Four Seasons partners with Shahid Khan to build new Florida hotel

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, together with Shahid Khan through Iguana Investments Florida LLC (Iguana Investments), has announced plans for a new hotel and private residences in Jacksonville, Florida.

Slated to open in 2026, Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jacksonville will play a key role in the development of the Jacksonville Shipyards while ushering in the next chapter for Downtown Jacksonville. 

The property will be the second Four Seasons property for Khan, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. 

In September 2016, Khan purchased full ownership of Four Seasons Hotel Toronto.

Set on the banks of the St. Johns River, Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jacksonville will be the centerpiece of the Jacksonville Shipyards, located adjacent to the Sports Complex and proposed Stadium of the Future.

"Four Seasons is incredibly proud to bring our renowned service and hospitality offering to one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States," said Bart Carnahan, executive Vice President, global business development and portfolio management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. 

"As Jacksonville continues to enhance its offerings for people to live, work and play, we look forward to working with Mr. Khan to expand our presence in Florida and extend our long-time partnership together, contributing to the city's bright future and achieving our shared vision of building communities and creating exceptional luxury experiences."

Luxurious rooms and suites

Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jacksonville will offer 170 luxurious rooms and suites, 26 Private Residences, as well as four dining and lounge venues, including a signature rooftop restaurant and bar, all-day restaurant, pool bar and grill, and lobby bar..

Other on-site features will include a spa; multiple outdoor pools with cabana service; a gym; expansive meeting and event space; and the Kids For All Seasons Program with activities dedicated to younger guests. 

HKS, the lead design architect, has worked previously on Four Seasons projects in The Bahamas, Hawaii, Orlando, Denver, among others. HKS is partnering with ODA Architecture for interior design and EDSA for landscape design. 

Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jacksonville will join the brand’s existing collection of properties in the Sunshine State, which includes hotels in Orlando, Palm Beach, Surfside, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale as well as an upcoming resort in Naples.

Jacksonville Shipyards development

In addition to Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jacksonville, Phase One of the Jacksonville Shipyards will comprise a six-storey office building, a revamped full-service marina, a reinvigorated Metropolitan Park, a marina services building and a public park.

The project will feature park space and walking paths connecting to the riverwalk, which will span from Downtown Jacksonville to Metropolitan Park. 

Phase Two of the Jacksonville Shipyards will include a five-acre (two-hectare) property slated for mixed-use development. 

Led by Khan, the project is expected to create hundreds of new jobs, generate vital tourism revenue, attract residents and spark additional opportunities for emerging local businesses – all with Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jacksonville at centre stage in Downtown Jacksonville.

"I have immense love and respect for Jacksonville and Four Seasons alike," Khan said. 

"So, for me, it's always been about connecting the two, because they have so much to offer each other."

"Four Seasons is an iconic brand that will redefine Downtown Jacksonville and provide a luxury destination that we have been unable to offer until now. Jacksonville, in turn, will offer the new Four Seasons Hotel a spectacular setting on the banks of the St. Johns River and provide our entire community a reason to rally around the Shipyards, the Stadium of the Future and the overall future of Downtown Jacksonville. I've said all along that Four Seasons will be a game-changer for Jacksonville, and the change begins now."

For more info, click here.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.