The exterior of Community First Credit Union's new headquarters at 701 W. Adams St. in LaVilla.
The exterior of Community First Credit Union's new headquarters at 701 W. Adams St. in LaVilla.
The renovation of the former Diamond-S and Elkins Building included new furnishings and finishes throughout.
The renovation of the former Diamond-S and Elkins Building included new furnishings and finishes throughout.
The renovation of the former Diamond-S and Elkins Building included new furnishings and finishes throughout.
The exterior of Community First Credit Union's new headquarters at 701 W. Adams St. in LaVilla.
Community First Credit Union announced Sept. 15 it will move into its renovated LaVilla headquarters this week after purchasing the former Diamond-S and Elkins Building in November.
The credit union acquired the 1.7-acre lot, the 32,300-square-foot building and the parking lot for $4.6 million. Building permits say the renovation cost $1.7 million.
About 75 of the credit union’s employees will move into the expanded headquarters at 701 W. Adams St., a news release said.
The renovation included interior and exterior updates, new finishes and furnishings and upgraded technology. The news release said repurposing an existing building was half the cost of constructing one.
“This repurposed building gives us the room we need to grow for the next several years,” John Hirabayashi, CEO and president of Community First, said in the release. “We are proud to continue to contribute to a vibrant Downtown.”
The credit union employs about 340 people, which has grown 80% since 2002, a news release said.
Its former headquarters at 637 N. Lee St. will continue to house operational and administrative offices including loan departments, marketing, accounting and finance, along with training and other supporting departments.
A November news release said the acquisition provides an immediate solution to Community First’s at-capacity headquarters space and additional walkability for its employees.
The credit union has been headquartered in Downtown Jacksonville since 1935.
