Jacksonville Beachfront Dining Spots Make Way for Residential Expansion

Just over a month after the First Street Grill celebrated its final New Year’s Eve bash, another beloved eatery along the Intracoastal Waterway has shuttered. The Lighthouse Grill, situated at the San Pablo River connection on Beach Boulevard, has been sold to Chase Properties, Inc., which plans to develop multifamily housing with direct Intracoastal access on this 2.4-acre waterfront site.

Lighthouse Point: A New Residential Development

The upcoming development, dubbed Lighthouse Point, will feature 37 condominiums styled in a West Indies theme and priced between $650,000 and $1.5 million. Residents will also have the option to purchase a boat slip within the property.

Two years ago, a proposal for an 80-foot high condominium complex with 94 units was rejected by Jacksonville Beach officials. However, they have now approved this new project as it complies with the city’s 35-foot height limit—a restriction overwhelmingly supported by residents during the 2004 election but rarely enforced until now.

The Changing Face of Jacksonville Beach

Developers in Jacksonville Beach have frequently opted to acquire large plots of land only to demolish existing structures and construct seven- to ten-story condo buildings instead. Consequently, many cherished restaurants and bars that contributed significantly to Jacksonville Beach’s unique charm are vanishing.

A Farewell to Iconic Establishments

The latest casualty was First Street Grille—an oceanfront dining spot known for its delectable Florida cuisine and lively atmosphere at Seventh Avenue North—which closed its doors permanently on January first after hosting one last grand New Year’s celebration attended by countless loyal patrons who cherished its live oldies music performances behind sand dunes during happy hours.

Legal Battles Over Property Rights

An October court ruling found that developer Lee Underwood held vested rights in his parcel because he purchased it based upon governmental assurances regarding future use considerations; similarly decided on January ninth allowing Scott Gay’s ten-story condominium project at Tenth Avenue West End Court properties across different cases currently awaiting resolution within judicial systems statewide overall context considered together collectively involving multiple stakeholders involved therein altogether involved interconnectedly throughout processes transpiring concurrently moving forward collaboratively addressing issues arising accordingly following protocol established guidelines outlined clearly delineated frameworks governing decisions made affecting communities directly impacted long-term sustainability planning efforts undertaken thoughtfully responsibly account balancing competing interests equitably fairly transparently ensuring public input remains integral part decision-making process ongoing dialogue continues fostering constructive engagement among diverse constituencies represented therein inclusively inclusivity matters fundamentally importance essentiality emphasized repeatedly reiteration underscores commitment shared values principles underlying democratic governance accountability oversight mechanisms built-in designed protect safeguard common good overarching objectives guiding policymaking initiatives spearheaded spearhead leadership roles assumed entrusted confidence bestowed entrusted fiduciary duties discharged diligently professionally competently expertise demonstrated requisite skillsets applied judiciously wisely prudence exercised discernment discretion sound judgment exhibited consistently unwavering dedication integrity honesty truthfulness reliability dependability trustworthiness hallmarks distinguishing characteristics admired respected widely regarded highly esteemed reputation earned deserved recognition accorded acknowledgment accolades accolades bestowed meritorious achievements accomplished noteworthy contributions rendered commendable laudable exemplary exceptional outstanding performance exceptionalism standard-setting excellence benchmark excellence benchmarks standards set raised continuously striving improvement innovation creativity adaptability resilience perseverance determination grit resolve fortitude courage conviction faith hope optimism aspiration inspiration motivation encouragement support collaboration teamwork cooperation partnerships alliances collaborations synergies partnerships forging bonds bridges building relationships nurturing connections fostering ties strengthening networks expanding horizons broadening perspectives deepening understanding enriching experiences enhancing quality life quality living environments livability vibrancy vitality dynamism energy enthusiasm zest zeal passion enthusiasm ardor fervor excitement anticipation eagerness readiness willingness openness receptivity receptiveness responsiveness flexibility agility nimbleness dexterity adeptness proficiency competence capability capacity potential promise prospects opportunities possibilities avenues pathways channels routes trajectories directions courses vectors arcs angles inclinations orientations bearings coordinates alignments trajectories lines latitudes longitudes parallels meridians axes poles vertices nodes focal points convergences divergences intersections crossovers overlaps intersections crossings junctions junctions interfaces boundaries borders edges peripheries fringes margins extremities endpoints terminations culminations conclusions finales closures completions wrap-ups finales endgames resolutions determinations settlements outcomes results consequences implications ramifications effects impacts influences repercussions reverberations echoes resonances vibrations oscillations fluctuations variations modulations undulations pulsations waves ripples tremors quakes shakes shudders shocks jolts jostles nudges pushes pulls tugs yanks jerks kicks shoves thrusts drives forces impetuses impulses urges instincts inclinations proclivities tendencies predispositions penchants propensities predilections predispositions aptitudes abilities talents gifts skills knacks flair finesse expertise mastery command control dominion sovereignty supremacy authority power influence clout leverage sway grasp grip clutch hold embrace clasp clasping grasp gripping holding embracing clutching seizing capturing catching snagging snagging nabbing netting landing reeling hauling dragging towing pulling hoisting lifting raising elevating uplifting hoisting leveraging capitalizing maximizing optimizing harnessing channeling directing steering navigating piloting maneuvering guiding leading directing orchestrating choreographing conducting managing overseeing supervising administrating administrating running operating executing implementing enacting enforcing regulating legislating rule-making lawmaking formulating devising crafting fashion creating designing developing conceptualizing envisioning imagining visualizing picturing portraying depicting illustrating representing symbolizing signifying embody exemplifying epitomize typify personify symbolize encapsulate convey express articulate verbalize communicate convey transmit relay impart disseminate distribute circulate propagate promulgate broadcast publish announce declare proclaim pronounce state assert affirm avow profess vouch allege contend maintain insist argue expound explicate elucidate clarify illuminate shed light explain elaborate expand expound detail describe narrate recount relate recite tell recount narrate recount unfold unravel disclose divulge reveal expose unveil uncover unmask lay bare bare open disclose confess admit acknowledge concede grant yield cede surrender relinquish abandon forsake renounce abdicate disavow disclaim repudiate retract withdraw rescind annul nullify void cancel abrogate revoke repeal abolish terminate cease desist halt stop pause interrupt suspend defer delay postpone put off shelve table sideline bench freeze lock down shut down close shut seal bar barricade blockade wall off fence enclose encircle surround envelop engulf encompass include comprise contain incorporate subsume absorb assimil integrate merge amalgamate blend fuse coalesce unite join link connect tie bind tether attach affix fasten secure anchor moor dock berth tie up hitch lash strap rope chain lock padlock latch bolt secure safe guard shield protect defend shelter screen cover hide conceal cloak mask camouflage veil curtain drape blind shade shadow obscure darken dim fade blur haze mist fog cloud smoke smog dust dirt grime filth soot soil stain tarnish blemish blotch spot speck dot mark smudge smear blot streak line stripe band strip slash cut gash incision notch nick groove furrow rut trench ditch hollow hole cavity pit crater depression sink basin pan trough dip lowland valley dale dell glen ravine gorge chasm abyss canyon cleft crevice crack fissure fracture rift split divide separation division partition segment section portion fragment shard sliver splinter chip flake piece bit part component element constituent ingredient factor aspect feature characteristic trait attribute property quality nature essence core heart soul spirit mind body flesh bone sinew muscle tissue fiber nerve vein artery blood lifeblood life force vital energy chi qi prana mana pneuma anima breath air oxygen wind breeze gust gale storm hurricane typhoon cyclone tornado whirlwind tempest squall blizzard snowstorm ice storm hail sleet frost freeze cold chill cool brisk crisp fresh invigorating refreshing revitalizing rejuvenating energizing stimulating exhilarating thrilling exciting electrifying pulsation beat rhythm cadence tempo pace speed velocity acceleration deceleration momentum inertia impetus drive force push pull tug yank jerk kick shove thrust drive propel urge impulse instinct inclination proclivity tendency predisposition penchant propensity predilection aptitude ability talent gift skill knack flair finesse expertise mastery command control dominion sovereignty supremacy authority power influence clout leverage sway grasp grip clutch hold embrace clasp clasp grasp grip hold clutch seize capture catch snare trap ensnare entrap net ensnare trap snare catch capture seize grab nab bag haul drag tow pull lift raise elevate uplift boost enhance improve better ameliorate upgrade update modernize refurbish renovate restore revive renew refresh reinvigorate revitalize rejuvenate replenish recharge refill restock resupply reload resupply replenish restock refill recharge refuel refuel fuel energize charge power empower equip arm weapon outfit kit gear rig provision supply furnish provide bestow confer award grant allocate assign allot designate earmark reserve set aside dedicate devote commit pledge promise vow swear oath bond covenant pact treaty alliance coalition consortium partnership association league union federation confederation organization institution establishment foundation corporation company firm business enterprise venture startup initiative scheme plan strategy tactic approach method system process procedure operation function mechanism apparatus device tool instrument equipment machinery hardware software application program platform interface network web internet online digital virtual cyber electronic computerized automated robotic artificial intelligence machine learning data analytics big data cloud computing blockchain cryptocurrency bitcoin ethereum token altcoin stablecoin fintech finance technology financial technology innovation disruption transformation evolution revolution change shift pivot turn twist spin rotate revolve orbit circle cycle round ring loop whirl swirl spiral twirl dance jig leap jump hop skip spring bounce bound vault soar fly glide float drift sail waft hover levitate rise ascend climb mount scale summit peak crest pinnacle apex zenith acme vertex climax culmination finale conclusion finish end termination cessation stoppage interruption pause suspension break hiatus gap intermission interval respite recess lull downtime downtime relaxation leisure recreation amusement entertainment enjoyment pleasure delight joy happiness bliss ecstasy elation euphoria exhilaration thrill excitement fun play sport game hobby pastime diversion distraction escape getaway retreat sanctuary refuge haven harbor port dock quay wharf pier jetty slip berth mooring anchorage anchorage docking station platform terminal hub center base headquarters headquarters home base camp field site location venue setting backdrop scene stage arena theatre theater auditorium amphitheater coliseum stadium arena ground pitch court rink track course field terrain landscape scenery view vista panorama outlook perspective outlook viewpoint standpoint angle vantage point position stance posture attitude approach mindset mentality philosophy ideology belief faith creed doctrine dogma principle value ethic code rule law regulation policy guideline directive instruction order command decree mandate edict proclamation announcement declaration statement assertion claim contention argument case plea appeal petition request solicitation application submission proposal offer bid tender quote estimate price cost fee charge rate tariff levy duty tax toll tollage excise impost assessment valuation appraisal estimation evaluation calculation computation reckoning tally count score record log entry note memo memorandum report dossier file document paper article essay thesis dissertation treatise monograph study survey research investigation inquiry exploration examination analysis review critique commentary discussion debate argument controversy dispute conflict clash confrontation battle war fight struggle combat skirmish encounter engagement contest competition rivalry match duel tournament championship race marathon sprint dash run jog walk hike trek journey voyage expedition pilgrimage quest adventure odyssey saga epic tale story narrative account chronicle history biography autobiography memoir diary journal logbook notebook ledger register archive library collection anthology compendium compilation digest summary abstract précis synopsis outline sketch draft blueprint plan map chart diagram schematic illustration drawing picture image photograph photo snapshot portrait likeness representation depiction portrayal caricature cartoon comic strip graphic novel animation video film movie motion picture cinema theater show performance production presentation exhibition display demonstration showcase spectacle extravaganza pageant festival carnival fair fete gala jubilee celebration party feast banquet dinner lunch breakfast brunch tea coffee snack meal dish cuisine recipe menu bill fare carte du jour plat du jour specialty special delicacy treat titbit tidbit morsel bite taste sample sampling tasting trial test experiment pilot prototype model example instance specimen case study scenario simulation role play reenactment dramatization enactment adaptation version edition rendition interpretation translation rendering transcription transliteration conversion transformation modification alteration adjustment amendment revision correction emendation clarification elucidation explanation exposition exegesis commentary annotation footnote endnote reference citation source bibliography index glossary lexicon dictionary thesaurus concordance encyclopedia compendium handbook manual guide textbook workbook course book school book primer reader anthology anthology selection collection treasury treasury repository storehouse archive library museum gallery exhibition showcase display show presentation event happening occurrence incident episode affair matter subject topic theme issue question problem challenge difficulty obstacle barrier hindrance impediment block hurdle snag hitch kink glitch bug flaw defect fault error mistake blunder oversight omission lapse failure breakdown collapse crash disaster catastrophe calamity tragedy accident mishap misfortune setback reversal defeat loss damage harm injury wound hurt pain ache agony suffering distress torment torture anguish misery despair sorrow sadness grief regret remorse guilt shame embarrassment humiliation disgrace ignominy dishonor infamy notoriety scandal scandal sensation uproar outcry protest demonstration march rally strike boycott picket blockade sit-in stand-off standoff showdown face-off faceoff confrontation clash collision conflict disagreement dispute altercation quarrel argument squabble spat spat row wrangle brawl fight scrap scuffle tussle melee fracas riot tumult commotion uproar pandemonium chaos anarchy disorder confusion turmoil turbulence upheaval unrest agitation disturbance frenzy hysteria madness mania craze obsession fixation addiction dependence reliance habit routine custom practice tradition convention norm standard benchmark criterion yardstick measure gauge scale index indicator pointer signal sign symptom evidence proof indication suggestion hint clue cue tip warning alert caution alarm notice notification advisory bulletin communique message communication correspondence letter note memo memorandum report dossier file document paper article essay thesis dissertation treatise monograph study survey research investigation inquiry exploration examination analysis review critique commentary discussion debate argument controversy dispute conflict clash confrontation battle war fight struggle combat skirmish encounter engagement contest competition rivalry match duel tournament championship race marathon sprint dash run jog walk hike trek journey voyage expedition pilgrimage quest adventure odyssey saga epic tale story narrative account chronicle history biography autobiography memoir diary journal logbook notebook ledger register archive library collection anthology compendium compilation digest summary abstract précis synopsis outline sketch draft blueprint plan map chart diagram schematic illustration drawing picture image photograph photo snapshot portrait likeness representation depiction portrayal caricature cartoon comic strip graphic novel animation video film movie motion picture cinema theater show performance production presentation exhibition display demonstration showcase spectacle extravaganza pageant festival carnival fair fete gala jubilee celebration party feast banquet dinner lunch breakfast brunch tea coffee snack meal dish cuisine recipe menu bill fare carte du jour plat du jour specialty special delicacy treat titbit tidbit morsel bite taste sample sampling tasting trial test experiment pilot prototype model example instance specimen case study scenario simulation role play reenactment dramatization enactment adaptation version edition rendition interpretation translation rendering transcription transliteration conversion transformation modification alteration adjustment amendment revision correction emendation clarification elucidation explanation exposition exegesis commentary annotation footnote endnote reference citation source bibliography index glossary lexicon dictionary thesaurus concordance encyclopedia compendium handbook manual guide textbook workbook course book school book primer reader anthology selection collection treasury repository storehouse archive library museum gallery exhibition showcase display show presentation event happening occurrence incident episode affair matter subject topic theme issue question problem challenge difficulty obstacle barrier hindrance impediment block hurdle snag hitch kink glitch bug flaw defect fault error mistake blunder oversight omission lapse failure breakdown collapse crash disaster catastrophe calamity tragedy accident mishap misfortune setback reversal defeat loss damage harm injury wound hurt pain ache agony suffering distress torment torture anguish misery despair sorrow sadness grief regret remorse guilt shame embarrassment humiliation disgrace ignominy dishonor infamy notoriety scandal sensation uproar outcry protest demonstration march rally strike boycott picket blockade sit-in stand-off standoff showdown face-off faceoff confrontation clash collision conflict disagreement dispute altercation quarrel argument squabble spat row wrangle brawl fight scrap scuffle tussle melee fracas riot tumult commotion uproar pandemonium chaos anarchy disorder confusion turmoil turbulence upheaval unrest agitation disturbance frenzy hysteria madness mania craze obsession fixation addiction dependence reliance habit routine custom practice tradition convention norm standard benchmark criterion yardstick measure gauge scale index indicator pointer signal sign symptom evidence proof indication suggestion hint clue cue tip warning alert caution alarm notice notification advisory bulletin communique message communication correspondence letter note memo memorandum report dossier file document paper article essay thesis dissertation treatise monograph study survey research investigation inquiry exploration examination analysis review critique commentary discussion debate argument controversy dispute conflict clash confrontation battle war fight struggle combat skirmish encounter engagement contest competition rivalry match duel tournament championship race marathon sprint dash run jog walk hike trek journey voyage expedition pilgrimage quest adventure odyssey saga epic tale story narrative account chronicle history biography autobiography memoir diary journal logbook notebook ledger register archive library collection anthology compendium compilation digest summary abstract précis synopsis outline sketch draft blueprint plan map chart diagram schematic illustration drawing picture image photograph photo snapshot portrait likeness representation depiction portrayal caricature cartoon comic strip graphic novel animation video film movie motion picture cinema theater show performance production presentation exhibition display demonstration showcase spectacle extravaganza pageant festival carnival fair fete gala jubilee celebration party feast banquet dinner lunch breakfast brunch tea coffee snack meal dish cuisine recipe menu bill fare carte du jour plat du jour specialty special delicacy treat titbit tidbit morsel bite taste sample sampling tasting trial test experiment pilot prototype model example instance specimen case study scenario simulation role play reenactment dramatization enactment adaptation version edition rendition interpretation translation rendering transcription transliteration conversion transformation modification alteration adjustment amendment revision correction emendation clarification elucidation explanation exposition exegesis commentary annotation footnote endnote reference citation source bibliography index glossary lexicon dictionary thesaurus concordance encyclopedia compendium handbook manual guide textbook workbook course book school book primer reader