Gateway Jax, a Jacksonville-based commercial real estate development firm, today announced that it has signed a lease with Publix as the full-service grocery anchor for Pearl Square, the walkable, mixed-use neighborhood rising in Downtown Jacksonville. The Florida-based, employee-owned supermarket chain will bring a new 31,000-square-foot store at 119 W. Beaver Street.
Located between Hogan and Laura Streets, the new Publix will occupy a mixed-use building that will also include a 15-story residential tower with approximately 250 apartments and integrated parking with 400 spaces. The project is slated to commence construction in summer 2026.
“For 95 years, Publix has provided premier service and quality products in a welcoming store environment,” said Hannah Herring, Publix media relations manager. “We are excited to continue that legacy as part of the Pearl Square neighborhood.”
Publix’s arrival will fill a long-standing gap in full-service grocery access for residents of Downtown and surrounding urban neighborhoods — marking the first new construction grocery store in the area in more than a decade. The store represents a major milestone in the momentum of Pearl Square, the multibillion-dollar redevelopment effort that is transforming underutilized Downtown blocks into a connected, amenity-rich neighborhood.
Upon completion, Pearl Square will encompass more than 1,250 new residential units; approximately 200,000 square feet of retail tenants including restaurants, fitness and other daily amenities; and the revitalization of the historic Ambassador Hotel, a 100+ key boutique hotel. It will feature vibrant new public spaces, including widened and shaded sidewalks; lush public park spaces; and a signature curbless festival street with abundant outdoor dining possibilities.
“A grocery store is the heartbeat of any neighborhood,” said Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax. “The addition of Publix, already well-known and loved, is a game-changer for Downtown and an incredible step forward for Pearl Square. It brings everyday convenience and reinforces our commitment to building a complete, connected community that reflects the energy of Jacksonville.”
Gateway Jax began construction on the first two Pearl Square buildings, 515 Pearl Street and 425 Beaver Street, in late 2024 and spring 2025 with several additional buildings starting construction later this year and in 2026. The long-term plan represents more than $2 billion in investment over the next decade, reimagining Downtown Jacksonville as a place to live, work, shop and explore.
For Downtown developers and advocates alike, this announcement represents a significant moment in the neighborhood’s evolution.
“In 2020, when JWB started assembling the land that would eventually become Pearl Square, it was seen by many as a pipe dream. And it probably would have been — if not for the leadership of Bryan Moll, Nick Halloran, Eric Shullman and the rest of the Gateway Jax team. What they have already been able to accomplish in just a few years has been absolutely incredible, and I look forward to seeing them continue to knock down win after win for Pearl Square over the next few years,” said Alex Sifakis, President of JWB Real Estate Capital, a sponsor of Gateway Jax.
“At DLP Capital, we believe thriving communities are built on the foundation of everyday essentials—like access to quality, convenient groceries,” said Don Wenner, Founder and CEO of DLP Capital. “The addition of Publix to Pearl Square is more than a milestone; it’s a testament to the vision, leadership, and momentum Gateway Jax is driving in Downtown Jacksonville. We’re proud to support developments that uplift working families and transform neighborhoods into vibrant, connected places to live, work, and thrive.”
"It speaks volumes about this development — and about Gateway Jax as a whole — when a brand like Publix commits to being part of the transformation,” said Matthew Clark, Senior Vice President of Colliers Urban Division, which represents Gateway Jax in retail leasing for Pearl Square. “Their corporate team has spent meaningful time in Jacksonville, taking the time to truly understand the market and helping shape a compelling story for Pearl Square."
For updates and leasing information, visit pearlsquare.com.
About Publix Super Markets
Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 260,000 associates, currently operates 1,411 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. For 28 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s newsroom at corporate.publix.com/newsroom.
About Gateway Jax
Gateway Jax is a Jacksonville-based investment and development firm, created and sponsored by JWB Real Estate Capital and DLP Capital. Founded in 2022, its leadership brings decades of experience in urban real estate development across North America, focusing on developing dynamic, interconnected, and vibrant projects in walkable, mixed- use environments. Gateway Jax is committed to working in collaboration with residents and communities to build future-forward ways of working, living and playing. Learn more at gatewayjax.com.
About DLP Capital
DLP Capital is a private real estate investment firm focused on transforming lives through the building of Thriving Communities. Together with our investors, we finance, develop, construct, and operate safe, attainable rental housing for America’s working families—including multifamily, single-family, manufactured housing, and outdoor hospitality communities. With over $5.25 billion in assets under management and a track record of consistent returns, DLP Capital provides accredited investors with access to a suite of evergreen real estate investment funds. Through strategic partnerships and mission- aligned lending, we also empower other real estate sponsors to create housing solutions that improve lives. DLP Capital has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America for 12 consecutive years. The firm is headquartered in St. Augustine, Florida, with additional offices in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Asheville, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.dlpcapital.com.
About JWB Real Estate Capital
JWB Real Estate Capital was founded in 2006 in Jacksonville and has grown into one of the premier development companies in Northeast Florida. Its core business is providing passive real estate investments for its clients across the globe, and JWB currently has over $1.3 billion of assets under management for those clients. JWB is a leader in the affordable housing space, building hundreds of affordable rental homes every year and is currently developing over 2,300 single family lots and 1,300 multifamily units. With over 5,400 units undermanagement, affiliated company JWB Property Management is the largest single-family property management company in Jacksonville. JWB is very proud that over 90% of the rental units it manages are affordable to households making 80% or less of the Average Median Income (AMI). JWB has been named to the Inc. 5000 list 11 times, named a Best Places to Work eight times, and in 2022 was named a Florida EY Entrepreneur of the Yearaward winner. For more information visit www.JWBRealEstateCapital.com.