ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—A new chapter in Florida’s judicial history began on February 21, 2026, as the Second District Court of Appeal (DCA) officially opened the Bernie McCabe Courthouse. The grand opening and ceremonial ribbon-cutting mark the completion of a high-profile, $59 million infrastructure project that finally provides a permanent home for the court after a decade of operating out of temporary, leased facilities.
Delivered on time and within budget, the courthouse stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Florida Department of Management Services, the architectural expertise of DLR Group and Wannemacher Jensen Architects, and the construction management of Skanska USA Building. The three-story, 51,708-square-foot facility is situated on the former site of the Sebring Building, strategically positioned between the urban pulse of downtown St. Petersburg and the serene environment of Mirror Lake.
Architectural Vision and Design
The building’s design is defined by a striking curved form that follows the natural contours of its site. This “embrace” of the urban edge is balanced by extensive glass curtain walls that offer visual transparency and direct views of the surrounding natural landscape. By integrating the public realm with the judiciary, the design successfully softens the traditional austerity of a courthouse while maintaining a sense of civic permanence.
Inside, the facility is designed for both functionality and collaboration. Key features include:
- State-of-the-Art Courtroom: A ceremonial appellate courtroom equipped with advanced digital infrastructure to support both in-person and hybrid remote proceedings.
- Judicial Chambers: Private, secure suites for 15 appellate judges.
- Community Integration: A flexible first-floor community room designed to host local bar associations and public civic events.
- Sustainability: Built to LEED standards, the project includes a dedicated 7,800-square-foot central energy plant to maximize efficiency.
A Legacy Honored
The courthouse is named in honor of the late Bernie McCabe, the long-serving State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. McCabe was a pillar of the Florida legal community for nearly three decades, and the dedication of this building ensures his commitment to the rule of law remains a permanent fixture in the district he served.
Economic and Regional Impact
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the new headquarters represents a significant fiscal win for the state. By consolidating operations that were previously split between Lakeland and Tampa, the move is projected to save Florida approximately $774,000 annually in lease costs. The Second DCA serves a six-county region—including Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto—making this facility a critical hub for justice in West Central Florida.
DLR Group: Designing for Human Experience
DLR Group, the Architect of Record, is a global leader in justice architecture, consistently ranking among the top firms in the nation for judicial and civic design. With a portfolio exceeding $6 billion in justice projects, the firm’s “Justice+Civic” studio is renowned for moving beyond mere “bricks and mortar” to create spaces that prioritize healing, equity, and transformation. In St. Petersburg, DLR Group applied its “Integrated Design” philosophy to balance the rigid security requirements of an appellate court with a desire for transparency and wellness. By centering the building around natural light and Mirror Lake views, they aimed to reduce the inherent stress of legal proceedings, a hallmark of their work on other landmark facilities like the Kings County Courthouse and the Seminole County Justice Center Annex.
Skanska USA: Building for a Better Society
As the construction manager, Skanska USA Building brought its extensive experience in high-security, mission-critical government infrastructure to the Mirror Lake site. Recognized as a premier builder of federal and state courthouses, Skanska’s justice portfolio includes complex projects like the 14-story U.S. Courthouse in Jacksonville and the Montgomery County Justice Center. For the Bernie McCabe project, Skanska leveraged its “Injury-Free Environment” safety culture and expertise in LEED-certified construction to deliver a facility that is as sustainable as it is secure. Their work on the project’s 7,800-square-foot central energy plant and specialized courtroom technology underscores a long-standing commitment to building “for a better society,” ensuring that the Second DCA’s new home is a high-performing asset for Florida taxpayers for decades to come.
