River City Marketplace
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 | This article needs to be updated. (May 2024) |
 | |
| Location | Jacksonville, Florida, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 30°28′39″N 81°38′27″W / 30.4775°N 81.6407°W |
| Opening date | November 17, 2006 |
| Management | RPT Realty |
| Owner | RPT Realty |
| No. of stores and services | 72 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 4 |
| Total retail floor area | 879,001 sq ft (82,000 m2) |
| No. of floors | 1 |
| Parking | 4,807 |
River City Marketplace (RCM) is a quasi-regional outdoor shopping mall in the Northside of Jacksonville, Florida and the only one north of the St. Johns River. It opened its doors on November 17, 2006 with three major anchor stores including Walmart, Lowe's and Regal Cinemas River City Marketplace 14. The fourth, Gander Mountain, opened ten months later and closed in 2017. The 125-acre (0.51 km2) shopping district is located south of Airport Road on the east side of Interstate 95, two miles (3 km) east of Jacksonville International Airport (JIA). When Phase II is fully built out, the project will have cost over $300 million to build and boast more than 100 retailers.[1]
Original plans
[edit]The original plan for the $300 million, 425-acre (1.72 km2) mixed-use project included a 125-acre (0.51 km2) shopping district, 900 residential units, 300 hotel rooms, and 133,000 ft2 of light industrial space. The retail center, developed by Ramco Gershenson, will eventually include 1,130,000 square feet (105,000 m2) of retail space and should attract shoppers from Nassau County and southeast Georgia.[2]
Movies
[edit]Hollywood Theaters built a 62,000 sq ft (5,800 m2) stand-alone building at the mall's south end. All 14 screens featured stadium seating when it opened on September 21, 2006.[3] Portland, Oregon-based Hollywood Theaters planned to spend nearly $14 million on the project, which is managed by Wallace Theaters.[4] In 2013, it was purchased by Regal Entertainment Group to become Regal Cinemas River City Marketplace 14.[5] In August 2022, the theater closed its doors, and was later confirmed to be the site of a previously approved BJ's Wholesale Club location. It was demolished in December 2022 to make way for the new construction.[6]
Current status
[edit]While the RCM that exists today is not exactly what the "developers originally intended", it "is still the largest shopping center to be constructed on [Jacksonville’s] Northside" and provides "an array of retail destinations that previously" were only available across the river or in Orange Park, a drive of approximately 20 minutes.[7] One residential complex has been opened, with another on hold until the financial crisis of 2007–08 abates.
As of 2024, there are now 72 stores, including new additions like Ulta Beauty, Five Below, and Burlington. A HomeGoods store replaced the former Bed Bath & Beyond, and a Sportsman’s Warehouse opened in the space previously occupied by Gander Mountain. The mall remains a key retail hub for residents in North Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.
In January 2024 Kimco Realty completed the acquisition of RPT, adding River City Marketplace to their portfolio.
References
[edit]- ^ Jacksonville Business Journal: Apr 8, 2005-Simon finishes $10 million renovation of The Avenues
- ^ Florida Times-Union: November 18, 2006- North Jacksonville's only shopping plaza opens; It's about time, residents say by Diana Middleton
- ^ Soergel, Matt (September 21, 2006). "Movies find their way to Northside". Florida Times Union. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
- ^ Calnan, Christopher (October 22, 2005). "DEVELOPMENT: Movie relief for Northside". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
- ^ "I Stock Analyst - Magazine 2022".
- ^ "BJ's Wholesale Club OK'd for $8 million construction in North Jacksonville". Jax Daily Record. April 20, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Introducing River City Marketplace