This week in Building Up Jax: Cowford Chophouse is set to re-start its construction efforts with a new contractor, plus a few other notes in what was a slow news week for Jacksonville development.

Cowford Chophouse, redeux

The Cowford Chophouse project is back on.

According to Jax Daily Record, new contractors Danis Construction LLC filed for permits with the city this past week to move forward with construction on the three-story building.

Efforts to restore the historic building at 101 E. Bay St. into an upscale dining venue hit a snag earlier in the year, with property owner Jacques Klempf ditching original contractor Elkins Construction LLC. Danis Construction LLC was chosen to take over.

The restaurant’s website still estimates its grand opening to occur in “fall 2016”, but that estimate hasn’t changed since the contractor switch.

Additionally, the restaurant’s management group, Forking Amazing Restaurants, just hired Orsay’s former pastry chef Michael Bump to become their executive pastry chef, according to Jacksonville Business Journal. Bump will, among other duties, oversee menu development for the group’s portfolio. This includes Ovinte, Il Desco, and Bistro Aix in addition to Cowford Chophouse.

Some other notes

• KFC will remodel their locations at 9551 Regency Square Blvd. N. and 10770 Beach Blvd.
• A new apartment complex is coming to the Tamaya neighborhood off of Beach and Kernan Blvds., with permits having been filed for multiple buildings and a clubhouse.
• Whiskey Jax will open a second location at 950 Marsh Landing Parkway, according to the Florida Times-Union.
• According to the Florida Times-Union, Southbank’s The Strand sold for $64.6 million, which is believed to be the highest price for which a Jacksonville apartment complex has ever sold. The building is 97% occupied, and previously sold for $53.3 million in 2013.
• Hair salon chain Drybar will open a location in the Brooklyn Station shopping center on Riverside Ave., according to Jacksonville Business Journal.
• According to the Daily Record, GATE plans on opening at least three more Jacksonville locations before the end of 2017.

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