Florida Construction News staff writer
The University of Florida has selected Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate to advance the initial $287.5-million phase of construction on its planned graduate campus in downtown Jacksonville, marking a major step forward for the long-anticipated project.
The selection follows a competitive national procurement process that drew interest from development teams across the United States. Edgemoor will lead a consortium of national and local partners, including Clark Construction, Auld & White Constructors, OJB Landscape Architecture, HOK, PQH Group Design, England-Thims Miller and Coastal Connections Group.
“Edgemoor and their team bring an excellent track record of executing transformative higher education projects on campuses throughout the country,” said Mori Hosseini. “The initial UF projects are dynamic and interdisciplinary, and this required engaging a partnership team that will challenge convention and drive decision-making across the university.”
The first building will anchor the campus in Jacksonville’s historic LaVilla district. The university is developing the site into a state-of-the-art graduate campus aimed at strengthening Florida’s workforce and supporting long-term economic growth.
The City of Jacksonville has committed more than 20 acres of land for the project, along with tens of millions of dollars in financial support toward construction.
“Selecting a preferred developer is a critical step as we move from planning to execution,” said Donald W. Landry. “We are excited to work with Edgemoor to deliver a facility that reflects UF’s excellence and meets the needs of students, faculty and industry partners.”
Initial academic programming for the campus is expected to begin in existing facilities in 2026, with new construction phases to follow as the development progresses.
The broader vision for the Jacksonville graduate campus includes advanced programs in business, health care and emerging technologies, positioning the city as a hub for innovation and talent development while expanding professional opportunities across the state.
