JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Live Oak®, in partnership with Lone Pine Development and a team of nationally recognized experts, has been selected by JEA to purchase and redevelop the former JEA headquarters campus in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville.
Branded as The Jewel at 21 West, the project will transform the 65-year-old Downtown Center Complex into a vibrant mixed-use destination that blends historic preservation with modern living. Historic charm will meet modern amenities, positioning the project as a crown jewel of downtown and a hub for culture, lifestyle, and community.
The redevelopment will be led by The Jewel at 21 West, LLC, a joint venture between Live Oak® Estates Group and Lone Pine Development. The team includes Live Oak® Contracting as Construction Manager, Gensler as Architect and Designer, and Olto Construction as Commercial Interiors Contractor. Additional partners include River North Strategies (government affairs), Ballard Partners (policy strategy), and Burr & Forman LLP (legal counsel), with CBRE Capital Markets serving as financial advisor.
“The selection of our team is a vote of confidence in our shared vision for Downtown Jacksonville,” said Paul Bertozzi, President & CEO of Live Oak®. “This campus sits at a landmark location in the heart of downtown, and together with our partners, we look forward to delivering a radical transformation—reimagining this property as both the crown jewel of downtown and a renewed source of energy for culture, commerce, and community.”
Located at 21 W. Church Street, the former JEA campus includes the historic Universal-Marion tower and the adjacent Customer Service Center. Plans call for the adaptive reuse of the 19-story tower into 180 residential units with restaurants, retail, rooftop amenities, and active ground-floor uses. The Customer Service Center will be reimagined as a hub for food, wellness, and creative office space.
The redevelopment will also feature structured parking, a central plaza, and activated alleyways inspired by successful urban revitalizations in cities such as Tampa and Denver.
“Renewal projects such as The Jewel at 21 West not only transform neighborhoods – they unlock a city’s potential,” said Sarah Joubert, Principal and Co-Managing Director of Gensler’s Tampa office. “Gensler is proud to take part in this visionary project that will revitalize and pay reverence to the community and epitomize Jacksonville’s progress. We’re confident that the careful consideration and collaboration between Gensler, Live Oak, and Lone Pine Development will pave the way for a more vibrant and connected Downtown Jacksonville.”
The project is expected to generate more than 300 construction jobs and over 100 permanent jobs, while significantly increasing the city’s taxable value. It supports the Downtown Investment Authority’s vision for walkable, vibrant neighborhoods and demonstrates a strong commitment to public-private partnership, historic preservation, and long-term investment in Jacksonville’s urban core.
Additional details, including project milestones, architectural renderings, and community engagement opportunities, will be released in the coming months.
About Live Oak® Estates Group
Based in Jacksonville, Live Oak® Estates Group is the development arm of Live Oak® Contracting, one of the nation’s fastest-growing multifamily and mixed-use builders. Together, the firms bring deep experience in urban revitalization and a proven track record of delivering transformative projects across the Southeast.
