VyStar Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids VyStar Tower |
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|---|---|
| Former names | SunTrust Tower, Jacksonville Center, American Heritage Life Building, Humana Building |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Architectural style | Postmodern |
| Location | 76 South Laura Street Jacksonville, Florida, United States |
| Coordinates | 30°19′33″N 81°39′36″W / 30.32589°N 81.65990°W |
| Completed | 1989 |
| Owner | Parador Group (Majority owner) |
| Height | |
| Roof | 357 ft (109 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 24 |
| Floor area | 383,000 sq ft (35,580 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | KBJ Architects |
The VyStar Tower is a very tall building, also known as a skyscraper, located in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. It stands at the corner of Independent Drive and Laura Street. This building is 357 feet (109 meters) tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city. It was finished in 1989 and was designed by a local company called KBJ Architects.
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Discover the VyStar Tower's Story
The VyStar Tower has had a few different names over the years. It was first called the American Heritage Life Building. Later, it was known as the SunTrust Tower, the Jacksonville Center, and the Humana Building.
How the Tower Was Designed
The building was designed in a style called postmodern. This style often mixes old and new ideas in its look. The architects who designed it, KBJ Architects, are from Jacksonville. The tower has 24 floors and is used for offices.
VyStar Credit Union's New Home
In 2018, a large financial group called VyStar Credit Union decided to buy the building. A credit union is like a bank, but it's owned by its members. VyStar is one of the biggest credit unions in Florida. They wanted the tower to be their main office.
Moving In and Making Changes
The deal to buy the building was completed in late 2019. This happened after the previous main tenant, SunTrust, moved out. VyStar Credit Union then started making changes to the building.
A Bright New Look for the Tower
In August 2019, VyStar put their new sign on top of the building. Then, in July 2020, they added cool electric blue LED lights to the top parts of the tower. These lights make the building glow at night.
Local Teams Help with Improvements
Local companies like Dana B. Kenyon Company, Miller Electric Company, and RS&H helped with these lighting projects. These improvements were part of a bigger plan by VyStar to make their downtown area, called the VyStar Campus, even better.
The VyStar Campus and New Businesses
The VyStar Campus includes the VyStar Tower and another building next to it, called 100 W. Bay. VyStar planned to improve the 100 W. Bay building by adding places for food and shops.
New Food Spot Downtown
For example, in March 2020, a local food place called The Bread & Board announced they would open a new restaurant on the first floor of the 100 W. Bay building. They are known for their sandwiches and other tasty food.
Bringing More People Downtown
By improving these buildings, VyStar planned to move more than 1,000 of its employees to downtown Jacksonville. This helps bring more people and activity to the city center.
