Officials from Harbert Realty Services LLC and Live Oak Contracting break ground Aug. 17 on The Hendricks at San Marco apartment community.
Part of South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church is fenced off for demolition. The main sanctuary will remain.
This building at South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church will be demolished to make way for The Hendricks at San Marco apartment community.
People gather for the groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 17.
The event was catered by Matthew’s Restaurant, which will remain at its location.
Hard hats await the groundbreaking festivities.
The groundbreaking ceremony tent.
South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church Pastor Adam Anderson speaks during the groundbreaking festivities Aug. 17.
The logo for The Hendricks at San Marco.
An artist's rending of The Hendricks at San Marco. The apartment community is planned to open in January 2023.
A satellite image of The Hendrick at San Marco site.
The logo for The Hendricks at San Marco.
Harbert Realty Services LLC and Live Oak Contracting ceremonially broke ground Aug. 17 on The Hendricks at San Marco, a day after the city issued a permit to demolish church buildings on the site.
The demolition permit allows Realco Recycling Inc. to demolish three South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church buildings at 2139 Thacker Ave.
The site is next to the Publix-anchored East San Marco retail center under construction and is across Hendricks Avenue from historic San Marco Square.
Harbert will develop 133 apartments in one building at the 2.09-acre site at southeast Atlantic Boulevard and Hendricks Avenue. The address is 1520 Alford Place.
The project is scheduled for completion in January 2023.
Harbert President and CEO David Williams said at the morning event that The Hendricks at San Marco is a $32 million investment, which he believes is the largest commercial investment in San Marco Square.
“The Hendricks is going to stand out in the community,” he said.
Demolition at the fenced site begins Aug. 19, Harbert and Live Oak representatives said.
The apartment developer is San Marco-based Corner Lot Development Group, led by Andy Allen and George Leone, and Birmingham, Alabama-based Harbert Realty Services.
Jacksonville-based GMC Properties, a privately held real estate company, is an equity partner and property manager.
Live Oak Contracting is the contractor. EnVision Design + Engineering is the civil engineer and Group 4 Design is the architect.
“It’s been a bit of a long road,” said Live Oak President and CEO Paul Bertozzi, referring to changes in the plans after neighborhood challenges.
“This project is going to add so much to San Marco.”
District 5 City Council representative LeAnna Cumber said the project will provide more residential choices and encourage pedestrian activity.
“We want people to come in. We want people to patronize the shops, go to the restaurants. We want the Square to flourish,” Cumber said.
A news release said The Hendricks will offer first-class finishes in the unit interiors with smart technology as well as outdoor living and recreation amenities, “and unparalleled walkability in one of Jacksonville’s most highly sought after neighborhoods.”
The Hendricks at San Marco will comprise a four-story building with a central courtyard connected to an adjacent three-level parking deck. It will comprise seven studio, 104 one-bedroom and 22 two-bedroom units.
Common areas and amenities for residents include a pool, yoga lawn, clubhouse and fitness center.
Developers bought 2.09 acres from The South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church Inc. for $2.66 million.
South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church owned 2.87 acres and maintains its sanctuary and services on the southern corner of the site at 2137 Hendricks Ave.
Pastor Adam Anderson said Aug. 17 that South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church is working on conceptual designs for a renovation.
Matthew’s Restaurant, which catered the groundbreaking, remains independently owned on the northern corner at Hendrick’s Avenue and Alford Place.
The city issued permits March 25 for the almost $21.9 million Hendricks at San Marco construction project.
Bill Ware, vice president of development with Harbert Realty Services, said after the group bought the land that construction would take 17 months.
Ware said Aug. 17 rental rates have not been determined.
