The New LaVilla on Vesterr

View details of this raise on Seedstage

Jacksonville, GA

Converting a LaVilla landmark into a mixed-use coworking and event venue that fuels small-business growth.

  • Historic restoration: Revives an 1800s landmark with modern infrastructure.
  • Diverse revenue mix: Offices, suites, events, retail, food, and beverages in one property.
  • Job creation: Projected 23 full- and part-time positions by opening year.
  • HUBZone advantage: Qualifies for federal and local incentives that enhance returns.
  • Phased expansion roadmap: New barn, tavern kitchen, and outdoor stage scheduled through 2026.

The New LaVilla is redeveloping a 6 300-square-foot 19th-century landmark in Jacksonville’s historic LaVilla district into a modern entrepreneurship center and coworking hub. Phase 1 upgrades restore the brick exterior, replace outdated plumbing and electrical systems, and outfit flexible offices, meeting rooms, and overnight suites with high-speed connectivity and energy-efficient fixtures. A street-level coffee and gift shop plus an honor-system farm store activate the neighborhood while providing direct-to-consumer retail opportunities for local makers.

Subsequent phases add a new lodging barn with ADA-compliant suites, a tavern-style commercial kitchen, and a gazebo entertainment patio—creating multiple revenue streams from boutique weddings, networking receptions, and pop-up markets. Located in a federally designated HUBZone across from the Federal Courthouse, the project aligns with city economic-development incentives and targets small businesses, freelancers, and remote workers seeking affordable, community-oriented space. By blending historic preservation with inclusive growth, The New LaVilla aims to anchor downtown revitalization, generate 23 new jobs, and showcase Jacksonville as a destination where culture, commerce, and collaboration thrive.

Company Info

The New LaVilla is redeveloping a historic downtown building into a coworking and event center that pairs flexible workspace with on-site business support services.

The New LaVilla transforms a 6,300-square-foot 1890s landmark in Jacksonville’s historic LaVilla district into a mixed-use entrepreneurship center that blends flexible coworking offices, event venues, and street-level retail. Anchored by a coffee shop, gift boutique, and short-term residences, the restored hub will offer day passes, private suites, and fully equipped meeting rooms to freelancers, remote workers, and nonprofits while hosting boutique weddings, product launches, and networking receptions in its adaptive-reuse gathering spaces.

Beyond real estate, the project integrates a full slate of business-development services: on-site financial coaching, workforce-readiness workshops, and accelerator programs for HUBZone founders seeking government-contracting support. A core staff—including a facility director, community manager, and event & marketing manager—will guide daily operations and curate programming, while three to five solo entrepreneurs will lease space to provide HR, bookkeeping, and digital-media services to members and the surrounding downtown community. By uniting historic preservation with small-business incubation, The New LaVilla aims to catalyze renewed economic activity in the neighborhood and position itself as a flagship destination for inclusive innovation in Northeast Florida.

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