Downtown Vision Inc. (DVI), Downtown Jacksonville’s Business Improvement District (BID), announced their ninth annual #DTJax Award Winners. The #DTJax Awards honor and celebrate the community leaders, businesses, organizations, entrepreneurs, and projects that contribute to the transformation and vibrancy of Downtown Jacksonville. The #DTJax Award winners consistently demonstrate their commitment creating and supporting a safe, clean and dynamic Downtown Jacksonville.
Downtown Achievement Award: Alex Sifakis
As the founder and president of JWB Real Estate Companies, Alex Sifakis has led the company to become the premier residential homebuyer and infill builder in Northeast Florida. Over the past 17 years, JWB has purchased more than 4,000 properties and completed more than $1 billion in development in Northeast Florida. A leader in producing affordable housing without government subsidies, Sifakis led JWB to win the 2017 Affordable Housing Award from NEFBA. JWB has invested heavily in Downtown Jacksonville, since first buying Sweet Pete’s Candy Co. in 2019. Since then, JWB has completed more than $30 million in Downtown development, including The Federal Reserve Building, 218 Church Street, The Porter House Mansion and Johnson Commons. JWB is the founder and principal of Gateway Jax, a fund that has purchased more than 30 acres Downtown with plans to break ground on a $500 million first phase of The Pearl District in Downtown’s NoreCore neighborhood in 2024. Sifakis’ exceptional contributions were acknowledged in 2022 when he received the Klechak Award from the Downtown Investment Authority through NAIOP, showcasing his outstanding leadership and advocacy for the economic growth and vitality of Downtown Jacksonville.
This award recognizes an individual or organization for a significant body of work that reinforces Downtown as the premier center for arts, dining, retail, entertainment, business and urban living in Northeast Florida.
Winners were celebrated November 30th, 2023 at The Lark Downtown Jacksonville. The 2023 #DTJax Awards were made possible by VyStar Credit Union, First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, JEA, Visit Jacksonville, Steve & Betsy Crosby, The Lark, Sight & Sound Productions, and 360 Photo Booth. For more information about the #DTJax Awards and previous winners, visit DTJaxAwards.com