Ashco Centers, a Jacksonville family-owned and operated real estate development firm has received national recognition for its leadership in community-focused sustainable redevelopment and design excellence. Ashco was nominated for the 2025 International Council of Shopping Centers Excellence in Community Advancement Award and honored with the 2025 CoStar Impact Award for the “Development of the Year.” Both awards underscore Ashco Centers’ long-standing role as a steward of Jacksonville’s growth — transforming underutilized spaces into thriving destinations that strengthen local neighborhoods and preserve the city’s architectural heritage.
ICSC Excellence in Community Advancement Award Nomination
Presented annually by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the Excellence in Community Advancement Award honors public-private partnerships that deliver lasting social, environmental, and economic benefits.
Ashco Centers’ nomination for the “Excellence in Community Advancement Award” reflects the firm’s commitment to community advancement through thoughtful redevelopment. This project transformed a vacant Wendy’s building into a modern energy-efficient mixed-use shopping center. The ICSC selection committee recognized Ashco Centers’ work for redefining the role of neighborhood centers in modern urban life, creating spaces that foster connection, commerce, and cultural identity.
“This nomination reflects our belief that development should advance community well-being, support local business, and reinvigorate key urban corridors” said Tiffany Ashurian, Vice President of Real Estate & Leasing. “We’re proud to represent Jacksonville on a national stage and to advance projects that serve the community, and embody sustainable, purposeful design.”
CoStar Impact Award: Development of the Year
Ashco Centers’ “Town Center Design District” also received the 2025 CoStar Impact Award for “Development of the Year”, recognizing projects that make a significant, measurable impact on their local markets.
Judged by a distinguished panel including Rick Hall (Commercial Appraiser, St. Johns County Appraisers), Steve Harriss (Senior Field Research Analyst, CBRE), and Tyler Saldutti (CEO, Prime Realty), the award highlights the project’s role in driving economic growth and elevating Jacksonville’s Southside corridor.
Located at the first signalized entrance to St. Johns Town Center, the city’s premier retail and lifestyle destination, the Town Center Design District delivers over 16,000 square feet of premium retail space. Featuring contemporary architecture, expansive energy efficient glass storefronts, and marquee signage, the project establishes a modern gateway to one of North Florida’s most dynamic commercial corridors.
The development has attracted a diverse mix of national and local tenants, including Belamo, Visual Comfort, Modani Furniture, Mayday Ice Cream, Elase Med Spa, Talkin’ Tacos and Zubis Diamond & Gems, while continuing to draw interest from national and local brands alike.
“Town Center is the largest super-regional mall between Orlando and Atlanta, featuring more than 175 retailers and 20 nationally recognized restaurants,” said Tiffany Ashurian. “This project captures Jacksonville’s growth story — forward-thinking, community-oriented, and full of opportunity. We’re deeply honored by both the CoStar and ICSC recognitions.”
Town Center Design District:
Building Through Adaptive Reuse and Sustainability
For more than six decades, Ashco Centers has been a pioneer in adaptive reuse developments and sustainable redevelopment. A selection of its past developments — including San Marco Train Station, Union Hall, Tiffany by the Sea, and Tri-City Plaza — reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to preserving Jacksonville’s architectural legacy while creating spaces designed for the future. Ashco Centers projects are known for transforming underutilized properties into thriving, inclusive destinations that strengthen community identity and economic resilience.
A Legacy of Stewardship and Sustainability
Ashco Centers’ work has been recognized at both the local and national levels for its commitment to community revitalization and design excellence.
- The San Marco Preservation Society (SMPS) awarded Ashco Centers the “Beautification Prize” for the San Marco Train Station property, honoring the firm’s dedication to restoring and enhancing one of Jacksonville’s most historic and beloved landmarks, the former City of South Jacksonville waterworks and electric building originally constructed in 1930. This property features a curated mix of community dining destinations, including La Nopalera, Panera Bread, and Mayday Handcrafted Ice Cream. The story behind San Marco Train Station is a classic example of how infill development and historic preservation can be positively impacted when both the developer and community work together to find unique redevelopment solutions on blighted property.
- Earlier in its history, Ashco Centers was awarded the Keys to the City of Gary, Indiana, presented by
- Reverend Jesse L. Jackson on behalf of the Office of the Mayor of Gary, Indiania, Richard Gordon Hatcher. The honor recognized Ashco Centers’ decade-long effort to transform the Tri-City Plaza from a blighted site into a thriving, community-driven retail destination—creating employment opportunities, improving the local environment, and setting a national example for sustainable redevelopment.
About Ashco Centers
Ashco Centers is a Jacksonville-based, family owned and operated real estate development firm specializing in mixed-use and adaptive reuse projects. The Company’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that meaningful development happens when developers and communities work together for the greater good of Jacksonville and its neighborhoods. Each project reflects this commitment — creating real estate that is both beautiful and beneficial, activating businesses and serving communities. For more than sixty years, Ashco Centers has transformed underutilized and historic properties into thriving destinations that create lasting value for tenants, neighbors, and the Jacksonville community.
For more information or leasing inquiries, call us at 904-242-9000 or follow Ashco Centers on LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram.