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Stellar Completes $7M in Renovations at Jacksonville University

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (October 24, 2017) — Stellar, a firm providing award-winning construction management at-risk, design-build and general contracting services for a range of commercial and public sector markets, has completed several renovation projects on the Jacksonville University campus.

The projects total about $7 million in upgrades to campus buildings and include updates to:

  • Terry Concert Hall
  • Kinne Center dining hall
  • Williams Hall dormitory

All the renovations were completed over the course of the summer, in time for the start of the fall 2017 semester.

“JU is an integral part of the Jacksonville community,” said Richard Lovelace, Stellar’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Services. “We’re honored to have partnered with them on so many projects over the years, and we’re excited to be a part of their continued growth.”

Terry Concert Hall

Stellar completed the second phase of its Terry Concert Hall renovation in September, which included major updates to the lobby and restrooms.

The team installed new flooring, lighting and ceilings in the lobby and added structural supports above the ceiling to accommodate a 40-foot, hand-blown glass sculpture by Brian Frus, local artist and Assistant Professor of Glass at JU. Stellar also renovated the existing restrooms, added a unisex restroom, built out a small kitchen and constructed an 800-square-foot storage space adjacent to the building.

These updates come after last year’s renovations of the concert hall’s 11,000-square-foot auditorium, which included enlarging the stage and replacing interior finishes such as:

  • Flooring
  • Wood trim
  • Lighting
  • Interior paint

The university also reupholstered the venue’s seating and added sound-absorbing panels to enhance acoustics in the hall used for concerts and classes.

Kinne Center dining hall

Stellar’s renovation of the dining hall at the university’s Frances Bartlett Kinne University Center also finished ahead of schedule this summer. The 7,600-square-foot dining hall reopened on August 22.

The $344,000 project included:

  • Repainting the walls
  • Installing new flooring
  • Installing new acoustic ceiling tiles
  • Installing new LED light fixtures
  • Creating additional stations for condiments, beverages and food presentation

The Stellar team also coordinated with a specialty vendor to install a modular art wall. The wall’s interlocking panels create depth and serve as an aesthetic feature in the newly refreshed dining hall.

“Stellar helped breathe new life into the Kinne Center with this renovation,” said Jessica Ligator, Director of Capital Projects at Jacksonville University. “The dining hall is a centerpiece of student life, and we’re excited to complete yet another project as we continue improving our campus for students and faculty alike.”

A major component of the project was ensuring food service operation was not disrupted by the renovation. The Stellar team constructed temporary walls to isolate students and faculty from the construction zone, and the adjacent banquet hall was transformed into a temporary dining hall during the renovation.

“The Kinne Center houses the main dining hall on campus, so it was crucial that our renovation didn’t interfere with the faculty and students coming in for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” said project manager Matthew Hartley. “In the end, we were able to complete the renovation safely, successfully and smoothly.”

Williams Hall dormitory

Stellar’s $6 million renovation of the Williams Hall freshman dormitory wrapped up in July. The 50-year-old, four-story, 32,000-square-foot residence hall was updated to today’s dorm-room standards and includes:

  • New restrooms
  • New flooring
  • Open lounges
  • Study rooms on each floor

Stellar also completed full restroom renovations, installing new plumbing fixtures, tile and light fixtures to comply with the latest Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The 80-room residence building holds 130 beds.

Other projects

To accommodate the university’s growth, Stellar also completed two other minor projects over the summer. Stellar created a classroom space in the Swisher Library by adding new walls, installing new flooring and reworking the electrical wiring in the space. The team also created a 600-square-foot lounge space in the Lazzara Health Science Center on campus.

Stellar has completed more than 20 projects for JU over the years.

About Stellar

Stellar provides award-winning construction management at-risk, design-build and general contracting services for a range of commercial and public sector markets across the United States. A 800-plus-employee global architecture, engineering and architecture firm, Stellar has proven experience in projects of all sizes, from continuing contract work to major projects. The company serves public and private sector clients in the automotive, education, faith-based, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, office/retail, recreation, research & development, and housing markets. For more information, visit stellar.net/commercial. 

About Jacksonville University

JU combines the advantages of a liberal arts college with the strengths of an urban comprehensive university. Its academic programs and resources prepare students for success in their chosen careers and for advanced study at the graduate level. Connections with area businesses and civic organizations provide meaningful internships and educational opportunities outside of the classroom. For more information, visit www.ju.edu.