June 25, 2020 (Courtesy the Jacksonville Financial News & Daily Record)
Fidelity National Information Services Inc. paid $14 million for the riverfront site of its planned world headquarters in Downtown Jacksonville, according to a deed recorded June 12 with the Duval County Clerk of Courts.
The global financial technology firm bought the 4½-acre Brooklyn site at 323 Riverside Ave. on June 10.
FIS bought the land from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Inc.
FIS submitted permit plans to the city April 15 for construction of its $145 million, 12-story, 376,414-square-foot office tower and eight-story, 552,693-square-foot parking garage. The St. Johns River Water Management District issued a permit April 7 for the project.
A representative Hines, the FIS contracted project management firm, told the Downtown Investment Authority board in April that the project is on schedule and is expected to be completed in June 2022.
FIS CEO Gary Norcross and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the headquarters project Nov. 1.
FIS, a Jacksonville-based Fortune 500 company, provides technology for financial institutions. It acquired Cincinnati-based Worldpay in July 2019 for $43 billion and needs more space.
The combined company will have more than $12 billion in annual revenue and 55,000 employees worldwide in 40 countries. It has clients in 110 countries.
The site was used as a surface parking lot for Florida Blue employees. The insurance company is building a $12.27 million parking structure nearby at 800 Forest St.
The DIA resolution approved April 15 states the project will bring more than 1,200 jobs to Downtown Jacksonville. In November, Norcross said FIS will create 500 jobs and retain the company’s 1,216-employee workforce.