After months of deferrals by City Council, a deal is in the works for the sale and rehabilitation of the Bostwick Building. Hot off the presses, here is the newest information on the potential next steps to turn this landmark building into a Downtown destination:
Potential Bostwick buyer remembers when Downtown was ‘where it was at’
– Ashley Gurbal Kritzer, Jacksonville Business Journal, May 8, 2013
A Northeast Florida native, Jacques Klempf is nostalgic for the way Downtown Jacksonville used to be.
That’s why he not only believes in revitalization efforts, but is attempting to put his own stake in the ground in the city center: He and the other partners of Ovinte Wine Lounge are under contract to acquire the Bostwick Building in Downtown Jacksonville, with plans to renovate it into a restaurant.
Ovinte partners want to buy the Bostwick Building for restaurant development
– David Chapman, Daily Record, May 8, 2013
Jacques Klempf, Chad Munsey and Fraser Burns, partners in the Ovinte wine, cocktails and tapas lounge at the St. Johns Town Center, have been identified as the purchasing group under contract for the Bostwick Building.
The buyers said they haven’t developed a concept for the building, other than it will be restaurant.
“We just think it’s a great venue and it just has great access, visibility and we feel like we can put a concept there that will really be great for the city,” Klempf said. “We’re going to restore the building … and put what I think is going to be the nicest restaurant in the city.”
He said the group wanted to restore the building to its natural façade.
Check out this recent slideshow of the Bostwick Building interior, to see the current state of the building (and to imagine the possibilities).