The plans call for a split of hotel and condo space with a vinyl-shaped bar and club on the 18th floor.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Four-and-a-half years ago, there was an explosion in downtown Jacksonville.
It was part of the demolition of the Berkman Plaza II, and the lot along Bay Street across from the Police Memorial building has sat vacant ever since.
It could soon feature a 30-story tower and a global brand on Jacksonville’s downtown skyline.
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A developer shared a plan at a Downtown Development Review Board meeting Thursday for a Hard Rock hotel and condo building.
For a man who spent a lot of time here in the past, he’s looking forward to the opportunity to spend some more time here again.
“I come out here now and then to fish,” said John Maple while fishing near the property Saturday. “I worked on the building that collapsed here years ago.”
Maple put a lot of work in toward building up the Berkman II, but never got to see it completed.
Instead, the property is little more than a fishing spot for him along the river.
“They should’ve put something on it right away,” Maple said. “The property has been empty for so long.”
Every time he looks at it, he has the same vision for what he thinks should go there.
“District with a Ferris Wheel, a movie theatre and some putt-putt,” Maple said.
That’s not quite what’s on the table, but a developer is hoping to add a 30-story Hard Rock Hotel.
The building would be split with hotel rooms for the bottom half and condos for the top half.
Between those halves on the 18th floor is the key feature – a vinyl record shaped club sticking out of the side of the tower with a bar in the middle and restaurant on the same floor.
“We got a lot of people who want to live in Jacksonville,” said Maple. “It’s a good city, a growing city, but we need to develop along with the people that’s coming.”
It would also feature tennis courts, pickleball, a spa, gym, a couple pools and of course, a Hard Rock Shop.
The proposal does not include any plans for a casino, however.
“The field has been empty for too long, something needs to be done with it,” Maple said.
Maple figures he’ll have to catch plenty of fishing before the tower goes in.
“When they put the Hard Rock there, fishing over with,” Maple said. “I’ll be right there in the Hard Rock too, spending money.”
A city spokesperson said they’ve had some preliminary conversations with the developer, but there’s nothing concrete on the city investment front.