UF Graduate Campus & Gateway Jax Land Swap Approved

Downtown Jacksonville is taking a major step forward with a new University of Florida graduate campus and a transformational development by Gateway Jax. This follows a high-profile land swap approved by the Jacksonville City Council.

On June 10, 2025, the City Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strategic land exchange between the city and developer Gateway Jax. They traded 1 acre of riverfront property near Riverfront Plaza for the Interline Brands building at 801 W. Bay Street. The Interline building will become the first phase of UF’s new Graduate Campus in Downtown Jacksonville, housing the upcoming Florida Semiconductor Institute.

UF’s $300 Million Campus in Downtown Jacksonville

The deal unlocks over 23 acres of property for UF’s use in the LaVilla neighborhood. Here, the university will build a state-of-the-art $300 million graduate campus. This includes five key parcels, valued at around $30 million. Additionally, there is an option to acquire the historic Jacksonville Terminal train station and additional land surrounding the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

The new campus will support advanced graduate programs. It will focus on emerging technology fields. The Florida Semiconductor Institute, slated to open in the repurposed Interline building, aims to position Jacksonville at the forefront of semiconductor research and workforce development.

Classes are expected to begin at the UF Downtown Jacksonville campus as early as fall 2025.

Riverfront Development with Accountability

The riverfront parcel being traded was previously approved for the American Lions tower, a proposed 44-story development. This project was never built after the original developer withdrew due to rising construction costs. Rather than allow the site to sit vacant, the city reached a new deal with Gateway Jax, one of the largest private investors in Jacksonville’s urban core.

Gateway Jax now plans to build a 17-story mixed-use tower on the site. It will feature hotel accommodations, condominiums, a river-facing restaurant, retail space, and activated public areas. The development is intended to complement the adjacent Riverfront Plaza and tie into Jacksonville’s growing riverwalk system.

To protect the public interest, the deal includes a clawback clause. If Gateway Jax fails to meet development milestones or invest the promised capital, any financial incentives can be reduced or reclaimed by the city.

Why This UF Florida Land Swap Matters

The UF Florida land swap is widely seen as a win-win for the city and for higher education. It turns an underutilized structure into a cornerstone for a world-class university campus. Additionally, it ensures that a stalled development site finally moves forward.

The agreement is part of a broader effort to activate Downtown Jacksonville’s education, technology, and innovation corridors. This is especially true in the LaVilla and riverfront districts.

What’s Next for Downtown Jacksonville

City officials say this deal sets the stage for long-term economic growth and downtown revitalization. The combined impacts of UF’s new graduate campus, the Florida Semiconductor Institute, and Gateway Jax’s riverfront tower are expected to generate thousands of jobs. These developments will significantly boost Jacksonville’s visibility as a destination for research, education, and waterfront living.

The final transfer of property is expected to close later this summer. Construction updates on both the UF campus and Gateway Jax’s development will follow soon after.

Disclaimer: Renderings & Video Renderings created by Fun To Watch based on publicly released concepts. These supplemental renderings are for illustrative purposes only and were not produced by the developer.

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