Jacksonville University College of Law celebrated the opening of its new home in Downtown Jacksonville’s historic former Atlantic Bank building on Aug. 26.
Now named College of Law, the opening marks the on-schedule completion of an eight-month adaptive reuse renovation project.
The 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art space was completely revamped to include flexible, state-of-the-art classrooms, study and common areas, spaces for immersive learning, student meeting rooms, faculty and staff offices, event space and an extensive library.
In the two years since its opening in the VyStar Tower, the College of Law is already welcoming more than 86 students, along with faculty and staff to Downtown each day.
In March, the College of Law received provisional ABA accreditation on the fastest possible timeline. It can apply for full accreditation two years from that date.
The College of Law welcomed its third incoming class earlier this month — its largest yet with 44 students. The inaugural class will graduate in the spring.
The law school will continue to meet the needs of the community, expand its talent pool and strengthen its economic infrastructure with highly qualified new lawyers.
“We’re grateful beyond measure to the Jacksonville for their support and encouragement of our law school and the talent of our design and construction partners,” Dean Nick Allard said. “We look forward to educating a long line of outstanding future lawyers in this historic space for years to come.”
The City of Jacksonville invested $6.5 million into the $12 million renovation project.
Historic features of the building were preserved, such as the second-floor reception room, the main stairwell on the first floor and the original ceiling details above it.
A three-story atrium in the center of the building allows natural light into the building. Windows on the south side of the building look out onto the bustling Forsyth Street and large windows on the first floor showcase law school activities to passersby.
Donna Deegan, mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, said the new law school campus is a key part of the plans to grow higher education in Jacksonville and make downtown a place where people will choose to learn, work, live, play and visit.
