NoCo Center
Project Overview
Location
Our Role
Project Size
Project Type
Jacksonville, FL
General Contractor
103,100 SF
Adaptive Re-Use
About the Project
The NoCo Center is an adaptive reuse, rotating venue concept created in the former First Baptist Downtown Auditorium. Avant completed the 103,106 SF auditorium interior renovation of the former church space into a center to house cultural events for the emerging Downtown North Core area. The renovation included the removal of church pew seating for 5,000, upgraded HVAC systems, internet, security, bathrooms, and 3’ of flooring to level the main floor into a flat space. The project also included the renovation of an adjoining parking garage, cross-over hallway between buildings, as well as outdoor lighting, landscape and hospitality spaces. The state-of-the-art venue has been used for the Van Gogh immersive experience, as well as the King Tut exhibit. It has quickly become an iconic space in Jacksonville revitalization efforts for the downtown area.
Unique Elements
Transforming a former 5,000-seat church auditorium into a versatile cultural venue required extensive structural modifications and innovative planning. From leveling the sloped sanctuary floor to retrofitting modern building systems, the project turned a dated space into a dynamic environment capable of hosting large-scale immersive exhibits—positioning the NoCo Center as a cornerstone in the revitalization of Jacksonville’s urban core.
