The closed Metro Entertainment Complex in Riverside is in review for redevelopment into the Metro Self Storage project.
A city application shows removal of the former gay nightclub, which closed in August 2021.
The city issued a mobility fee calculation certificate for Jacksonville-based Atlantic Self Storage to develop a 150,000-square-foot, four-story facility on 3.43 acres at 859 Willow Branch Ave.
Matthews Design Group of St. Augustine is the agent.
Through Riverside Avondale Atlantic Service LLC, Atlantic Self Storage bought the property Sept. 1 for $1.85 million among four deeds.
Atlantic Self Storage operates 51 facilities in Northeast Florida, according to AtlanticSelfStorage.com.
Holidays of Jacksonville Inc. and Holidays of Jacksonville LLC, led by Arnold J. Michaels and Jerald C. Rosenberg, sold the property, comprising the building, parking lot and vacant land,
The 16,319-square-foot nightclub building was built in 1941.
On Aug. 24, Daily Record news partner News4Jax.com said Metro Entertainment Complex owner Jerry Rosenberg announced the nightclub would close that weekend.
The site said Rosenberg announced the closing of the nightclub, which had been serving the LGBTQ+ community for 28 years.
Rosenberg said the nightclub took a hard hit due to the pandemic.
“AJ and I want to thank everyone who has supported Metro through the years,” Rosenberg said in the report.
“We have been the proud owners for 15 of the 28 years. It has been an incredible experience. We’ve had the most wonderful staff and friends behind us since day one. The pandemic has hit us very hard, being closed so much last year,” Rosenberg said
“We have an opportunity to sell the buildings and land to a developer.”
Rosenberg also teased a new location could be opening soon.
He said he was working with some key employees to partner in moving Metro “to a shiny new smaller location in the community.”
Rosenberg said Jan. 22 he has not chosen a new location. “We are working on it,” he said.
