Located on the Gainesville square — the city’s hub for local restaurants, shops and events — is Brenau’s Downtown Campus, which includes the Brenau Downtown Center and the Gainesville Renaissance building.

The Downtown Center houses graduate programs in Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies, and features a state-of-the-art human anatomy lab where students can advance their understanding of the human body. The Manhattan Gallery also resides in the center, which features artwork from Andy Warhol and other influential New York artists. The Downtown Center includes the Charles D. Walters Theatre on the Square, and several meeting rooms and convention spaces.

The Gainesville Renaissance building, completed in 2022, serves as the home for the Lynn J. Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling. Located just above retail space on the Gainesville square, the Darby School features a cutting edge virtual reality room that helps psychologists treat phobias, addictions and post traumatic stress disorder. The school also has a driving simulator, which helps people overcome their fear of driving and illustrates the impact of impaired driving in a safe environment. Brenau’s Permanent Art Collection can be found throughout the hallways and classrooms.

Inside the Renaissance, the Brenau Center for Counseling and Psychological Services welcomes clients from around the area, allowing second-year graduate students to hone their skills and gain critical knowledge before graduation and licensure.