Pharmacy Chain to Revitalize Former University Campus in Piracicaba
The Rede Drogal pharmacy chain is set to transform a significant portion of the former Taquaral campus of the Methodist University of Piracicaba (Unimep) in Piracicaba into a multi-purpose complex. The ambitious 'Campus Drogal' project, with an estimated investment of R$ 80 million, aims to repurpose the 189.8 thousand m² site acquired for R$ 35 million in September 2025. This initiative is part of Unimep's judicial recovery process, which has led to the sale of several properties to address substantial debts, including R$ 477.1 million in labor claims. The plan includes a new 30,000 m² logistics distribution center, administrative offices capable of housing up to 2,000 employees, and manipulation laboratories. A theater, to be managed by a specialized cultural firm, will also be reopened to the public. In a future phase, the site will host a university center offering undergraduate health programs such as Pharmacy, Psychology, and Physiotherapy, in partnership with an educational institution. External grounds maintenance has already begun, with electrical and hydraulic network work underway. This development contrasts with the campus's disused state for over a year, marked by signs of abandonment. Another part of the former campus, spanning 170.8 thousand m², was sold to Delta Max for R$ 20 million in May 2025 to become a distribution center. Other Unimep assets, including a farm and a music school building, have also been auctioned as part of the institution's financial recovery efforts.
The repurposing of the former Unimep campus by Rede Drogal highlights a strategic response to evolving urban and economic landscapes, transforming underutilized educational infrastructure into a functional commercial hub. This initiative addresses the financial distress of the educational institution by liquidating assets to meet creditor obligations, a common outcome in judicial recovery processes. The project's scale, encompassing logistics, administration, and future educational components, suggests a long-term vision for regional economic development and job creation. However, it also raises questions about the sustainability of such large-scale repurposing projects and the potential for market shifts to impact long-term viability. The integration of educational offerings alongside commercial operations could foster synergistic growth, but requires careful governance to ensure academic quality is not compromised by commercial imperatives.
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