Gateway Jax is moving forward with 655 Pearl, a planned 100,000-square-foot office building within the larger Pearl Square mixed-use development in downtown Jacksonville, Fla. The building is slated to be the sole dedicated office component in Pearl Square and will rise six stories at 655 Pearl St., adding modern workspace to the emerging district.
Pearl Square is a proposed $750 million project that is being developed in phases and is planned to blend office, residential, retail, hospitality, and open space. According to Commercial Edge, the overall master plan calls for more than 1,250 residential units, in excess of 200,000 square feet of retail and dining space, a boutique hotel, and more than 1 acre of parks and green areas. Five buildings within the project are already under construction, with the first residential property expected to deliver this summer.
Groundbreaking for 655 Pearl is scheduled for 2027, and the office building is expected to be completed by 2028. Once delivered, it will anchor the employment component of Pearl Square while being surrounded by a substantial mix of residential and retail uses, as well as hospitality and public open space. The timing of the office delivery will follow the initial wave of residential construction already underway in the district.
JLL has been engaged as the exclusive leasing agent for 655 Pearl. JLL professionals Michael Loftin, Jesse Shimp, and Mack Keasler are leading the leasing efforts for the office project. Their assignment covers marketing the six-story building to prospective tenants and structuring leases as Pearl Square continues to take shape.
Design for 655 Pearl is being led by Morris Adjmi Architects in collaboration with BDG Architects. The architectural team is tasked with creating an office property that fits into the broader Pearl Square plan while supporting the site’s mix of uses and open spaces. As the only office building in the project, 655 Pearl is positioned to capture demand from tenants seeking new space within a walkable, mixed-use environment in downtown Jacksonville.
Public support for Pearl Square includes a significant incentive commitment from local officials. In 2024, the Jacksonville City Council approved a $98.6 million incentive package for the first phase of the project, supporting the early stages of the large-scale redevelopment. That backing aligns with the phased delivery approach, which prioritizes initial residential components and sets the stage for later additions such as 655 Pearl.
