How Fleet Landing Wants to Redefine Retirement in Downtown Jacksonville
Imagine waking up to sunrise views over the St. Johns River, sipping your morning coffee as joggers pass along the Riverwalk and the city skyline reflects off the water. This isn’t some far-off dream, it’s the future vision that Fleet Landing wants to bring to Jacksonville’s Southbank.
The nonprofit senior living provider is making waves with a bold $20 million bid to buy and redevelop the current Duval County Public Schools headquarters at 1701 Prudential Drive. But this isn’t just about real estate, it’s about reinventing what retirement looks like in a reawakened downtown.
Fleet Landing plans to replace the aging six-story building with a vibrant, modern retirement community right in the heart of a neighborhood that’s buzzing with energy, art, and riverfront growth.
And let’s be honest: It’s about time.Today’s older adults are more active and socially connected than ever and Fleet Landing knows it. Already known for their chic Atlantic Beach campus and a $148 million community rising in Nocatee, they want to turn downtown into the next great address for stylish, urban-minded retirees.
Forget isolated suburbs. The Southbank’s shift into a walkable, live-work-play district makes it the perfect place for seniors who want more than shuffleboard and shared dining. Think rooftop terraces, fitness studios with river views, access to theater, galleries, concerts, and farmers markets all within walking distance.
“I never imagined I’d want to live downtown again,” says Linda Reyes, 72, a Fleet Landing resident and retired architect. “But when I heard about this new project on the river I thought, why not? I spent my career designing buildings. Now I want to live in one that inspires me every day.”
Aging With Intention and a View
This isn’t just about buildings. It’s about a lifestyle shift.
Fleet Landing’s concept represents a new era of aging with autonomy.
“My wife and I love going to the Riverside Arts Market and the symphony,” shares Charles Benson, 68, a former Navy officer. “Living downtown means we can walk to half the things we already drive to. It’s not just convenient, it feels alive.”
The Future Is Fluid and Waterfront
The district’s current headquarters will be vacated in 2026, making room for one of the most exciting additions to Jacksonville’s downtown revival if the contract is approved.
“We’re not looking to retire from life,” says Judy Emerson, 74. “We’re looking to retire into a better one.”
So, here’s to a new view. Because when older adults move downtown, they’re not stepping back. They’re stepping into the center of it all.
