The Block Jax Receives FPZA First Coast Outstanding Design Award

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Block Jax, a mixed-use entertainment venue designed to provide outdoor recreation in North Florida and creating a shared space for residents and visitors, has received the Outstanding Design Award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FPZA) First Coast Chapter.

The award recognizes recently completed projects that demonstrate excellence in design and make a positive impact on the built environment.

This project transformed 2.5 acres into a family-friendly outdoor destination that brings dining, entertainment and recreation together in one space. Located near the St. Johns Town Center Master Development area, the venue features nine restaurants, an open pavilion with a stage for live performances, a large outdoor screen for sporting events and movie nights, a playground and pet friendly amenities.

Halff provided civil engineering, land planning and landscape architecture services for the project, including site layout, utility design, permitting and construction administration. Working within the limited site footprint, the team coordinated water, sanitary sewer and stormwater infrastructure around pavilion foundations and shipping container structures used by food vendors.

Since opening, The Block Jax has hosted concerts, sporting event watch parties, wellness activities and family-oriented programming, establishing a new gathering place for the surrounding community. The project also received the New Development Under $20 Million Award from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) North Florida.

About the Firm

Halff is an award-winning, employee-owned full-service infrastructure consulting firm with more than 75 years of expertise. Established in 1950 by Dr. Albert H. Halff, the firm continues to advance his vision of creating resilient communities through thoughtful design and technical excellence.

Today, Halff operates from more than 30 offices across Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Our firm works together to provide comprehensive services from our Mobility, Places and Communities, and Water and Environment solutions. Our more than 1,300 professionals remain committed to delivering smart solutions that improve lives and communities by turning ideas into reality.

Since 2021, the firm has earned more than 100 project awards and continues to rank as an Engineering News-Record Top 100 Design Firm and a USA TODAY National Top Workplace. Halff supports communities across its footprint through the Halff Community Initiative (HCI), having contributed more than $1 million to nonprofits and thousands of employee volunteer hours since its inception in 2017.