Jacksonville Landing facts for kids
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| Location | Downtown Jacksonville, Florida United States |
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| Coordinates | 30°19′30″N 81°39′35″W / 30.3250°N 81.6598°W |
| Address | 2 W Independent Drive |
| Opening date | June 25, 1987 |
| Closing date | July 5, 2019 |
| Developer | The Rouse Co. |
| Management | City of Jacksonville |
| Owner | City of Jacksonville |
| Architect | Benjamin Thompson and Associates, Inc. |
| No. of stores and services | 65+ |
| Total retail floor area | 126,000 square feet (11,700 m2) |
| No. of floors | 2 |
The Jacksonville Landing was a popular shopping and entertainment spot in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida. People often called it The Landing. It was built right on the Jacksonville Riverwalk, next to the beautiful St. Johns River.
The Landing was created by a company called Rouse, which built similar places in other big cities like New York City and Boston. It opened its doors in 1987 and was a lively place for many years. However, it officially closed in 2019, and the building was taken down later that year.
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History of The Landing
The Jacksonville Landing was designed by the Rouse Company, a famous developer. It opened on June 25, 1987, with a big celebration. The city of Jacksonville worked with the Rouse Company to build it, hoping it would bring new life to the downtown area.
When it first opened, The Landing had many stores that you would find in a regular shopping mall. It also had a large area on the second floor called the Founders Food Hall, which was a food court with many different restaurants. You could even sit outside and enjoy views of the river and a central fountain.
Over time, some of the food court restaurants closed. The second floor also had a video arcade for a while. Eventually, the food court closed completely.
Changes in Ownership
In 2003, the Rouse Company sold The Jacksonville Landing to a local developer named Toney Sleiman. There were some disagreements about parking spaces that the city had promised, which took several years to sort out. The city council eventually helped resolve the issue in 2010.
The Landing's Final Years
In 2018, the City of Jacksonville said that The Landing was not following its lease agreement. This led to discussions about its future.
A very sad event happened at The Landing in August 2018 during a video game tournament. This event deeply affected the community and was a factor in the decision to close The Landing.
In early 2019, the city of Jacksonville and Sleiman Enterprises agreed that the city would take back ownership of The Landing. The plan was to buy out the remaining businesses and then tear down the building to make way for new developments.
By May 2019, the city asked the remaining businesses to move out. The Landing officially closed after the July 4th celebrations that year, as it was a popular spot for watching fireworks. Demolition of the building began in October 2019.
Future Plans for the Site
After The Landing was torn down, Jacksonville's Mayor Lenny Curry shared ideas for what might be built there next. He suggested a mix of green spaces, new buildings, restaurants, and maybe even a museum. The goal is to create something special that allows people to enjoy the beautiful river view from downtown.
What The Landing Offered
The Jacksonville Landing was a two-story building with a distinctive orange roof, located right on the north bank of the St. Johns River. It once had over 65 stores, many restaurants, and lots of entertainment.
Visitors and Popularity
Many people from Jacksonville and the surrounding areas visited The Landing. It was a popular spot for downtown office workers and tourists alike. For many years, it was considered an important landmark and attraction in Northeast Florida.
Fun Events and Activities
The Landing was famous for hosting more than 300 events every year! These included big celebrations like:
- Florida/Georgia Weekend Celebrations
- The annual Christmas Tree Lighting
- New Year’s Eve parties
- Gator Bowl Celebrations
- St. Patrick’s Day events
- The Jacksonville Jazz Festival
- July 4th fireworks displays
There was also live music in the central courtyard every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Bands played all kinds of music, from classic rock to jazz. The Landing also hosted bigger concerts with national country and classic rock artists.
For a while, The Landing even hosted a Farmer's Market every Friday, where people could buy fresh produce from local vendors. It also supported community events like charity walks and the Earth Day Ecology Fair.
A Home for History
For several years, The Landing provided space for the Jacksonville Maritime Museum. The museum displayed its collection of large model ships, which was a great way to share history with visitors. The museum moved a few times within The Landing as new stores came in, but it helped bring more people to the marketplace. The museum later returned to The Landing in 2011, before the building's final closure.
Images for kids
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View of Jacksonville Landing from the river
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Looking West at Jacksonville Landing fountain
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View of Main Street Bridge from the Jacksonville Landing
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Statue of President Andrew Jackson in front of the marketplace
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The 2016 Christmas tree lighting located near the Acosta Bridge
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At night from across the St. Johns River
