JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – A new hotel and beach resort is one step closer to reality in Jacksonville Beach. City leaders have approved zoning and the developers hope to break ground sometime this year.
The plan is to build a 220-room, eight-story luxury hotel on First Street in between Sixth and Seventh avenues North. Right now, it’s being called the Atlantis project. It’s fenced off, just north of the historic Casa Marina hotel. It’s been vacant for years, but that could soon change.
The developer said it will be the best Jacksonville Beach has ever seen.
Feet away from the beach, the plans call for a full-service hotel, with a four-story parking garage, restaurant, shops and condos.
"The more hotels, the better," beachgoer Michael Cronin said. "Keep them coming."
Local co-developer Jeff Klotz sent News4Jax the plans for the hotel he said will raise the bar on hospitality in the area, bringing people from all over to Jacksonville Beach.
IMAGES: Atlantis Hotel planned for Jacksonville Beach
The $77 million project isn’t all the way there yet. City leaders approved the mixed-used zoning request. Now they need building permits.
The developers hope to break ground this year and have it built in about 12-14 months.
Jacksonville Beach already has five oceanfront hotels, but none are large resorts like you might see in South Florida. These builders say they plan to change that.
"The tourism definitely brings in more business and helps me, too, because I am just a one-woman show," artist Linda Hunyar said.
There is a 35-foot height limit in Jacksonville Beach for new construction, but this property is one of a few that were grandfathered in. The hotel will likely stand around 89 feet tall. City leaders and developers said they hope it will bring more people to local businesses.
"As far as a person who lives here, I don't know, but for the businesses, heck yeah," Jacksonville Beach resident Nicky Sunku said.
City manager George Forbes said he thinks it’s a good idea for the city and will boost the economy. He said there’s another lot across the street that also could be the site of a smaller hotel and condo complex. That is expected to be discussed by the City Council in a few weeks.