Tesla Collision Center Planned for Jacksonville’s Westside
A new Tesla auto repair center is in the works for the Westside of Jacksonville. According to recent city filings, a permit was submitted to construct a Tesla collision center at 6655 Blanding Boulevard in the Duclay Forest area. The facility will be over 28,000 square feet and sit on a nearly 4-acre lot.
The project is estimated to cost $2 million, with Tectonics Design Group listed as the project’s contractor. Property owner James Hawkinson is also planning to demolish the existing building on the site, which is under review with a $30,000 demolition permit.
This project comes at a time when electric vehicle ownership is rapidly increasing across Jacksonville. For example, The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships started selling VinFast EVs in November, and last year, Val and Nadia Ranguelov opened a Karma Automotive dealership on Beach Boulevard, offering high-end electric vehicles.
Ashley Furniture Expands in St. Augustine
A former Badcock Home Furniture location in St. Augustine was recently acquired for $4.02 million by an LLC tied to Ashley Furniture’s parent company, 1915 South, based in Georgia. The property is at 1762 Tree Blvd, just off State Road 312.
This acquisition marks Ashley’s sixth location in Northeast Florida. They already operate five stores in Jacksonville along with a local distribution center. Ashley also opened a new store in Daytona Beach last August.
The previous owner, Garman & Young II Inc., bought the land back in 1997 for just $200,000. Badcock, once a staple furniture brand in the Southeast, has been shutting down its operations after 120 years. Its parent company, Conn’s, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2024.
Expansion of Gates of Riverside Gets Initial Green Light
Plans to expand the Gates of Riverside office complex at 245 Riverside Avenue took a step forward with initial approval from the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB). The proposed addition includes a 6,555-square-foot restaurant space with rooftop activation and a 24,280-square-foot structure featuring retail on the ground floor and offices above.
RAM Architecture and civil engineers from Baker Design Build are leading the design, which aims to reconnect the building with the Riverwalk and give it a fresh architectural identity. CEO Robert Maurer emphasized the importance of the structure standing out alongside other notable nearby developments like the FIS building.
The plans also call for landscaping, bollard lighting, and a restaurant space facing the river — with interest already coming from upscale dining groups. Hakimian Holdings, the project’s developer, also plans to revamp the on-site boat slips to support restaurant traffic from the water.
Scenic Jacksonville voiced support for the development, suggesting additional public seating and engaging features similar to Tampa’s Riverwalk.
The DDRB praised the project, particularly the inclusion of street-level retail, and encouraged efforts to improve pedestrian safety on the fast-moving Riverside Avenue. Final DDRB approval is next, which could lead to an application for incentives from the Downtown Investment Authority.
Information from: https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville
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