Jaime Sturgis Brings New Concept from Prominent Restaurateur to Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village

Jaime Sturgis, CEO of pioneering Fort Lauderdale-based firm Native Realty, brokered a lease that will bring the newest concept from prominent restaurateur Jay Shirodkar to the city’s Flagler Village neighborhood. Jay’s Steakhouse is set to open inside a historic former church building at 441 NE Third Ave. in early May 2025.

Jay’s Steakhouse FTL leased 9,524 square feet at the building, which is owned by URBN Flagler LLC. Sturgis represented both sides in the lease, which addresses the demand for additional high-end dining options in rapidly growing Flagler Village.

Shirodkar’s company is known for its Naked Taco concept, with several locations across South Florida. It also operates seafood restaurant Riviera in Fort Lauderdale Beach.

As Flagler Village’s primary placemakers, Sturgis and Native were previously involved in the adaptive re-use of the historic building Jay’s Steakhouse is set to operate in.

The Romanesque-style building was originally located on Las Olas Boulevard and was home to St. Anthony’s, Broward County’s first Roman Catholic Church. The church was eventually relocated brick by brick from Las Olas Boulevard to Flagler Village. About five years ago, the building was repurposed for retail, restaurant and creative office uses.

“This lease with Jay’s Steakhouse reflects Native’s unmatched ability to match the right tenants with the right spaces in the right neighborhoods,” Sturgis said. “As the long-term curators for Flagler Village and urban Fort Lauderdale’s thriving food-and-beverage scene, we knew Jay’s Steakhouse would fill a void in the neighborhood. It will be extremely well-received by the increasing population of residents, professionals and visitors.”

Read more about the Jay’s Steakhouse lease in The Real Deal.