Building Up Jax, 11/5: IKEA breaks ground and more

It was a slow week in development news, with the exception of the main story: IKEA has broken ground on its future Gate Parkway megastore. That plus a few noted projects in this week’s Building Up Jax.

IKEA Breaks Ground

The highly-anticipated IKEA location on Gate Parkway right next to I-295 had its ground-breaking ceremony this week.
The project is considered a major accomplishment for the city, which has long attempted to lure big names like IKEA.

The plans show that the store’s rear will be visible from I-295. One of the three entrances to the IKEA parking lot will be placed next to the I-295/Gate Parkway exit ramp.

This entrance will provide convenient access to the furniture mega-store from I-295, but may also cause traffic backups as customers attempt to get into the crowded parking lot.

The store will be across the street from an already-active shopping center, and several apartment complexes line its corridor of Gate Parkway. The arrival of IKEA will likely result in a major development boost for the surrounding area.

Noted projects

• Baptist Health plans to build a parking garage on land currently occupied by a surface parking lot along San Marco Blvd., near the Acosta Expressway and across from Sherwood Liquors, according to Resident News.
• Public Coffee House will open soon in the former Starbucks location at the Jacksonville Landing, according to the Florida Times-Union.
• Circle K plans to construct a location at 8837 Beach Blvd., across the street from Walmart near Southside Blvd., according to Jax Daily Record.
• Chase Bank and Best Buy will both move from their current locations at the St. Johns Town Center to new ones across the street at The Strand, also via JDR.