UF’s Broward Dining Renovation Earns LEEDv4 Retail Gold Certification

May 18, 2026 – The 28,000-square-foot project, completed following an intensive 15-month renovation, is the second building at UF, after the Racquet Club, to achieve LEEDv4 Retail Gold certification.

Designed to reimagine the campus dining experience, The Eatery at Broward introduces a modern, welcoming environment that enhances student life while supporting the growing Honors Village community. The redesigned space features an innovative floor plan and expanded seating capacity, improving both functionality and comfort for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

“This achievement reflects the University of Florida’s continued leadership in sustainability and innovation,” said Brandi Renton, UF’s Vice President for Business Affairs. “Broward Dining demonstrates how thoughtful design, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship can come together to elevate the everyday student experience.”

UF partnered closely with Chartwells Higher Education throughout the planning, design, and operational phases, ensuring sustainability remained central at every stage, from infrastructure and equipment selection to waste-reduction strategies.

The project’s success is grounded in a strong commitment across three key sustainability pillars:

• Economic Impact: The facility exceeds energy code requirements by 27%, integrates ENERGY STAR kitchen equipment, and reduces water use by 26%.
• Occupant Well-Being: The design improves indoor air quality, incorporates heat-reducing systems, and expands access to healthy, locally sourced food options.
• Environmental Stewardship: The project prioritizes sustainable materials, reduces light pollution, and diverted 89% of construction waste, keeping 2.2 million pounds out of landfills.

“At Chartwells, sustainability is not an add-on, but a core part of how we design, build, and operate campus dining spaces,” said Monalisa Prasad, Vice President of Sustainability at Chartwells Higher Education. “Achieving LEEDv4 at UF demonstrates what is possible when operational excellence and environmental responsibility work hand in hand.”

“Students who dine in this space have overwhelmingly embraced the building, reflecting its success as both a welcoming and highly functional environment,” added Matt Mueller, UF’s Director of Food and Beverage Services.

This milestone builds on UF’s growing momentum in sustainability efforts and highlights the strength of its partnership with Chartwells Higher Education. Together, they are creating dining experiences that align with how today’s students live, learn, and connect.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

The University of Florida, the flagship university of the nation’s third-most-populous state, is a leading public research institution with an enterprise budget exceeding $10 billion. UF is the third-largest U.S. public university by enrollment and offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of academic programs in the country. Its 16 colleges span fields including engineering, law, medicine, nursing, veterinary medicine, journalism, and business. UF is one of only two public universities in Florida in the Association of American Universities (AAU), representing the nation’s top 64 research institutions, and maintains more than 150 mission-focused units statewide with a presence in all 67 counties.

ABOUT CHARTWELLS HIGHER EDUCATION

Chartwells Higher Education is a recognized leader in campus dining, serving forward-thinking colleges and universities across the country. With a focus on sustainability, culinary innovation, and meaningful campus partnerships, Chartwells designs dining programs that nourish the academic experience and support institutional goals.