Morocco Temple Association Inc. sold the Morocco Shrine Temple building, which has hosted social gatherings, weddings, trade shows, holiday events and even the grunge band Nirvana, for $16.48 million on Nov. 11 to Town Center East Acquisition LLC of Atlantic Beach.
The property comprises 37 acres at 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road S. The deed was recorded Nov. 30.
The exhibition hall was built in 1985 and expanded in 1990.
The Klotz Group of Companies and KBR Group announced in October 2021 that they would raze the 100,000-square-foot building to make way for The Village at Town Center.
Early plans call for the mixed-use project to include residential units, commercial and office uses, a hotel and recreational space.
That includes a 1,025-unit mix of luxury and market-rate apartments, residences for those age 55 and older, student housing and a five-story hotel.
Plans called for 15 buildings. Planned amenities include a grill patio, turf play mounds, workout pads, food truck space, picnic areas, an open lawn and shade areas.
Retail, office space and a restaurant will take up 2.6 acres.
City Council approved rezoning and a large-scale land-use amendment for the site Sept. 14 by a 16-0 vote.
The property had been zoned low-density residential and planned unit development and was changed to another PUD.
The land use was changed to regional commercial from public buildings and facilities and low-density residential.
Construction is expected to start in 2022.
