JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University Club, a popular event venue at the top of the Ameris Bank building, will close in late December.
The club, which is at the top of the 28-story building at 1301 Riverplace Blvd. on the Southbank, has hosted thousands of business events, weddings, dinners and lunches over its 48 years. It will close Dec. 20 and will be converted to office space.
Dozens of viewers shared stories with News4Jax about weddings, birthdays, business meetings and holidays held at the club in the nearly five decades it has been in Jacksonville.
The University Club is known for its wood decor, elegant atmosphere and, most of all, one of the best views of Jacksonville.
“It was a great wedding. The views were gorgeous. We took a lot of really pretty shots at sunset, and they did a good job,” said Michelle Thibodeau, who chose the University Club for her special day.
Thibodeau said her uncle was a member and the views sold her on the space as her wedding venue.
Dallas-based ClubCorp, which manages the club, said it's closing the venue for business reasons.
The landlord, Lingerfelt Commonwealth Partners, will keep the gym inside the 14,000-square-foot floor and turn the remaining space into offices.
The club's members can transition to other ClubCorp clubs, including Deercreek, Marsh Creek or Queen's Harbour.
“It's sad to see it go, especially with those kind of views, and it's always been an upscale place. When you say the University Club, you know it's going to be nice,” Thibodeau said. “And just to have it shut down is sad for Jacksonville.”