Miami-based developer Related Group is seeking conceptual review from the Downtown Development Review Board for a mixed-use project on the former River City Brewery site in Downtown Southbank, Jacksonville.

The 3.43-acre site will host a 24-story residential tower, an eight-story residential block along Museum Circle, a 535-space parking garage, and a waterfront restaurant. The residential block will feature units surrounding a central parking garage. The tower’s modern art deco design has a wave-like geometry in the volume and horizontal articulation.

However, the proposed structure does not meet the setback requirements, with a 16-foot-wide Riverwalk instead of the 25-foot minimum requirement. The development will require approval from the city for incentives, as the Downtown Investment Authority canceled a previous deal with Related Group for a 326-unit apartment community on the same site. The DDRB will hold a virtual meeting on April 13 to review the project.

We are a River City and we support the development of land adjacent to the St. Johns River for entertainment, boating, dining, and sunset-watching.

Eye applauds the project and hopes that the DDRB will work with Related Group to bring the project to life. Maybe this development will prevent Jacksonville from being known as a drive-by city and instead become a destination.