Argonaut Village Retail Development Site

The UWF Campus Master Plan identified the east campus enterprise zone as a strategic development location for the University. UWF BEI identified development opportunities for mixed-use restaurant and retail facilities in this area of campus, to be open to the UWF community as well as the general public.

Adding restaurants and retail facilities to this area of campus will offer a unique, vibrant atmosphere to UWF students, faculty and staff and attract prospective students and visitors of the Northwest Florida region to the UWF campus, increasing the University’s visibility.

The Argonaut Village Retail Development Site features a mix of retail price points that are attractive to the University community as well as the general public. Starbucks (Aramark) opened in June 2015. Herbal Nails opened in 2016. The UWF Center for Behavior Analysis joined in Fall 2019. Eurasian Bistro opened in 2022.

UWF Business Enterprises, Inc., in partnership with Compass/Chartwells, broke ground in the Spring of 2014 for the Argonaut Village, a collection of retail shops located at the east entrance of campus. The initial infrastructure and building shell construction was completed in the Spring of 2015. Starbucks was the first retail store to open in June 2015. Herbal Nails opened in 2016. In Fall 2019, the UWF Center for Behavior Analysis also joined Argonaut Village. Eurasian Bistro joined in 2022.

As a direct support organization of the University of West Florida, Business Enterprises, Inc. is committed to leadership in the area of environmental stewardship as new development occurs on campus. UWF BEI is working closely with environmental agencies to ensure all new development is built according to code, and that the environmental footprint is managed effectively.

Currently, seven UWF facilities have received the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification status. LEED certified buildings rated as “Gold” include: the College of Business Education Center; President’s Hall; Heritage Hall and the Wellness Center. The Child Care Center; the Science and Engineering Building and Building 70 Applied Science and Technology Renovation received a “Silver” rating There are four (4) ratings, “Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum” in order of lower to higher designation.  LEED, a program that was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, provides guidelines for green building design and construction solutions.

There are 85 parking spaces available in front (east) of the Development and 58 parking spaces in the lot west of the Development.