Jacksonville’s Historic Armory to Become Vibrant Creative Hub with $30 Million Redevelopment Project

Jacksonville’s Armory Set for Exciting Transformation

In Jacksonville, the long-anticipated redevelopment of the historic National Guard Armory is finally gaining momentum. The project, named Made at The Armory, is aimed at serving as a vibrant hub for the local creative community. REVA Development Corp., based in Fort Lauderdale, is spearheading this substantial project, which has been in the works for over five years.

Project Details

On Tuesday, REVA filed civil plans for the redevelopment, marking a significant step towards construction. The developer is planning to invest approximately $30 million to redesign the 116-year-old Armory, located at 851 N. Market St.. The revitalization of this landmark will include a 20 to 25-stall food hall featuring a community kitchen, co-working offices, conference rooms, art studios, galleries, and a performance space. Additionally, residential units will be part of the plan.

Funding and Financing

In order to support this project, the Jacksonville City Council authorized Mayor Donna Deegan’s office to apply for a $7.5 million loan from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Don Patterson, the president of REVA Development, has stated that he expects the final construction financing to be secured by the end of December.

Historical Background

The Armory, which has been vacant since 2010, was built in 1908 and was designated as a local landmark in 2001. Earlier this year, it received recognition as a National Historic Landmark. The building has a considerable footprint of 80,000 square feet. It also includes adjacent parcels that currently feature three single-story warehouses used for city storage.

Residential Component

Plans for the Armory Flats indicate that the building will house 100 residential units with income levels ranging from 50% to 140% of the area’s median income. Some of these units are designated for artists, and there will also be 4,000 square feet of retail space available for local nonprofits or artists, fostering a collaborative environment.

Architectural Collaboration

The initial design of the facility was created by Place Architecture, known for their work on Armature Works in Tampa. Currently, the architectural firm BDG Architects from Jacksonville is in charge of the project. REVA has partnered with TideRock Development LLC, Canadev, and Urban Partners Construction to bring this vision to life.

Lease Agreement and Challenges

The city entered into a 40-year lease agreement with REVA for the Armory property, costing just a dollar per year, with options for renewal. However, the path to this redevelopment has not been without challenges. The discovery of title issues and unanticipated discrepancies regarding city ownership delayed the rezoning and financing process. In 2022, the city revised the agreement to provide the developer with additional time to tackle stabilization issues linked to lead-based paint, asbestos, and mold.

Future Aspirations

REVA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to merging community development with cultural impact. While some past projects have faced setbacks, such as the McCollum Hall restoration in Fort Myers, the company has successfully completed several multifamily housing developments in places like Okeechobee and Miami. Patterson expressed optimism about the Armory project, stating, “We hope to create a catalyst for future development” that will benefit various districts in Jacksonville.

The redevelopment of the Armory is set to inject new energy into Jacksonville’s creative scene while also providing much-needed housing options. As the community looks forward to the transformation, anticipation builds for what Made at The Armory will ultimately become.