Wayfair Inc. spokeswoman Susan Frechette said the online home-furnishings retailer expects to open its AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center fulfillment center in the next couple of months.
Frechette, associate director of corporate communications, said Wayfair has hired about 45 people and expects to employ 250 by the end of 2021.
Wayfair, based in Boston, will lease a 1,012,567-square-foot building under development at 13483 103rd St.
The city issued temporary certificates of occupancy Dec. 20 so that Wayfair personnel can reach their work areas for setup while interior build-out continues.
Dallas-based Hillwood is developing the distribution center next to the 1 million-square-foot Amazon.com fulfillment center. Hillwood is the city’s master developer at Cecil Commerce Center.
The city announced Dec. 3, 2018, that Wayfair would lease the building and open the $72 million center.
A city incentives agreement says Wayfair will invest $50 million into real estate and $22 million into machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures.
The city said Wayfair will complete the center by year-end 2020 and create 250 jobs by the end of 2021. Building plans indicate 250 parking spaces and future spaces of 240, totaling 490.
Wayfair refers to the Jacksonville center as a Large Parcel Home Delivery Operation. The company told the city its average salary for full-time jobs will be $33,000 plus benefits.
City Council approved a $3.3 million city Recapture Enhanced Value grant based on the additional property taxes generated by the project.