Jacksonville’s Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center Receives Extensive Facelift

JACKSONVILLE, FL (June 29, 2023) – The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Downtown Jacksonville is undergoing renovations to improve appearance and functionality for its convention and meeting spaces.

The renovations include the Grand Lobby and Ballroom, which will see new carpet, cabinetry, marble walls resealing, programmable uplighting and fresh paint, and the main concourse area features a new digital display systems. Additionally, several meeting spaces will receive new lighting systems, fresh carpet and acoustic panels. Exterior building updates include painting trim and a new roof.

What is now known as the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center originally opened in 1919 as the largest railroad station in the south, the Jacksonville Union Terminal. It featured more than two dozen rail tracks, a restaurant, gift shop and other amenities. Today, the Prime maintains some of its’ historical features including a retired rail car, train bumpers and signage.

“The Prime” features 78,000 square feet of exhibit space with 33 foot ceilings and 22 meeting rooms of various sizes. The Grand Lobby is a special event space, with 75 foot ceilings and marble walls, overlooking the grand fountain and expansive terminal columns.

Additional meeting and convention news in Jacksonville includes:

New nonstop flights
In May, Breeze Airlines started nonstop service between Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) and Los Angeles (LAX), Columbus, Ohio (CMH), Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU), Norfolk, Virginia (ORF) and Richmond, Virginia (RIC). Breeze already offers nonstop flights to numerous destinations from Jacksonville, including New Orleans (MSY), Las Vegas (LAS) and Hartford, Connecticut (BDL).

On November 5, American Airlines will begin daily nonstop service between JAX and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The flight will depart Phoenix at 5 p.m. MST, landing in Jacksonville at 10:01 p.m. EST. The return flight will depart Jacksonville at 8 a.m. EST, arriving in Phoenix at 9:37 a.m. MST.

Hotel Happenings
The SpringHill Suites by Marriott Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront opened in April. It includes the Sandbar Jax Beach restaurant that offers full views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as indoor/outdoor space for special events. The property has 136 all-suite hotel rooms.

The Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville Flagler Center recently completed a full renovation, which includes two meeting/event rooms that total 978 square feet of space. The meeting rooms received new wall vinyl, carpet, window treatments, LED lighting and furniture.

Marriott International recently awarded two Jacksonville Beach hotels with numerous awards for 2022. The Four Points by Sheraton Jacksonville Beachfront was named Four Points by Sheraton brand’s Hotel of the Year for 2022 out of over 155 properties. Additionally, the hotel is one of only three Diamond Circle Award winners for being in the top of its brand in overall guest satisfaction scores. The Element by Westin Jacksonville Beach was also recognized for having the highest guest satisfaction score out of the 82 Element by Westin’s in the United States and Canada.

###

About Visit Jacksonville
Visit Jacksonville is an Accredited Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and responsible for marketing, selling and promoting Jacksonville as a leisure and meeting destination.