Al Mansur, the restaurateur behind Al's Pizza, The Flying Iguana and Coop 303, now owns the Atlantic Beach building where Coop 303 operates after paying $3.5 million for the property.

Mansur bought 303 Atlantic Blvd. on Oct. 26 through 303 Atlantic LLC, an entity he manages, the Jax Daily Record first reported. The seller was Junk Property LLC, according to a special warranty deed recorded Wednesday, Oct. 28, with the Duval County Clerk of Courts.

The property sits near The Corner, where Atlantic and Neptune beaches meet.

Mansur told the Jax Daily Record he had been trying to buy the property for some time. He said he has invested in the site, so owning made more sense than continuing to lease.

"It's the best real estate in Jacksonville," Mansur said.

He built Coop 303 in 2018 on the spot where an Al's Pizza location once stood, demolishing most of the old building but keeping the foundation, he said. The restaurant serves dinner, including steaks and seafood, and weekend brunch. It has full bars and a rooftop garden. The Living Room Lounge, a cocktail lounge, occupies the second floor.

His restaurant career at the Beaches stretches back nearly four decades. He launched Al's Pizza at Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road in 1988 and opened The Flying Iguana in Neptune Beach in 2013.

Mansur said he has no new plans for the site.