By Ben Strickland, Fall Marketing Intern
A bold gathering space worthy of Downtown Jacksonville’s sense of hope, community and celebration. Under its wings harbor the businesses that offered a helpful hand, and now continue to see success after reciprocated goodwill. At The Lark, an event venue located in the Bryan Building along Hogan Street, George Saoud celebrates Jacksonvillians’ special moments in Downtown Jacksonville with storied character.
Before he bought the building and opened the upstairs venue, George was a soon-to-be attorney on his way to the Federal Courthouse to get sworn in. When he found out he couldn’t bring his cell phone into the courthouse, he looked for a solution. The UPS Store, a tenant in the Bryan Building, agreed to hold onto his phone so he could make his appointment, a simple act that he valued and recalled years later.
While living in Los Angeles 10 years later, George decided to invest in Jacksonville real estate. “I saw this building for sale online, and I knew it right away because of that experience,” said George. He bought the building and set aside some space to use for The Lark, an area that puts celebrations on center stage. The UPS Store that helped George all those years ago now leases their space from the guy they helped out in a jam.
The Lark hosts a wide variety of events for those seeking a venue that is both historic and modern. From weddings and birthday parties to corporate gatherings, the space offers an urban backdrop overlooking James Weldon Johnson Park. “You walk in, and the lobby has an art-deco look, while upstairs has a completely different vibe,” said George. “People really gravitate toward that urban experience — the kind you might find in New York or Paris, but right here in Jacksonville.”
The venue also supports local artists by hosting art shows designed to give them the best chance of success. The Lark does not charge a commission, so all sales go directly to the artists. One notable event, The Soul Circuit, highlighted the work of prominent Jacksonville artists Dustin Harewood, Malcolm Jackson, Toni Smailagic and Jordan Walters.
Building on The Lark’s success, George recently opened The Cady Club on the Southbank, an event space that also functions as a café and wine bar on the first floor. The Cady Club hosts a variety of events, from salsa and trivia nights to larger celebrations like corporate parties, birthdays and weddings.
Through his work with these venues, George aims to celebrate life with a touch of Downtown Jacksonville hope — much like the bird the venue is named after. “To me, there’s nothing better than someone celebrating their most important occasions,” George said. “I just want [these spaces] to be places where people feel comfortable and happy, and leave wanting to come back.”