Jacksonville-based 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 701 San Marco on the Southbank.
Corporate Marketing Vice President Dave Auchter said May 26 that staff leasing 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.
Also look for the Haskell name on top of the 19-story tower at 701 San Marco Blvd., formerly known as the Prudential Building.
“We intend to submit our building signage application for DDRB review in June,” Auchter said, referring to the Downtown Development Review Board, which approves signage in the Downtown Sign Overlay Zone.
“Needless to say, it will be a great source of pride to see the Haskell brand marking the Jacksonville Skyline,” he said May 26 by email.
Upon the move, the more than 650 Jacksonville-based team members will be consolidated in the new offices, which are in review for permitting.
The city is reviewing plans for Haskell to renovate the almost 140,000 square feet it will lease for permanent space among the 11th through 14th floors.
“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.
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.
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 the 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.
Haskell Chairman, President and CEO Jim O’Leary told staff March 4 that the company was moving because having two separate offices was not ideal, and new space would be designed for innovation.
He said the 111 Riverside lease had not been extended, so Haskell would relocate to temporary space at 701 San Marco as the new offices are built-out.
The art moves, too
While owners of 701 San Marco are installing exterior sculptures on the property, it will not be a relocation of Haskell artwork.
Haskell founder Preston Haskell is a longtime art collector. When the company designed the corporate headquarters, it was intended for paintings and sculptures commissioned for the project to be displayed inside and outside the building.
“We made sure we had plenty of big walls and light for art,” Haskell said in 2022.
He said having art in the work environment energizes the mind and spirit and makes people more imaginative and creative.
It also sends a strong message to visitors that the company values aesthetics and creativity as an important part of its culture, Haskell said.
“The outside sculptures at 111 Riverside (on the Riverwalk and front entry fountain) will remain in place as moving them is prohibitive and risks damage or destruction,” Auchter said.
The interior pieces eventually will be moved.
“The balance of the Haskell corporate art collection from 111 Riverside has been carefully packed and stored until it is curated in our new headquarter space at 701 San Marco,” Auchter said.
Project Blue Sky
Code-named Project Blue Sky, Haskell will receive $4.25 million in city 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.