JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two years, five months and seven days after fire ripped through Downtown Jacksonville’s Rise Doro apartment complex, city and development leaders celebrated its opening on the rooftop of a completed structure that already had residents inside.
The Jacksonville Daily Record, our news partners, reported that the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Thursday, about two months after the first resident moved in.
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As of the event, the complex at 960 E. Adams St. had filled around 20% of its 247 rooms, said Greg Blais, Rise’s president.
“We made a commitment to Jacksonville,” Blais said. “We committed to Downtown, and working with the DIA and the City Council and the mayor’s office has afforded us an opportunity to take another swing at the pitch, and we’re so glad we did.”
The apartment complex offers rents starting at $1,349 for a studio, $1,735 for a one-bedroom unit and $2,390 for a two-bedroom unit.
Rise Doro’s amenities include a rooftop pool and gym, a ground-floor outdoor lounge area, a coworking space, a lounge and more.
Standing on the apartment’s rooftop with Downtown’s skyline and Everbank Stadium in view, Mayor Donna Deegan praised the apartment’s rebuilding effort as a sign of things to come in Downtown.
“We are not defined by setbacks. We are defined by what we do next. When challenges come, we meet them, and we get back to work,” Deegan said. “We build, and this building stands as a reminder of that grit.”
Overcoming challenges after the fire
The fire devastated the complex, leaving much of the structure in ruins.
Blais and his team found themselves navigating insurance claims, securing support from investors, and determining whether the project could be rebuilt.
“We were navigating challenges we’d never faced before—insurance claims, deciding if we could rebuild, and making sure our investors and banks were still with us,” Blais explained.
Despite these hurdles, construction crews broke ground on the project in mid-January, and the team is targeting a spring 2026 completion date for welcoming new residents.
According to the Daily Record, the Jacksonville City Council approved a $15.45 million incentives package in September 2024 to rebuild the 247-unit development, which also will include 4,700 square feet of retail space on the ground floor and a seven-story parking garage that survived the fire.
Salvaging parts of the original structure
While the fire destroyed much of the original building, Blais said there were some important victories in salvaging materials.
For example, construction crews managed to save a significant amount of concrete in the parking garage, as well as metal frames from the townhome section.
“We had just installed furniture in the amenity spaces and leasing office, and we were able to salvage all of that, which was a win,” Blais said. “Additionally, the townhome section, which uses metal frame construction, was largely salvageable. Since we started construction on January 13, shoring that up has been a key focus.”
Investigators unable to determine cause
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, though speculation points to an electrical issue.
Despite the lingering questions, Blais expressed gratitude for the support RISE received from the City of Jacksonville,which provided $1 million in emergency relief for demolition.
Additional grants have helped push the project forward.
“All the concrete work is done. The parking deck and podium remain in place, along with much of the amenity areas and management offices,” Blais said. “What you’ll see over the next few months is the wood frame construction, which will closely resemble the original design for the Doro.”
Commitment to Jacksonville remains strong
Blais said RISE moved its corporate headquarters to Jacksonville to oversee the rebuild and remains fully committed to the city.
The City of Jacksonville sent the following statement:
“The City of Jacksonville is looking forward to RISE Doro being rebuilt. It is one of many projects that are underway to bring more people to live, work, and play in a vibrant and thriving downtown.
The incentive agreement with DIA requires construction to begin by the end of March 2025. They have permits and recently closed on their financing. The next step is for construction to begin, which we understand is imminent.”
Over the next 18 months, his team and city leaders will closely monitor the project to ensure it stays on track.
MORE | DIA to discuss $15M incentive package to help rebuild RISE Doro apartments
Despite the challenges of the past year, Blais said the focus remains on delivering a project that meets the original vision—a luxury apartment complex that enhances Jacksonville’s downtown sports district.