Joe Cronk and Cliff Duch, owners of Cronk Duch Architecture & CD+Urban Studio, have teamed up with Mark Janasik, the owner of Restaurant & Hospitality Investment Group (RHIG), to launch The HUB, a sustainable mixed-use urban hospitality project in Jacksonville’s Brooklyn neighborhood.
Located at the northwest corner of Forest Street and Riverside Avenue, the 11,000-square-foot development, designed by CD+Urban LLC, will house three concepts from RHIG:
- 3,400-square-foot Southern Grounds & Co. coffee shop
- Blueberry Bakery
- A new restaurant called Alder & Oak
“This project allows Southern Grounds to truly embrace our core values,” Janasik shared with the audience.
“It’s an opportunity to create a sense of place and build a community.”
Cronk Duch emphasized the importance of culture and community in the project’s success, highlighting the role of Janasik and Southern Grounds in shaping its spirit.
“As architects, we plan the structure, but the true essence of the project lies in its operation,” said Duch.
“It’s about the culture and vision that brings people together. Mark and Southern Grounds will bring that to this project.”
As the building’s architect, CD+Urban/Cronk Duch will also lease a 2,400-square-foot design studio on the second floor, alongside a 1,000-square-foot rooftop terrace/event space with views of the courtyards and communal areas.
Construction permits for the site were issued by Jacksonville on January 3, 2023, with Danis Construction LLC initially handling the development of three shell buildings at 400 Riverside Ave. for a cost of approximately $2.46 million.
However, RPC General Contractors, Inc. has since taken over the construction.
On October 18, 2023, the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) approved two grants under the Basic Retail Enhancement Program to support The HUB Brooklyn’s development. One grant, up to $84,200, will fund tenant improvements for Alder & Oak, which will occupy around 2,600 square feet of interior dining space and 3,200 square feet of covered outdoor dining.
Alder & Oak will specialize in Prohibition-era cocktails and wood-fired dishes with Mediterranean influences, focusing on elevating simple ingredients and bringing seasonal flavors to the menu.
Additionally, the DIA awarded $66,150 to Southern Grounds to build a 3,415-square-foot coffee shop and bakery on the first floor, with 2,400 square feet of indoor space, a 1,015-square-foot patio, and an 800-square-foot rooftop bar.
The partners aim to open the new Southern Grounds and Blueberry Bakery in about 10 to 12 months, with Alder & Oak expected to open within 18 months.
Learn more about other recent developments in Jacksonville: Emerald Station | Pearl Street District
