by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The LaVilla building that housed the law firm of Coffman Coleman Andrews & Grogan didn’t stay on the market very long and it won’t be empty very long.
Last week, the law firm of Brennan, Manna & Diamond closed on the two-story building and by mid-August plans to relocate from its offices in the former SunTrust Building on South Laura Street.
Partner Mike Freed said the firm has creative plans for the building.
“It will be the 20,000 square-foot home for our law firm and our affiliated development company Signet Development,” he said. “We also are leasing out space to other selected professionals as part of the ‘water cooler’ model that we implemented in our Ohio building.”
The Coffman firm recently announced its dissolution. The partners, associates and some of the support have all joined other Jacksonville firms.
Freed said his firm — a full-service business firm — has been looking for a building to purchase since he joined the firm five years ago.
“It was a great opportunity and one we couldn’t turn down,” said Freed, who specializes in litigation and health care. “It’s in good shape, but we will do a few things. The Coffman firm did a great job. It’s a quality building and one we were lucky to get.”
Freed said the LaVilla area may be “off the beaten path” right now, but once the new County Courthouse is built, his firm and the others migrating that way will be perfectly situated.
“Obviously, that’s key. Once it comes on line, we’ll be right there,” he said. “In our mind, it’s the place to be.”
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