Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts announced July 25 that the company will flag Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s five-star hotel and residence project on the Downtown Riverfront.
The company said the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jacksonville is anticipated to open in 2026.
The project is part of the Jacksonville Shipyards redevelopment south of TIAA Bank Field along the St. Johns River.
Four Seasons had not commented on the project publicly, but Khan, Jaguars executives and their real estate attorneys have repeatedly tried to reassure City Council and the public that the Toronto-based luxury hotel chain was involved in the project’s design and would flag the hotel product.
The news release said the 170-room hotel will have 26 private residences, a “world-class spa,” four dining and lounge outlets including a signature rooftop restaurant and bar, all-day restaurant, pool bar and grill, and lobby bar.
That’s consistent with the latest plan that Khan’s development company Iguana Investments Florida LLC pitched to the city that was approved by Council with a $129 million incentives deal in January 2023.
It’s the largest piece of Khan’s $387 million plan for the Shipyards, which includes a 157,027-square-foot, six-story Class A office building that will house the NFL team’s business staff and have other leasable space; city-owned marina and marina support facility; extended Riverwalk; and green spaces.
“Four Seasons is incredibly proud to bring our renowned service and hospitality offering to one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States,” said Bart Carnahan, executive vice president of global business development and portfolio management for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
“As Jacksonville continues to enhance its offerings for people to live, work and play, we look forward to working with Mr. Khan to expand our presence in Florida and extend our long-time partnership together, contributing to the city’s bright future and achieving our shared vision of building communities and creating exceptional luxury experiences.”
Hotel amenities will include multiple outdoor pools with cabana service, a gym, meeting and event space and a Kids For All Seasons Program with activities for younger guests, according to the news release.
Four Seasons said Miami-based Pininfarina of America created the initial conceptual design. Iguana announced in May 2022 that Dallas-based architectural firm HKS would be the lead designer on the project.
Orlando-based PCL Construction is the project’s construction manager.
Four Seasons operates five hotel properties in Florida in Orlando, Palm Beach, Surfside, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
The news release said Four Seasons also is working on a resort in Naples.
Iguana started construction on the hotel this year. Its agreement with the city requires Iguana to complete the project by June 30, 2026.
The Four Seasons news release said the hotel is expected to open in 2026.
Khan also owns Four Seasons’ flagship property in Toronto. He bought that in September 2016.
The Jaguars recently announced its proposal for a $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion stadium renovation and an adjacent $600 million mixed-use neighborhood development.
Khan and the Jaguars are expected to begin negotiations this year with Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration for public funding to renovate the city-owned stadium.
In the release, Khan said the hotel project is about connecting his “immense love and respect” for Four Seasons and Jacksonville.
“Four Seasons is an iconic brand that will redefine Downtown Jacksonville and provide a luxury destination that we have been unable to offer until now,” Khan said.
“Jacksonville, in turn, will offer the new Four Seasons Hotel a spectacular setting on the banks of the St. Johns River and provide our entire community a reason to rally around the Shipyards, the Stadium of the Future and the overall future of Downtown Jacksonville. I’ve said all along that Four Seasons will be a game-changer for Jacksonville, and the change begins now.”