INVISION served as Associate Architect to Robert A. M. Stern Architects for the design of Jacksonville’s Main Downtown Library — an iconic civic landmark that celebrates the city’s architectural heritage while embracing its role as a modern cultural hub. The five-story, 300,000-square-foot library and its adjacent six-story, 600-car parking structure were the result of a city-sponsored international design competition, which the team won for its timeless, classically inspired approach.
The library’s grand interior is anchored by a soaring Main Reading Room, a sweeping central stair, and an upper-level courtyard that fills the space with daylight and visual connectivity. Designed to serve a diverse range of users, the facility houses the main fiction and non-fiction collections, special archives, teen and children’s libraries, and flexible public gathering areas. Supporting amenities — including a café, bookstore, auditorium, and conference center — extend the building’s function as a vibrant community destination.
Across the street, the companion parking structure includes 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, integrating active urban edges into the city fabric. The project stands as a benchmark for civic design excellence and was recognized with an American Institute of Architects award for its enduring contribution to downtown Jacksonville.
