Downtown Jacksonville Set to Welcome New Upscale Steakhouse, Oak Steakhouse, in 2025

Downtown Jacksonville Welcomes New Upscale Steakhouse in 2025

Downtown Jacksonville is set to see a new addition to its dining scene as Oak Steakhouse prepares to open its doors in late 2025. The announcement was made by Indigo Road Hospitality Group on November 26, revealing plans for the upscale steakhouse to occupy the first floor of the historic Greenleaf & Crosby Building, located at 204 N. Laura St.

A Historic Move

The Greenleaf & Crosby Building, known for its architectural significance since its development in 1927, was previously home to Jacobs Jewelers, which closed its long-time operations in early 2023 after 96 years in the property. The arrival of Oak Steakhouse is seen as a revitalization effort for the area and a positive shift for Downtown Jacksonville’s dining landscape.

Indigo Road Hospitality Group’s Expansion

Indigo Road Hospitality Group, founded by Steve Palmer in 2009, has plans to extend its well-established Oak Steakhouse chain, which currently includes seven locations across various cities like Alexandria, Virginia, Atlanta, Charleston, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee. The Jacksonville location is expected to enhance the city’s status as a dining destination.

Community Reactions

Local business owner and Downtown advocate Tony Allegretti expressed optimism regarding the new steakhouse, emphasizing that the choice of location by Indigo Road suggests potential growth for the Downtown area. “I know the Palmer folks put a lot of work when selecting locations, so I take this as good news in general for Downtown,” he stated in a text.

Allegretti also mentioned the possibility of the new steakhouse encouraging efforts to preserve the nearby historic Snyder Memorial Methodist Church, located at 226 N. Laura St., which is no longer in religious use.

Continuing the Upscale Trend

The trend of upscale dining in Downtown Jacksonville began with Ruth’s Chris Steak House, which opened in 1997. This was followed by Morton’s The Steakhouse in 1999. After a brief closure under new corporate ownership, Morton’s returned to the market in 2017.

Additionally, Cowford Chophouse, opened by Jacques Klempf in 2017, has contributed to the upscale dining options in the area, offering rooftop dining experiences.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the excitement surrounding the new Oak Steakhouse, there are challenges ahead. Local media publisher Sam Taylor highlighted that while the base population in Downtown is growing, many residents may prefer fast-casual dining options over full-service restaurants. “If it was a fast-casual restaurant, it would harvest all the new heads in beds in the Downtown footprint,” he noted.

Nevertheless, the anticipated construction of new residential buildings in Brooklyn, LaVilla, Springfield, and on the Southbank promises to provide additional customer opportunities. The upcoming Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences, slated to open in 2026 along the Downtown Northbank, is expected to add even more dining options to the area.

A Bright Future for Dining in Jacksonville

The prospect of a new upscale steakhouse in Downtown Jacksonville signifies a positive shift towards enhancing the city’s culinary reputation. Oak Steakhouse’s entry into this vibrant dining landscape could attract both locals and visitors alike, reinforcing the area as a desirable dining destination while prompting future developments in the restaurant sector.