Publix confirmed it will open a 31,000-square-foot grocery store in Downtown Jacksonville under an agreement with the Gateway Jax development partnership.
In a Sept. 3 news release, Gateway and Publix announced they had signed a lease for the grocery chain to occupy ground-floor space in Gateway’s Block N7 mixed-use development at 119 W. Beaver St.
That project is part of Pearl Square, Gateway’s $750 million, multiproperty development in the NorthCore area of Downtown.
“A grocery store is the heartbeat of any neighborhood,” said Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax, in the release.
“The addition of Publix, already well-known and loved, is a game-changer for Downtown and an incredible step forward for Pearl Square. It brings everyday convenience and reinforces our commitment to building a complete, connected community that reflects the energy of Jacksonville.”
The release described the store as “full-service" but offered no other details other than its size. In response to questions, a media representative for Gateway confirmed that the store would have a pharmacy.
According Build Up Downtown, the store will have a deli and bakery.
Publix would be part of a building that would include a 15-story residential tower with about 250 apartments and integrated parking with 400 spaces.
Build Up Downtown said construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 with the grocery opening by 2028.
Project site
The project is planned on the site of the former First Baptist Church main auditorium, which would be demolished to make way for the new development.
In 2022, JWB Real Estate Capital and Corner Lot spent nearly $750,000 to prepare the auditorium for “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” The space, which was renamed the NoCo Center, later hosted the “Beyond King Tut” exhibit.
JWB is a partner in Gateway Jax with Moll and DLP Capital. The Sept. 3 news release says Corner Lot is a partner in Block N7.
The Sept. 3 announcement confirmed months of speculation that Publix would be part of the Pearl Square development.
Hannah Herring, Publix media relations manager, said in the release that the grocer had provided “premier service and quality products in a welcoming store environment” for 95 years and was pleased “to continue that legacy as part of the Pearl Square neighborhood.”
The Downtown Development Review Board voted Aug. 14 in support of plans to expand the Pearl Square development with a mixed-use project that includes apartments, a parking garage and a full-service grocery store with a pharmacy.
Plans for the site, at 119 W. Beaver St., include a 15-story apartment tower with about 250 units, six levels of parking and a 32,000-square-foot grocery store in 39,000 total square feet of retail. Renderings show retail space along Union, Beaver and Laura streets. The block is bordered by those three streets, along with Hogan Street.
Two levels of parking are directly above the grocery store and designated for the store’s use. Other parking levels are for the residential units.
Plans also show an expanded sidewalk on Laura Street and trees and landscaping along Laura, Beaver and Hogan streets.
Pearl Square
Plans for Pearl Square include 1,250 new residential units; about 200,000 square feet of retail tenants including restaurants and fitness operations; and the revitalization of the historic Ambassador Hotel. Also planned are new public spaces with widened and shaded sidewalks, public park spaces and a curbless festival street.
In December 2024, the Downtown Investment Authority board endorsed a $2.1 million incentive package aimed at incorporating a grocery store into the Block N7 project. The vote came on a resolution comprising a $1.36 million Retail Enhancement Program grant and a $741,000 Recapture Enhanced Value Grant. The DIA’s vote constituted final action on the incentives, with Jacksonville City Council approval not required.
Within the eight districts that make up Downtown Jacksonville, the Publix store would be the fourth either planned or open.
Fresh Market opened in 2014 at 150 Riverside Ave. in Brooklyn. A Whole Foods Market is under construction at 1 Riverside Ave. in the One Riverside retail, apartment and park development on the Downtown Northbank at the base of the Acosta Bridge.
Germany-based grocer Aldi Inc. is doing demolition work on selective interior and exterior portions of the former Harveys Supermarket at 777 N. Market St. to convert that store to its brand.
Gateway Jax began construction on its first two Pearl Square buildings, 515 Pearl Street and 425 Beaver Street, in late 2024 and spring 2025.
Editor's note: This story was updated with confirmation that the store would include a pharmacy, timeline and rendering of the Publix.
By Ric Anderson, Reporter
Jacksonville Daily Record