CPPI Completes UF Health The Oaks in Former Sears Store Space
Gainesville, Fla. – Charles Perry Partners, Inc. (CPPI) has joined with UF Health at the forefront of a growing national trend: the repurposing of former big box retail spaces into state-of-the-art health care facilities.
On Jan. 15, UF Health leaders cut the ribbon on UF Health The Oaks, a completely re-imagined use of the former Sears space at the Oaks Mall, 6201 W. Newberry Road.
CPPI, working with UF Health leaders and Brookfield Properties, the mall owner, over 14 months moved crucial medical services into the heart of the community while invigorating Gainesville’s most popular shopping area with a distinctive, visually inspiring health care destination.
UF Health The Oaks comprises ophthalmology (eye specialties), otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat, including allergy) and audiology services provided by UF Health faculty in the 139,000-square-foot former Sears space. UF Health The Oaks includes 87 exam rooms, 15 procedure rooms including laser rooms, eight treatment rooms and 10 sound booths across the three practices. A surgical center for ophthalmology and otolaryngology procedures is set to open later this year.
“UF Health had the vision to look past the old and tired retail space to create a new and inspired place of healing,’’ said CPPI Executive Vice President/Principal Matt Webster.
The mall is an excellent site for several reasons, said Ed Jimenez, CEO of UF Health Shands.
“Big box spaces create an interesting opportunity when it comes to contemplating new spaces for organizations like us. With the right box, you get the ability to almost build new, and transform it into whatever you want,” said Jimenez.
Visitors will have more than 500 parking spaces and easy access to shopping and dining. Patients can also shop for eyeglasses, contact lenses and hearing aids at two stores adjacent to the practices.
“This new facility will not only provide premier health care services, but will support economic development in a slowing retail segment,’’ said CPPI’s Webster. “It is a shining example of adaptive reuse and sustainable growth that Gainesville and Alachua communities desire.”
“The multiple layers of community and economic benefit begin with adding over 100 employees and 300 patients and family members daily to the mall retail environment,” said Bradley Pollitt, A.I.A., UF Health Shands Facilities Development vice president. Adding a medical business into the retail portion of the mall increased business for both environments.
“As cities face the dwindling appeal of traditional malls, this configuration opens new doors to attraction of patrons and sets up these parking-rich environment to become true mixed-use environments,’’ Pollitt said. “Brookfield Properties has a history of successful mixed use (office, retail, residential) developments. UF Health may be the anchor store for the new redevelopment of the Oaks Mall as a world-class, mixed-use community.’’
UF Health and CPPI have a long history of working together. In mid-2018, CPPI completed the UF Health Springhill Building III, the latest addition to the Springhill health care campus on 39th Avenue in Northwest Gainesville.
The latest move puts UF Health and CPPI at the crest of a national wave of health care providers repurposing available space at malls. In 2017, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute struck a long-term deal to redevelop a former mall near Boston. Vanderbilt Health has transformed part of a once-struggling mall into a multiclinic health and wellness destination near its Nashville, Tennessee campus. The Mall of America recently announced a collaboration with University of Minnesota physicians to bring a walk-in clinic with exam rooms, radiology services and a pharmacy to the site.
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Ranked one of Engineering News-Record’s 2019 “Top Contractors,” Charles Perry Partners, Inc. (CPPI) is one of the Southeast’s largest privately held construction firms. Recognized as a powerhouse of innovation, sustainability, craftsmanship and expertise, CPPI performs a wide range of design-build, construction management and general contracting services, including project planning and modeling, budget estimating and cost management, project scheduling and construction.
Since 1968, CPPI has completed work for many industries, but specializes in the healthcare, education, and commercial sectors. For more information, please visit CPPI’s website at www.cppi.com, follow CPPI on Twitter @CPPI_News, or call 888-435-CPPI.