ARCO National Construction Delivers Hub on University Student Housing Through Design-Assist Solutions in Gainesville, Florida

ARCO National Construction delivered Hub on University, a 193,875-square-foot mixed-use student housing development in Gainesville, Florida, after a design-assist strategy generated approximately $1.5 million in cost savings and stabilized a project facing significant financial risk. Developed for Core Spaces, the project combines high-density residential units, ground-floor retail, and structured parking in a highly competitive university market. 

ARCO joined the project after escalating costs led to the replacement of the original general contractor and placed the project’s feasibility and schedule in jeopardy. Through early technical involvement and close collaboration with the design team, ARCO realigned building systems, controlled costs, and delivered the project on schedule without compromising scope or performance.

Prior to ARCO’s involvement, the project faced significant financial and schedule challenges. As the design progressed from schematic phase to permit drawings, construction pricing increased by approximately 32 percent, placing the project at risk of cancellation or year-long delay. This escalation created the need for a construction partner capable of providing immediate cost certainty and technical leadership. 

ARCO was able to evaluate the project holistically and deliver solutions that aligned the design with the owner’s budget and schedule expectations.

ARCO implemented a design-assist strategy, working closely with the architectural team to provide turnkey structural and MEPF design-build solutions. By actively participating in the refinement of building systems and constructability decisions, ARCO identified opportunities to reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and control costs without compromising the project’s scope or performance. 

This collaborative process resulted in approximately $1.5 million in savings for the owner, allowing the project to move forward while maintaining its original delivery timeline. ARCO’s early engagement and technical input were instrumental in stabilizing the project and restoring confidence among stakeholders.

Hub on University consists of five- and eight-story residential buildings constructed over post-tension podiums. The development includes 411 beds across 109 fully furnished units, offering a mix of micro, one-, two-, four-, and five-bedroom layouts designed to meet the needs of today’s student population.

The exterior features wood-look aluminum siding, providing durability while still achieving a modern aesthetic. Twenty-three private balconies and seven private hot tubs further enhance the site.

The project places a strong emphasis on amenities, with a fifth-floor amenity deck featuring a swimming pool, hot tubs, daybeds, lounge areas, and grilling and dining spaces. A second-floor open courtyard includes putting greens and additional lounge areas, creating multiple social environments for residents. 

These amenity spaces were carefully coordinated within the building structure to maximize usability while maintaining efficient construction sequencing.

At street level, the project includes 9,319 square feet of retail space across eight storefronts, contributing to the surrounding urban environment and enhancing the project’s mixed-use appeal. 

The development also incorporates a two-story, partially underground parking garage with capacity for 68 vehicles, 33 scooters, and storage for 120 bicycles. Integrating parking, retail, and residential uses within a constrained site required precise coordination of structure, circulation, and building systems.

Delivering Hub on University required disciplined planning and execution across multiple building types and levels. ARCO’s experience with complex, multi-story residential construction allowed the team to manage podium construction, vertical framing, and MEPF coordination efficiently while maintaining schedule momentum. 

By aligning design decisions with construction realities early in the process, ARCO minimized rework, reduced risk, and delivered a cohesive, high-quality student housing development.

The successful delivery of Hub on University highlights ARCO National Construction’s ability to step into challenging projects and provide immediate value through collaboration, technical expertise, and cost control. The project stands as a strong example of how ARCO’s design-assist capabilities can transform a project at risk into a successful, on-time delivery.