Founder Britt Morgan-Saks said Feb. 27 she expects a soft opening of The June private club Downtown early in this year’s third quarter, which starts in July.
She said the club has 150 founding members, who are investors.
“Over 95 percent of this group are Jacksonville residents, which reflects the deep support and enthusiasm of the local community to bring The June to life,” Morgan-Saks said in emailed statements as the city approved permits Feb. 26-27 for the $6.4 million build-out.
She is building-out The June in the historic Federal Reserve Building at 424 N. Hogan St. in the Downtown North Core.
Morgan-Saks is not disclosing the limit to the number of members.
“We can, however, share that our next round of membership will be built by invitation based on nominations from our founding members,” she said.
She said that as Downtown Jacksonville transforms, “The June will be a hub for the city’s leaders and visionaries. While Jacksonville marks our first location, our plan is to expand to other emerging Gateway Cities, creating a community of individuals shaping their cities’ futures.”
Morgan-Saks considers the Jacksonville club to be the first of a network.
“My goal with The June is to create a next-generation private members club, creating an elevated experience of belonging in Emerging Gateway Cities,” she said.
“I believe that Jacksonville is the perfect place for our flagship location, offering a world-class destination that enhances the opportunity to make those kinds of connections, foster meaningful relationships and build one of a kind experiences for our members.”
She invites those interested in joining to visit thejune.club website and said there already is “a significant waitlist.”
The June is not disclosing specific membership costs. Membership questions will be answered upon inquiry on the website and through the nomination process, she said.
Morgan-Saks said expanding “The June’s esteemed community” reflects “the unique culture that is represented here in Jacksonville.”
“Our membership process is currently by invitation only, as referrals from our founding members,” she said.
“An open application process will begin later this spring. Anyone interested in learning more about future membership opportunities is invited to visit our website and submit an inquiry.”
Morgan-Saks did not identify the investors.
“Our founding investors represent an amazing, dynamic group of predominantly Jacksonville residents who represent the extraordinary cultural and business vanguards of this city,” she said.
“Members represent different ages, geographical areas and fields of expertise, which will help us build a unique and multifaceted club here in the city of Jacksonville.”
She said the group is not ready to announce its operating hours.
The development team “is made up of the best of the best in what they do.”
“From my business partner Ian Nicholson, who will head our club development and brings 30+ years of experience in the hospitality and hotel management industries, to our strategic advisors, to our membership experience team - the individuals who will bring The June to life in Jacksonville are exactly the right people for the job,” she said.
Development partner Alex Sifakis, president of Jacksonville-based JWB Real Estate Capital, is a development partner. He bought and renovated the building.
Morgan-Saks said his support of the project has “been instrumental in getting us to this point.”
“When I met Britt, I knew she would make a difference in this city,” Sifakis said in an emailed statement.
“Her vision for the historic Federal Reserve Building is unique and will provide something to our city that we have never had before. The June represents the next step of redevelopment for Jacksonville. Her vision will spur additional economic growth and development. Jacksonville is lucky to have her here.”
Morgan-Saks said she moved to Jacksonville in 2020.
“Deep friendships and extraordinary relationships have been crucial for me,” she said.
She said she was “captivated by this city’s incredible energy and inspired by its vibrant spirit. I felt compelled to build something I believe will be not simply additive, but transformative to the city of Jacksonville.”
“We know Jacksonville has some incredible individuals –from business professionals, doctors, and lawyers, to artists and musicians. We see The June as the hub, bringing together the city’s leaders and visionaries, offering modern hospitality, incredible dining, and dynamic entertainment to form an elevated experience that contributes to the revitalization of culture, commerce and community,” she said.
Morgan-Saks said she considered area sites from the Beaches and Ponte Vedra to Riverside, all “with their own distinct energy.”
She said that Downtown’s development is seen “from historic redevelopment, to new destinations like Gateway Jax’s Pearl Square and the Four Seasons underway on the Northbank, growth is all around us.”
Morgan-Saks said she was introduced to the Federal Reserve Building by friends Steve Williams and Fitz Pullins, both Jacksonville artists and natives.
“They suggested the building as a potential site for The June. Once I saw it, I knew it would be the perfect place to introduce a modern social club, built to foster connection,” she said.
Through partnership with Christian Harden, co-CEO of Jacksonville-based real estate firm NAI Hallmark, she was introduced to Sifakis. Harden represented The June in the lease and site selection.
“Now is the time to build on the developmental momentum, to reinvigorate our city with new concepts, and breathe new life into an incredible historical landmark,” she said.
Permits and plans
The city issued permits Feb. 26-27 for the renovation and adaptive reuse of the structure, constructed in 1922.
The project comprises an 18,430-square-foot renovation in the four-story building, which includes the basement.
The city issued permits for GLK Construction Co. of St. Petersburg to build-out and renovate the adaptive reuse of the structure at a project cost of $6.4 million.
A separate permit is for minor modifications to the existing exterior courtyard. Pittman Landscape Architecture of Jacksonville is the landscape architect.
Elysium Construction of 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.
The club designer is Ward + Gray. Jacksonville-based Robbins Design Studio, led by principal Brooke Robbins, is the project’s architect of record.
Codes-ABC Inc. of Orange Park is the private plan reviewer.
The Federal Reserve Building 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 JWB Real Estate Capital.
The June 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.
Now 103 years old, the 19,420-square-foot Federal Reserve Building is a National Historic Landmark Building.
JWB Real Estate Capital paid more than $2.4 million for 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 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.