Gateway Jax plans to replace the former First Baptist Church main auditorium with a mixed-use tower that includes the grocery store
The funding for the Publix store expected to anchor Pearl Square in Downtown Jacksonville could hinge on voters this November. (WJXT, Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The fate of incentives for a Downtown Publix has yet to be decided, but developer Gateway Jax is moving ahead with plans to demolish the former First Baptist Church main auditorium to make way for it, according to our news partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record.
The city issued a demolition permit for 119 W. Beaver St., where Gateway Jax plans a mixed-use, 14-story tower that would include apartments and the grocery store. PCL Construction LLC is the contractor for the demolition, as listed in the permit.
Gateway Jax is a partnership between CEO Bryan Moll, JWB Real Estate Capital and DLP Capital.
However it is funded, Moll said, the Publix development must occur for Gateway to realize its vision of investing $2 billion in Downtown. He said the project would support growth of Downtown’s residential population and help attract retail that will propel further development.
For more on the concern around incentives, go to JaxDailyRecord.com.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.