For the first time, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts confirmed Tuesday that it plans a five-star hotel on Jacksonville's Northbank.
The company said it is working with Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan to develop the project as part of the Shipyards development south of TIAA Bank Field. The hotel is expected to open in 2026.
Khan's development company, Iguana Investments Florida LCC, said in May that the Four Seasons was in the works, but Four Seasons had never confirmed the plans until Tuesday.
Four Seasons issued a news release saying the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jacksonville will include 170 rooms and suites, 26 private residences, and four dining rooms and lounges, including a rooftop restaurant and bar. It also will include a marina, a pool bar and grill, and a lobby bar, all accessible to the public.
Amenities will include a spa, multiple outdoor pools with cabana service, a gym, meeting and event space and the Kids For All Seasons Program with activities for younger guests.
Four Seasons operates five other properties in Florida: Orlando, Palm Beach, Surfside, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Another is planned in Naples.
“Four Seasons is incredibly proud to bring our renowned service and hospitality offering to one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States,” Bart Carnahan, executive vice President of global business development and portfolio management, said in the news release. “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.”
The initial phase of the Shipyards project will comprise a six-story office building, a revamped marina, a reinvigorated Metropolitan Park, a marina services building and a public park.
Walking paths will connect to the riverwalk, which will stretch from Downtown Jacksonville to Metropolitan Park. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ business staff will move into the adjacent office building, the news release said.
Phase Two will include a 5-acre property slated for mixed-use development. Initial plans include a medical component and possibly retail, residential, additional parking and green space.
Khan also owns the Four Seasons flagship property in Toronto, which he bought in September 2016.
The Jaguars will soon begin negotiations with the city of Jacksonville over a proposed $1 billion-plus renovation of TIAA Bank Field, soon to be renamed EverBank Stadium. Khan sees the so-called "Stadium of the Future" as the centerpiece of a residential and commercial resurgence on the east end of Downtown.
In the Four Seasons news release, Khan said the development will meld his love of the 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," he 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.”
