Real estate students are gaining a space where they can meet with mentors and have a place to study.
The newly renovated Kelley A. Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies at Bryan Hall had its opening ceremony Thursday. The 2,100-square-foot renovation cost $500,000. The space now features several offices for staff and a conference room where students can meet with mentors and real estate professionals.
The project was supposed to be completed by June 29 but was delayed, said Tim Becker, the center’s director. Two of the walls were load-bearing, which means they couldn’t be taken down immediately due to safety concerns. This is why the timeline had to be adjusted.
Bryan Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus, he said. The building is 101 years old, which made construction more difficult.
Wayne Archer, the executive director of the center, said he was happy with the turnout for the opening.
"We have a really special spirit in the group," he said.
He said the new conference room will be a great resource for students and mentors.
"It seems like a small thing, but it’s not," he said. "It’s huge."
Mahmoud Mihanyar, a real estate master’s student, said it was important for him to be at the ceremony.
"Our new center is fabulous," the 27-year-old said. "It’s a great place. It’s very modern."
Contact Caitlin Ostroff at costroff@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @ceostroff
John Kraft, far right, Dean of the Warrington College of Business, watches during the ribbon-cutting of the newly renovated Kelley A. Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies at Bryan Hall in September 2015.
