By Michele Leivas
The Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) has approved an incentive package for The Prudential Club: Garden, Lounge and Liquors, an upscale restaurant and lounge planned for the Southbank.
In its capacity as the Community Redevelopment Agency at its Sept. 18 board meeting, the DIA Board approved a $345,314, Core Retail Enhancement Program (REP) Grant.
Formerly home to WE Insure, Inc. and the American Cancer Society, the existing structure at 1430 Prudential Drive will be transformed into a 9,000-square-foot lounge and dining area, with an additional 7,000 square feet of outdoor seating, including a full-service, 15-seat outdoor bar and dining and lounge space to accommodate more than 75 guests.
Property owner Phil Visali noted that the American Cancer Society’s “Survivor’s Patio” with memorial pavers will be preserved during the outdoor renovations.
“We really believe the selling point to The Prudential Club is going to be the outdoor garden area, which is almost as big as the inside and that is a 12,000-square-foot-building,” Visali said.
The property also offers its own parking area in the rear. The boutique liquor shop – Prudential Liquors – was not considered as part of this DIA incentives package.
At the DIA’s Sept. 12 Real Estate and Property Disposition Committee meeting, Visali said the high-end lounges and restaurants he has frequented when visiting the Tampa Bay area inspired him to bring a similar upscale concept to Jacksonville.
Visali later said he’s grateful to be part of the development that will help put Jacksonville on par with its sister cities. “We’ve got the river, we’ve got the beaches, we’ve got downtown and we have the Jaguars,” he said. “We should be a top destination city, no doubt.”
Visali is also co-owner of the Players Grille in Mandarin as well as a new Players location coming to Brooklyn in the Home2 Suites Downtown Jacksonville.
