Meet Jacksonville's Most Historic Meeting Space

With its grand fountain in front and large windows and pillars, one look at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center near Downtown Jacksonville and you know that bringing deep cultural and historical roots to the modern day is what the city does best.

What Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center Was

The Jacksonville Union Terminal opened in 1919 as the largest train station in the southern United States. It was a bustling center for enterprise in the heart of the LaVilla neighborhood, operating in the city for over 50 years and moving 20,000 passengers per day in its prime - no pun intended. Its Roman-inspired architecture depicted the strength of the area and the station helped push area advancement through the better part of the 20th century. In 1976, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

What Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center Is

Since its opening in 1986, The Prime F. Osborn Convention Center utilized the Union Terminal to become the premier convention space in the city. The building remains the only southern railroad station in the U.S. that was converted into a state-of-the-art convention center. To this day, the center’s pre-function space shows signage and fixtures of the station's concourse with the bumper blocks used to halt visiting trains prominently shown in the hallway.

The front of the station's roman pillars remain, leading into the well-preserved Grand Lobby, complete with marble walls, 75-foot ceilings and teller stations: perfect for hosting black-tie events. The center also now includes 78,000 square feet of exhibition space that can be divided into two halls as well as 22 meeting rooms, making it a versatile venue. A few of the noteworthy events that have used the exhibition space include the U.S. Taekwondo National Championships, WasabiCon and Night to Shine presented by the Tim Tebow Foundation.

More Historic & Beautiful Meeting Spaces

Other unique meeting spaces in Jacksonville include Daily's Place, which offers a versatile setting for both conferences and entertainment events. Sweet Pete's Candy is another delightful choice that offers a sweet escape for events with its charming candy emporium. Between Jacksonville's Main Library Conference Center, The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, there’s a variety of options for outdoor gardens, rooftops and wildlife views. Jacksonville is a one-of-a-kind destination and its charm and history is sure to elevate any business gathering taking place in the Flip Side of Florida.