The completion of "Project Empire," the code name given for a 603,200-square-foot DHL Supply Chain distribution and logistics center located at 10030 Eastport Road in North Jacksonville, Florida, has accelerated economic activity, logistics capacity and long-term growth in Jacksonville’s emerging industrial corridor.
Developed as a large-scale cold storage and distribution facility for global package courier DHL, the project served as a catalyst for new development while consolidating two existing operations, one in-state and one out-of-state, into a single, efficient hub supporting new product launches and expanded regional distribution.
Located within a developing industrial area, Project Empire was among the earliest major investments at a site that has since become a magnet for additional industrial activity, according to market participants. The cold storage and distribution facility has created more than 100 jobs to date and is DHL’s first significant investment in the Jacksonville market. For these reasons, the development of the DHL distribution facility was awarded a CoStar Impact Award for 2026, as voted on by local industry experts in the market.
From an innovation and sustainability standpoint, Project Empire set new benchmarks for cold storage development in the region. The facility achieved LEED Silver certification and incorporated a solar-ready roof and electric vehicle fleet charging infrastructure.
In addition, the project team successfully navigated several complex challenges throughout development. These included entitlement issues and environmental constraints, such as relocating multiple gopher tortoises that were discovered on-site.
What's more, after the start of construction, the project experienced a temporary pause, during which the facility was redesigned and expanded by approximately 50% to meet DHL's increased demand.
Despite these obstacles, the team implemented early procurement strategies for critical electrical components and generators, enabling the project to obtain its certificate of occupancy more than 10 weeks ahead of schedule. In addition to its economic and operational impact, Project Empire demonstrated meaningful community engagement and public-private collaboration. The city of Jacksonville approved a $1.5 million Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) grant for the project.
DHL also donated a portion of the parcel to the city of Jacksonville for use as parking to support a nearby baseball field.
About the project: The 603,200-square-foot facility includes 482,560 square feet of temperature-controlled cooler space, 108,140 square feet of dry warehouse space, and 12,500 square feet of office space, supporting both large-scale logistics operations and flexible tenant accommodation with reduced need for additional ground-up construction. The entire facility was acquired by global investment firm KKR at the end of 2025 for $192 million.
What the judges said: “The DHL development shows strength for big-box development in Jacksonville. With ingress and egress by train, port and highways, including both I-95 and I-10, Jacksonville is set up for major logistics users looking to serve Florida and neighboring states," said Steve Harriss, senior field research analyst, CBRE.
They made it happen: GMA was the architect. Steve Hess, Brian Adkins, Caitlin Hicks and Jason Stevens of DHL represented the company. Jason Roberts and Nick Necessary of Arco National Construction were project managers. Dennis O'Grady, Joseph Rethemeyer and Lamar Butler of Arco were superintendents for the project. Tom Strickland of Arco also supported the project as a company vice president.