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The first public component of Jacksonville’s planned $500 million Phoenix Arts & Innovation District (PHXJAX) has officially opened, signaling continued progress on one of the city’s most ambitious urban redevelopment projects. Miami-based Future of Cities, led by Tony Cho, is advancing the 8.5-acre mixed-use district in partnership with Live Oak Contracting, with the launch of Naked Kitchen serving as the development’s inaugural food and beverage destination.
Located just north of downtown along the Emerald Trail, the long-term master plan combines the adaptive reuse of approximately 120,000 square feet of historic industrial buildings with new vertical construction. Once complete, PHXJAX is expected to deliver up to 830 multifamily residences across affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing, alongside retail, restaurants, office space, artist studios, galleries, and community gathering areas. The project has already secured public support through city incentives, zoning approvals, and financing for its initial redevelopment phases.
Several historic buildings have already been repositioned for new uses, including the Liberty Building, Emerald Station, Legacy Building, and Phoenix Building. The next phase includes renovation of the Bunker Building and construction of an 80-unit affordable housing community, the first ground-up residential component of the district. Future plans also call for additional mixed-income apartment buildings, structured parking, and improved connectivity to Jacksonville’s expanding Emerald Trail network.
PHXJAX reflects a broader shift in urban development toward mixed-income neighborhoods that combine housing, culture, entrepreneurship, and adaptive reuse. As Jacksonville continues to attract investment into its urban core, projects that preserve historic structures while introducing new residential density are expected to play an increasingly important role in the city’s long-term growth strategy.
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