ARCO Delivers Hub on Third Avenue Student Housing Through Strategic Cost and Schedule Alignment

ARCO National Construction delivered Hub on Third Avenue, a 324,450-square-foot mixed-use student housing development in Gainesville, Florida, for Core Spaces. The project combines high-density residential units, structured parking, and ground-floor retail within a prominent campus-adjacent location. 

ARCO joined the project after rising construction costs placed both budget and schedule at risk. Through a design-assist approach, ARCO partnered with the design team to generate $2.5 million in cost savings while maintaining the original project vision and achieving on-time completion.

As the project progressed, pricing exceeded the owner’s budget and the schedule faced a potential two-month delay. ARCO conducted a comprehensive review of the building’s structure, systems, and construction sequencing to identify opportunities to improve efficiency without affecting unit mix, amenities, or overall design intent.

Working closely with the architectural and design teams, ARCO provided integrated structural and MEPF design-build solutions. Early coordination and system optimization reduced complexity, improved constructability, and aligned the project with budget and schedule goals. 

These efforts generated $2.5 million in savings and eliminated the anticipated schedule delay.

Hub on Third Avenue features a seven-story, double-courtyard residential building over a concrete podium. The development includes 555 beds across 202 fully furnished units, offering a range of micro, studio, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom layouts. 

The building incorporates 28 private balconies and multiple outdoor living spaces that enhance the residential experience while maintaining density within an urban footprint.

The project includes an extensive amenity program designed to support student engagement and community. Second-floor courtyards feature gathering spaces and private hot tubs, while a 10,000-square-foot rooftop deck includes a pool, hot tubs, fire pits, a bar, daybeds, and multiple lounge areas. 

These amenities were carefully coordinated with the building structure to maximize usability while maintaining efficient construction sequencing and long-term performance.

At street level, the development includes 10,812 square feet of retail space across nine storefronts, contributing to the surrounding streetscape. A three-story precast concrete parking garage accommodates vehicles, bicycles, and scooters, supporting resident mobility while minimizing site congestion. 

The integration of residential, retail, and parking uses required detailed coordination of structure, circulation, and building systems within a constrained site.

ARCO’s experience with complex student housing allowed the team to manage podium construction, vertical framing, MEPF coordination, and amenity integration while maintaining schedule momentum. By aligning design decisions early, ARCO minimized rework, reduced risk, and delivered a cohesive, high-quality student housing development that met both performance and schedule expectations.

The successful delivery of Hub on Third Avenue demonstrates ARCO National Construction’s ability to resolve budget and schedule challenges through collaboration and technical expertise. By leveraging a strategic design-assist approach, ARCO transformed a project under pressure into a successful, on-time delivery that met the owner’s performance and quality expectations.