily on the sixth, ninth and 10th floors at 701 San Marco Blvd. as the city reviews plans to renovate its permanent space.
Upon the move, the more than 650 Jacksonville-based team members will be consolidated in the new offices.
“Consolidating the Haskell HQ operation on the Southbank of Downtown Jacksonville marks the progression of our growing company and a clear nod to our culture that thrives on integration of design and construction disciplines,” Auchter said.
“The move is the right step to consolidate our Haskell team members and better serve our clients around the globe.”
Bradford Allen San Marco LLC is the 701 San Marco property owner and landlord.
Haskell built its three-story, almost 120,000-square-foot Riverside Avenue building in 1986. That size increases to more than 230,000 square feet including garage, base and balconies areas.
Haskell sold that property in 2008 and was leasing it back.
It also was leasing at least 16,520 square feet of space on the 12th floor of the Gates of Riverside building at 245 Riverside Ave., according to a property site brochure.
Project Blue Sky
Code-named Project Blue Sky in city documents, Haskell will receive $4.25 million in public incentives to relocate within Downtown under final action Dec. 10, 2024, by the Jacksonville City Council.
Council voted to adopt Resolution 2024-0946 for the incentive package, which comprises:
• A $2.3 million Recapture Enhanced Value Grant for 75% of the increased real and personal property taxes generated by the project site over 15 years. A REV grant is a refund on ad valorem tax revenue generated by a new development or property enhancement.
• A Local Training Grant of up to $1.2 million, or $2,000 for each of 600 jobs the company will retain through its relocation.
• A Local Targeted Industry Employment Grant of up to $750,000, based on $5,000 per job for 150 positions the company has pledged to add over up to five years at an annual average salary of $118,000.
