The proposed members-only The June Club at the historic Federal Reserve Building at 424 N. Hogan St. in the Downtown NorthCore is a team effort.
Founder Britt Morgan-Saks, who relocated to Jacksonville with her family from New York City, said Oct. 23 she has assembled a team to develop and operate the club.
New York City-based Ward + Gray interior design firm designed the venue.
Elysium Construction, also based in New York City, and Gardiner & Theobald, a global construction management firm with 18 offices that include New York City, will lead the construction and interior retrofit.
Jacksonville-based Robbins Design Studio, led by principal Brooke Robbins, is the project’s architect of record.
“With Britt’s vision and world-class team, The June will create a vibrant hub where ideas and opportunities converge and will further enhance the cultural and social fabric of Jacksonville,” said Christian Harden, co-CEO of Jacksonville-based NAI Hallmark, in a statement Oct. 23.
Harden represented The June in the lease and site selection.
“The June will be a first-of-its-kind, private members’ club, located in the historic Federal Reserve Building, in Downtown Jacksonville,” Morgan-Saks said.
“This venue reflects our vision for a premier destination for modern hospitality, elevated dining experiences and dynamic entertainment, contributing to the revitalization of culture, commerce, and community in the area,” she said.
The site is within the Gateway Jax redevelopment, which breaks ground Oct. 29 on its first mixed-use project in the Pearl Street District nearby.
Morgan-Saks said her group is “honored to play a role in downtown Jacksonville’s resurgence.”
“Our goal is to create a world-class destination that fosters meaningful connections and experiences for our members.”
Membership and other details will be announced later.
Permit application in review
The city is reviewing a building-permit application for the estimated $6.4 million renovation of the three-story building, which also has a basement that will be used.
The structure is at Hogan and Church streets near City Hall. It is part of the Gateway Jax project to redevelop more than 20 blocks Downtown primarily assembled by Jacksonville-based JWB Real Estate Capital.
JWB Real Estate Capital owns the historic Federal Reserve Building.
Plans include:
Basement: A cabaret featuring nightly entertainment. Plans filed with the city include seating and a lounge area around a piano.
Ground floor: The Grill Restaurant.
Second floor: A “living room” with seating areas, a bar and private dining.
Mezzanine: A “library” meeting space.
Third floor: A lounge, bar and performance space.
Outside: Outdoor dining, bar and lounging areas.
Hospitality Daily featured Morgan-Saks in a February 2023 podcast, saying she had recently moved from New York to Florida to launch and scale The June, “a soon-to-be-launched private members club designed to provide a more modern, inclusive experience of belonging in emerging gateway cities.”
She registered The June Group with the state in December 2022. Morgan-Saks is president, CEO and CFO.
The one-page website is thejune.club. It says “Coming Soon The June” and shows the club’s address. There is a place for users to enter their email to sign up.
The building owner
Built in 1922, the 19,420-square-foot building is a National Historic Landmark Building owned and restored by JWB Real Estate Capital.
JWB paid more than $2.4 million for the Hogan and Church street properties in August 2020, comprising $1.75 million for the Federal Reserve Building and $675,000 for the neighboring Florida Baptist Convention structure at 218 W. Church St.
JWB planned a $18.55 million redevelopment of the buildings and the Jacksonville City Council approved a $8.6 million incentives package in 2021 for their restoration. The city issued permits in 2021 to renovate the buildings.
JWB also owns the historic Seminole Building on the same block at 400 N. Hogan St. and plans to build an outdoor courtyard for restaurant seating connecting the three properties. That building is open and anchored by the Sweet Pete’s candy store and production facility.
