Hendricks Avenue: The Next Hot Urban District
San Marco's Hendricks Avenue continues to emerge as Jacksonville's latest nightlife and dining district. Metro Jacksonville's Major Stephenson provides us with a closer look.
Despite all the press and focus on redeveloping downtown, San Marco's Hendricks Avenue appears to be the next hot urban district. This hidden gem has seen its fair share of development over the years and will continue to do so in the near future.
But really, Hendricks Avenue as the hottest place to be on a Friday night? I remember my first taste of Hendricks Avenue as a young boy when my mother signed me up for tennis lessons at the Southside Tennis Complex. As a freshman at Bishop Kenny High School, walking to San Marco Square for Starbucks or Tropical Smoothie was a common thing. As an adult I have enjoyed numerous frozen margaritas from La Napolera on Hendricks Avenue. Basically, Hendricks Avenue-along with San Marco Square-has seen an aging improvement and development over the years.
Hendricks Avenue is now home to a few varying restaurants and a beer brewery that have recently opened in the past few years:
Hurricane Grill & Wings: Located at 1615 Hendricks Ave.
High Tide Burrito: Located at 1538 Hendricks Ave.
Green Erth Bistro: Located at 1520 Hendricks Ave.
Jersey Mike's Subs: 1615 Hendricks Ave.
Jimmy John's: Located at 1725 Hendricks Ave.
Aardwolf Brewery
Clearly, there is potential seen in this part of San Marco. "It's a comprehensive improvement of San Marco and of course, Hendricks Avenue is a major artery that goes through it. It's a major factor," states Mark Rubin, owner of Accubuild Companies. "Over the last ten years we've seen some major infrastructure improvements: from the roadways, to the power lines, the sidewalk, the facade of major buildings and to the addition of parking. There's been a lot of infrastructure growth both on Hendricks Avenue and the recent development in infrastructure in San Marco Square." Accubuild Companies has had a helping hand in Hendricks Avenue's renovation seen in Hurricane Grill & Wings and Jimmy John's.
"There was a study done called San Marco by Design which identifies the area for this type of use," says Mike Balanky who has developed one of the first and successful Transit Oriented Developments (TOD) in Jacksonville at the Kings Avenue Garage. "It seems like the people in this area, you are getting a younger and younger demographic. They seem to be hungry for a whole new concept. It still has a lot of charm." Hendricks Avenue's charm continues to chime as future projects are on the horizon:
Hendricks Plaza: Located at 1620-1636 Hendricks Avenue. Owner Rettner Hendricks Realty LLC wants to invest at least $300,000 in facade renovations for the storefronts. The facade will unify the properties and reflect the look of San Marco with tan colors, lighting, crown molding and awning.
Publix San Marco: Located at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard. The 30,000 square-foot store is part of the development consisting of 240 apartments, 35 town homes and 14,000 square-feet of small shop retail space. Managing partner John Carey of Whitehall Realty Partners LP is under contract to acquire the East San Marco site.
JPMorgan Chase Bank: Located at 1515 Atlantic Boulevard, between Hendricks Avenue and Thacker Avenue. Construction is underway on the 5,320 square foot Bank. S.M. Ventures Inc. is the property owner and Boos Development Group of Clearwater is the developer.
Veloce Pizzeria Napoletana: Located at 1406 Hendricks Avenue. The partners opening up the artisan wood oven pizzeria are local restaurateurs Rudy Theade and Ridge Sink. Envision Design & Engineering will renovate the 7,637 square-foot building for the pizzeria. The countdown to its grand opening can be seen at their website https://www.Velocepizza.com
Panera Bread/San Marco Station: The historic building is 5000 square ft with four large arched windows and plenty of parking in back. It will soon be Jacksonville's newest upscale hot spot on Hendricks Avenue. A new 4,000 square-foot out parcel will be constructed and sit adjacent to the original building.
1917 Hendricks Avenue LCTurner LLC owns the 1,389 square-foot property and proposes to demolish the building and replace it with a two-story, 4,480 square-foot commercial building. The architect is Khoury & Vogt Architects. The engineer is Almond Engineering. The top floor would be available for lease to office tenants and two front units on the bottom floor would be available for retail use.
There are many exciting things happening to Hendricks Avenue, let alone San Marco as a whole. As the infrastructure in this part of town gets a new polish, residents of Jacksonville will see the historic charm San Marco encompasses as they carry it into a new era. San Marco usually has not been the first words to form on one's lips in thoughts to celebrating week nights. Hendricks Avenue is making sure to give San Marco a new fighting chance.
Growth on Hendricks Avenue
A list highlighting dining establishments and recent or proposed developments along San Marco's Hendricks Avenue.
1. Veloce Pizzeria Napoletana
2. Panera Bread/San Marco Station
3. Aardwolf Brewery
4. Green Erth Bistro
5. Hightide Burrito Company
6. Stan's Sandwich & Grill
7. Hurricane Grill & Wings
8. Jersey Mike's Subs
9. La Napalera Authentic Mexican Restaurant
10. Hendricks Plaza
11. The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille
12. Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
13. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
14. 1917 Hendricks Avenue
15. JPMorgan Chase & Company
16. Marble Slab Creamery
17. Subway
18. Mezze Bar & Grill
19. Publix/East San Marco
20. Matthew's Restaurant
Bold = Proposed or Under Construction
Article by Major Stephenson. Images and Graphics by Ennis Davis, AICP.
But really, Hendricks Avenue as the hottest place to be on a Friday night? I remember my first taste of Hendricks Avenue as a young boy when my mother signed me up for tennis lessons at the Southside Tennis Complex. As a freshman at Bishop Kenny High School, walking to San Marco Square for Starbucks or Tropical Smoothie was a common thing. As an adult I have enjoyed numerous frozen margaritas from La Napolera on Hendricks Avenue. Basically, Hendricks Avenue-along with San Marco Square-has seen an aging improvement and development over the years.
Hendricks Avenue is now home to a few varying restaurants and a beer brewery that have recently opened in the past few years:
Hurricane Grill & Wings: Located at 1615 Hendricks Ave.
High Tide Burrito: Located at 1538 Hendricks Ave.
Green Erth Bistro: Located at 1520 Hendricks Ave.
Jersey Mike's Subs: 1615 Hendricks Ave.
Jimmy John's: Located at 1725 Hendricks Ave.
Aardwolf Brewery
Clearly, there is potential seen in this part of San Marco. "It's a comprehensive improvement of San Marco and of course, Hendricks Avenue is a major artery that goes through it. It's a major factor," states Mark Rubin, owner of Accubuild Companies. "Over the last ten years we've seen some major infrastructure improvements: from the roadways, to the power lines, the sidewalk, the facade of major buildings and to the addition of parking. There's been a lot of infrastructure growth both on Hendricks Avenue and the recent development in infrastructure in San Marco Square." Accubuild Companies has had a helping hand in Hendricks Avenue's renovation seen in Hurricane Grill & Wings and Jimmy John's.
"There was a study done called San Marco by Design which identifies the area for this type of use," says Mike Balanky who has developed one of the first and successful Transit Oriented Developments (TOD) in Jacksonville at the Kings Avenue Garage. "It seems like the people in this area, you are getting a younger and younger demographic. They seem to be hungry for a whole new concept. It still has a lot of charm." Hendricks Avenue's charm continues to chime as future projects are on the horizon:
Hendricks Plaza: Located at 1620-1636 Hendricks Avenue. Owner Rettner Hendricks Realty LLC wants to invest at least $300,000 in facade renovations for the storefronts. The facade will unify the properties and reflect the look of San Marco with tan colors, lighting, crown molding and awning.
Publix San Marco: Located at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard. The 30,000 square-foot store is part of the development consisting of 240 apartments, 35 town homes and 14,000 square-feet of small shop retail space. Managing partner John Carey of Whitehall Realty Partners LP is under contract to acquire the East San Marco site.
JPMorgan Chase Bank: Located at 1515 Atlantic Boulevard, between Hendricks Avenue and Thacker Avenue. Construction is underway on the 5,320 square foot Bank. S.M. Ventures Inc. is the property owner and Boos Development Group of Clearwater is the developer.
Veloce Pizzeria Napoletana: Located at 1406 Hendricks Avenue. The partners opening up the artisan wood oven pizzeria are local restaurateurs Rudy Theade and Ridge Sink. Envision Design & Engineering will renovate the 7,637 square-foot building for the pizzeria. The countdown to its grand opening can be seen at their website https://www.Velocepizza.com
Panera Bread/San Marco Station: The historic building is 5000 square ft with four large arched windows and plenty of parking in back. It will soon be Jacksonville's newest upscale hot spot on Hendricks Avenue. A new 4,000 square-foot out parcel will be constructed and sit adjacent to the original building.
1917 Hendricks Avenue LCTurner LLC owns the 1,389 square-foot property and proposes to demolish the building and replace it with a two-story, 4,480 square-foot commercial building. The architect is Khoury & Vogt Architects. The engineer is Almond Engineering. The top floor would be available for lease to office tenants and two front units on the bottom floor would be available for retail use.
There are many exciting things happening to Hendricks Avenue, let alone San Marco as a whole. As the infrastructure in this part of town gets a new polish, residents of Jacksonville will see the historic charm San Marco encompasses as they carry it into a new era. San Marco usually has not been the first words to form on one's lips in thoughts to celebrating week nights. Hendricks Avenue is making sure to give San Marco a new fighting chance.
Growth on Hendricks Avenue
A list highlighting dining establishments and recent or proposed developments along San Marco's Hendricks Avenue.
1. Veloce Pizzeria Napoletana
2. Panera Bread/San Marco Station
3. Aardwolf Brewery
4. Green Erth Bistro
5. Hightide Burrito Company
6. Stan's Sandwich & Grill
7. Hurricane Grill & Wings
8. Jersey Mike's Subs
9. La Napalera Authentic Mexican Restaurant
10. Hendricks Plaza
11. The Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille
12. Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
13. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
14. 1917 Hendricks Avenue
15. JPMorgan Chase & Company
16. Marble Slab Creamery
17. Subway
18. Mezze Bar & Grill
19. Publix/East San Marco
20. Matthew's Restaurant
Bold = Proposed or Under Construction
Article by Major Stephenson. Images and Graphics by Ennis Davis, AICP.