Northwest Adams and Laura streets is transitioning.
As Jacobs Jewelers closes at The Greenleaf Building at the end of February, the property owner is preparing for interior demolition of the space the store leases on the first floor and in the basement.
The city is reviewing a permit application for Opus Group to demolish the 3,326-square-foot interior retail space of the first floor and storage in the basement at 208 N. Laura St.
The space is being marketed to tenants.
Jacksonville-based JWB Real Estate Capital owns the historic property that was built in 1927. It paid almost $7 million for the 12-story building, President Alex Sifakis said June 17.
Sifakis said JWB will move its headquarters into about 36,000 square feet of the 66,000-square-foot building.
JWB now is at 7563 Philips Highway, Suite 109, in Deerwood Center.
Sifakis said JWB would request incentives from the city as it renovates.
He said in June the building is 60% occupied. Some tenants will leave as leases expire and others will remain.
He envisions an eventual restaurant on the ground floor.
Colliers Senior Director Matthew Clark and associates Olivia Steinemann and Sam Middlekauff are marketing the retail space for lease, calling the property The Greenleaf.
It is marketing the 3,364-square-foot Retail Suite 2 on the first floor, the former jewelry store. The brochure said available city programs include retail enhancement and store facade grants.
Jacobs Jewelers owners Roy and Delorise Thomas have been selling the inventory in a retirement sale, which is in its final days.
Damon Greenleaf established the business along Bay Street in 1867. He was joined by J.H. Crosby in 1890 and the jewelry store became Greenleaf & Crosby.
The partners constructed the Greenleaf & Crosby Building and moved the jewelry store to its current location in 1927.
They sold the business in 1930 to V.E. Jacobs, who then changed the name.
The Thomases began working in the store together in 1968 and bought the store in 1986.
They have opened the doors to the oldest jewelry store in Florida six days a week for their customers looking for 14-carat and 18-carat gold, platinum, diamonds, Omega and Rolex wristwatches, fine gifts, crystal and china.