The University of North Florida hosted a ribbon cutting Wednesday, July 16, for the opening of Osprey Ridge, a new honors residence hall.
UNF President Moez Limayem and Dr. Scott Brown, UNF Hicks Honors College interim dean, were joined by City Councilman Will Lahnen as well as other campus and community leaders at the ceremony.
Opening for fall 2025, the new residence hall community is located on Osprey Ridge Road next to Osprey Fountains and features a new scenic boardwalk connecting it to the main campus.
“Today marks an important moment in UNF’s commitment to student success and academic excellence,” said Limayem. “Osprey Ridge is more than a place to live. It is a vibrant community designed to inspire academic achievement, foster personal growth and create lifelong connections.”
This modern, four-story building spans more than 165,000 square feet and offers comfortable housing for approximately 520 students from any UNF program. It includes a living-learning community where first-year and upper-class Hicks Honors College students can collaborate with others who have similar academic goals or shared interests.
The facility includes living areas, study areas, lounge rooms, kitchenettes, a catering room and convenience store. Outdoor amenities include pickleball and sand volleyball courts surrounded by scenic green space. Every room comes with moveable hardwood furniture, including a twin extra-long bed, desk, chair, dresser and closet space.
Osprey Ridge marks UNF’s first major housing expansion since 2009.
The new building was designed by PBK. Construction was completed by Ajax Building Co. and included work by at least six employees who are UNF alumni.
“My time at UNF gave me the skills and confidence I needed to start my career in construction,” said Sid Myakala, a project engineer who received his master’s in construction management from UNF in 2024. “As a former student myself, it means a lot to be part of a project that will have a lasting impact on campus.”
Ilie Tomlin, assistant project manager who received his bachelor’s in construction management from UNF in 2021, said working on Osprey Ridge, which was a complex project, was a full-circle moment for him.
“UNF gave me a solid academic foundation through essential coursework that translated well into real-world career challenges,” he said.
The second phase of this project, an academic center adjacent to the residence hall, is in the early-planning stages thanks to support from the state legislature as well as the generosity of the Ann and David Hicks family.
Renovations are also underway on other existing dorm rooms. In addition, construction is set to begin this fall on another new residence hall opening in fall 2027. UNF has leased land on First Coast Tech Parkway to Chance Partners real estate development company to build a new four-building residence hall that will hold approximately 700 beds, a clubhouse and a pool.
