A University Avenue student center will transform into a food and business center next year.
The Presbyterian and Disciples of Christ Student Center, located at 1402 W. University Ave., will leave its current building, and the space will reopen in the summer of 2013 as U14, a hub of seven retail spaces and food venues.
The move will also affect the 35-year-old Burrito Bros. Taco Co. that resides in the back of the building, a restaurant staple for the Gainesville community.
Seth Lane, a director of Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group, said his company is planning to get Burrito Bros. a renovated space in U14.
Lane said the center is expanding to about 9,500 square feet. There will be seven suites for retail and a 6,500-square-foot porch for patrons.
About 20 businesses have shown interest, Lane said.
UF architecture alumni Elaina Berkowitz and Roland Faust designed the plans for the center as part of a design competition hosted by the developers. The contest was only open to UF juniors and seniors.
Project architect Stephen Bender said having that student involvement adds to the value of the property.
“It was really fun to work on and for us it was a really exciting project,” said Berkowitz, 22. “It meant a lot to be able to create a new icon in the community.”
Representatives for the student center couldn’t be reached for comment.
