The developers of Downtown’s Pearl Square are seeking approval from the Downtown Development Review Board to build an eight-story parking structure west of the Ambassador Hotel.
In a June 5 application to the DDRB, Gateway Jax says it plans to construct a precast concrete garage with 480 spaces for the hotel, other Pearl Square properties, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and public.
Gateway bought the Ambassador in February 2025 with plans to restore the six-story building as a hotel. The building, constructed in the 1920s, has been vacant for decades.
In the same purchase, Gateway also acquired the adjacent Central National Bank building and the remaining parcels in the block bordered by Duval, Julia, Church and Pearl streets. Together, the properties encompass 1.48 acres.
Renderings show the north and west sides of the garage clad with metal and louvered panels that give them a checkered facade. The south wall will be painted with a mural, the design of which has not been determined.
The east wall, which abuts the hotel, is unadorned.
A site plan shows existing trees being retained and trees planted on the north side of the garage, along with new trees along Pearl Street.
Concrete and brick pavers of four different shades will be added along the walkways. Twelve varieties of plants will be included in the landscaping.
The garage application is an amendment to a previously approved application for the hotel building.
It will go before the DDRB for final approval June 26. The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Lynwood Roberts Room at City Hall, 117 W. Duval St.
DDRB staff recommends approval with recommendations for Gateway Jax to work with the DDRB to coordinate Downtown-specific design standards for hardscape and landscape elements, and that placement of benches and trash receptacles be submitted to staff for review.
Gateway Jax is a partnership between principal Bryan Moll, JWB Real Estate Capital and DLP Capital. It bought the block Feb. 14 through 420 Julia St LLC for $17 million.
420 Julia St LLC took out a $16.68 million mortgage with DLP Capital. St. Augustine-based DLP is one of the owners of Gateway Jax.
Gateway Jax has begun construction on a Downtown Jacksonville development that if fully built would include more than two dozen properties and a $2 billion investment.
Work is underway on Block N11, a seven-story mixed-use building at 515 N. Pearl St., north of the Ambassador block. That $45 million building will include 205 apartment units and 24,086 square feet of retail, commercial and storage space.
On May 15, Gateway Jax broke ground on 425 Beaver Street, a $110 million mixed-use building that will include 286 multifamily units, nearly 20,000 square feet of retail space and on-site parking.
Plans for Pearl Square entail nine properties and $750 million of development.
