Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/25/26

Key Takeaways

  • The University of Central Florida completed an $8.6 million, nine-month renovation of 77,600 square feet at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, upgrading classrooms, labs, offices, and collaborative spaces while the campus remained operational.
  • The project introduced modern learning amenities, including renovated teaching labs, redesigned dining and bar training spaces, expanded collaborative work areas, and a transformed library now known as the Rosen College Commons.
  • The renovation supports Rosen College's broader growth strategy by enhancing experiential learning and preparing students for hospitality careers at a college with an almost 100% job placement rate.

The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty. The university partnered with Skanska for its construction, which cost about $8.6 million and took nine months to complete.

New amenities include enhancements to 16 classrooms, modernizing office areas to create collaborative workspaces, renovating the Anheuser-Busch Beer & Wine Lab, reconfiguring the Disney Dining Room to maximize space and add an open bar area, and transforming the campus library into the Rosen College Commons, the news release reports.

Photo credit: RiMO Photo, LLC

“Delivering this academic building renovation at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in just nine months, while the campus remained fully operational, required extensive coordination, flexibility and a strong partnership with the University of Central Florida,” said Tracy Hunt, Skanska Florida’s executive vice president and general manager. “Our Skanska team successfully transformed the space with upgraded classrooms and purpose-built collaborative environments. We’re proud to have completed a project that enhances the learning experience and supports hospitality education, a key economic driver for our region and state.”

The renovation is part of a larger growth plan for Rosen College, following the launch of the Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation. The college boasts an almost-100-percent job placement rate and offers specialized degrees like theme park and attraction management, according to the news release.

"This project reflects Rosen College's continued commitment to providing an exceptional student experience through modern learning environments that support both academic and professional growth," said Dr. Cynthia Mejia, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management dean. "The renovated spaces serve students across the college and create new opportunities for collaboration, engagement and experiential learning as we continue to prepare the next generation of hospitality, tourism and experience industry leaders."

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • S4L Announces 2026 Education Design Showcase Winners

    Spaces4Learning is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 Education Design Showcase! Now in its 27th year, the annual awards program honors innovative solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction across K–12 and higher education.

  • Minnesota District Starts Construction on Early Childhood Learning Center

    Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools in Sauk Rapids, Minn., recently announced that construction has begun on a new early childhood learning center and a new outdoor activities complex, according to a news release.

  • Texas Recruitment

    Texas Recruitment

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The University of Texas at Austin's Texas Recruitment has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • abstract illustration of school gym

    How the Gymnasium Can Serve as a Model for Learning Space Design

    Multipurpose gyms work because flexibility was built into the brief from the start, not retrofitted later. The same logic applies to academic spaces.