Gateway Jax to Transform Ambassador Hotel into Marriott Lifestyle Hotel with Colletta Restaurant at Pearl Square in Downtown Jacksonville

Ambassador Hotel Redevelopment Brings New Life to a Historic Landmark

Downtown Jacksonville is entering a new phase of transformation as Gateway Jax announces plans to redevelop the historic Ambassador Hotel into Hotel Merrydelle, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio property located within the rapidly evolving Pearl Square district.

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Located at 310 West Church Street, the Ambassador Hotel originally opened in 1924 and was later added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Despite remaining structurally sound, the building has sat vacant for decades. Gateway Jax’s approach focuses on adaptive reuse—preserving the building’s historic character while transforming it into a modern hospitality destination.

The Ambassador Hotel redevelopment reflects a broader shift toward revitalizing Downtown Jacksonville through intentional, experience-driven projects.

The project marks a major milestone for Downtown Jacksonville development—introducing the city’s first true lifestyle hotel while activating one of its most recognizable historic structures.

Major brands are already moving into Downtown—Publix, JetSet Pilates, and now Marriott—signaling growing confidence in the urban core since our previous update on the Ambassador Hotel.

Hotel Merrydelle: Downtown Jacksonville’s First Lifestyle Hotel

Hotel Merrydelle will bring a new type of hospitality experience to Downtown Jacksonville—one centered around design, culture, and connection.

As part of Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio, the hotel will join a global collection of independent boutique properties known for reflecting the character of their surrounding communities.

The development will include:

• 109 boutique guest rooms
• A coffee and pastry concept designed for daily activation
• A full-service Italian-American restaurant and bar, Colletta

Rather than functioning as a traditional hotel, Hotel Merrydelle is designed to serve as a social hub—blending hospitality with community-driven spaces.

Colletta Restaurant to Anchor the Experience at Hotel Merrydelle

A defining feature of Hotel Merrydelle will be its food and beverage program, led by The Indigo Road Hospitality Group. The development will introduce Colletta, an Italian-inspired restaurant concept known for its warm, social dining experience.

Colletta will feature:

• Wood-fired pizzas
• House-made pasta
• Antipasti and seasonal dishes
• A beverage program centered around Italian wines and signature cocktails

In addition to Colletta, the hotel will include a coffee and pastry shop designed to activate the space throughout the day—creating an environment that attracts both visitors and local residents.

The Meaning Behind the Name “Merrydelle”

The name “Merrydelle” was thoughtfully chosen to honor Merrydelle Hoyt—an artist and cultural visionary who helped shape Jacksonville’s arts community and what is now MOCA Jacksonville.

Hoyt believed that beauty belonged in the public square—an idea that is now being brought to life through the design of Hotel Merrydelle and the broader Pearl Square neighborhood.

From local artwork to open, inviting public spaces, the project reflects a commitment to creating places where people naturally gather.

Pearl Square: A Transformational Downtown Jacksonville Development

Hotel Merrydelle is part of Pearl Square, a nine-block mixed-use development led by Gateway Jax that is reshaping Downtown Jacksonville’s urban core. We’ve been documenting Pearl Square since the downtown development broke ground [see the groundbreaking here].

Upon full buildout, Pearl Square is expected to include:

• 1,250 residential units
• Approximately 200,000 square feet of retail space, anchored by Publix
• Walkable, pedestrian-focused streets
• Outdoor dining and activated public spaces
• Curbless streets designed to enhance connectivity and experience

This integrated approach positions Pearl Square as one of the most significant Downtown Jacksonville developments in recent history.

A Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Jacksonville

As a Tribute Portfolio property under Marriott International, Hotel Merrydelle will connect Downtown Jacksonville to a global hospitality network while maintaining a distinct, locally inspired identity.

This bring:

• Increased visibility for Jacksonville as a travel destination
• Access to Marriott’s global booking and loyalty platform
• A higher standard of boutique hospitality in the urban core

What This Means for Downtown Jacksonville

The transformation of the Ambassador Hotel into Hotel Merrydelle signals a major shift in Downtown Jacksonville’s trajectory.

Key impacts include:

• Introduction of Downtown Jacksonville’s first lifestyle hotel
• Activation of a long-vacant historic building
• Expansion of dining and hospitality options in Pearl Square
• Strengthening of the urban core as a walkable, experience-driven destination

Looking Ahead: The Future of Downtown Jacksonville Development

With construction expected to begin this spring and an anticipated opening in 2027, Hotel Merrydelle is positioned to become a defining piece of Downtown Jacksonville’s next chapter.

As Pearl Square continues to take shape, it’s arriving alongside a wave of major developments reshaping the urban core—from the newly completed Jacksonville Jaguars headquarters to the upcoming Four Seasons Hotel & Residences, and the transformation of EverBank Stadium into the Jaguars’ “Stadium of the Future.” [Read More and See it in 360º]

Together, these projects signal a coordinated shift in Downtown Jacksonville—where historic preservation, modern hospitality, and large-scale investment are aligning to create a more vibrant, walkable, and experience-driven city center.

Downtown Jacksonville isn’t just growing—it’s becoming a destination.

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