The Jessie is a nonprofit center and community gathering place that serves thousands of employees, residents and visitors in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville. Owned and managed by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and celebrating a decade in operation, The Jessie houses more than 30 nonprofit and mission-driven organizations with class-A office space and premium shared amenities. The building also offers affordable meeting and event space, hosting hundreds of tenant and community events each year, from Board retreats and team training to literacy classes, fundraising galas, film festivals and fashion shows.
The Jessie is designed to strengthen the local nonprofit sector by promoting collaboration and reducing operating costs for individual organizations, supporting them in devoting more of their dollars to their missions.
What is one interesting fact about your space?
The Jessie is an architectural gem in Downtown Jacksonville, a heritage that informs its operations today. In the mid-20th century, world-renowned architect Taylor Hardwick designed Jacksonville’s new public library with the hope that it would be a “bright spot” in the urban environment, and a place for the community to gather. Purposefully designed with vibrant colored tiles, strong lines and angles, and large glass windows, the library served as a landmark for Jacksonville, and was reborn as The Jessie through adaptive reuse. Today, art and design play a key role throughout the building, even beyond the inherited physical space. The Jessie works to improve representation in arts of all kinds, especially public art, as part of its mission to be a welcoming space to all people and to deepen their sense of belonging. Art is featured throughout the building, from rotating indoor exhibits open to the public, an original mosaic installation by renowned Jacksonville artist Ann Williams, and through permanent public art installations around the building’s exterior that reflect the variety of people who call Jacksonville home.
What are your favorite resources that you would recommend to others?
One of the most unique resources available at The Jessie is our fully-equipped production studio. The space is optimized for videography, sound recording, podcasting and other high-quality audio-visual production. As information-sharing has become increasingly digital, this studio has become a go-to space for tenants and, through a cost-effective rental program, to the public.
The Jessie functions as both a nonprofit office building and a welcoming community space throughout every day–members of the public can stop by anytime to view art exhibits, grab lunch at our twice-monthly food trucks, or simply use the restroom and take a breath in the air conditioning. Our front desk concierge is well-versed in the nonprofits who call The Jessie home, as well as those throughout Jacksonville, and can help visitors connect with services they may need. We value the opportunity to provide safe and friendly space for anyone who needs it. Everyone is welcome at The Jessie.
Center Name: The Jessie
Center Member Type: Center in Operation
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Center Website: www.thejessie.org
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