Changing The Skyline of Downtown Boca Raton

Posted by Brian Pearl on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014 at 10:35pm

Development on rental projects has made construction crews the stars of Boca Raton's  downtown skyline. This tourist season is fueled by new construction to meet the demand for space.

Archstone Downtown Boca Raton FLThe 261-unit Camden Boca Raton complex is still under construction, at 131 S. Federal Highway. The Mark at CityScape is also a work in progress, located just behind 120 E. Palmetto Park Road. When completed it will have 208 units. Advertisers are promoting the Camden will be ready for occupancy as soon as this summer. Though the 12-story Mark is projecting an opening early next year.

Construction cranes will remain a part of the skyline for now. Work is still progressing on the 350-unit Via Mizner, at Federal Highway and Camino Real. Developers say they will be ready for renters by the end of next year or early 2016.This project was designed by architect Derek Vander Ploeg.

Tower One Fifty Five was also designed by Ploeg, and an opening date is anticipated just before the 2015 tourism season. This project is geared toward young adults, located at the northwest corner of Mizner Boulevard and Boca Raton Road. The building will have 192 units with only one or two bedrooms. Soaring ceilings are the focal point of these units.

Via Mizner was the first building to be approved under the city's new interim design guidelines. This structure will rise 140 feet.

Vander Ploeg has stated that the tourists demand for apartments at The Heritage complex across from City Hall is evidence that renters want to be at the center of Boca Raton. The complex has salvaged the bones of a previous project failure called the Eden, now has a waiting list to get in.

"It's doing quite well," Vander Ploeg said.

Another structure that will change the cityscape will be the 13-story Hyatt Place Hotel, planned for the southeast corner of Federal and Palmetto Park Road. For now it is just a proposal, but planners are confident that it is the ideal project for the location at the corner. It is ideal as a the main location in Boca Raton for a landmark building of architectural significance.

Ongoing construction on a new Trader Joe's continues at  855 S. Federal Highway. Though the California-based grocery chain hopes to open in May, the website says that the Boca Raton store is "coming soon."

Construction has been stalled at the Archstone site on East Palmetto Park between Third and Fifth avenues. This controversial project was originally scheduled to be completed and open by now.

The attorney for Archstone Palmetto Park LLC, Charles Siemon, said this project was being sold in early April.

The project was originally planned for nine-stories containing 378-units. It was initially approved under the interim design guidelines at 100 feet high, but with balconies 13½ feet from the right of way instead of 20 feet.

Development Services Director John Hixenbaugh said that the developer Archstone Palmetto Park LLC was given legal permission to proceed Jan. 29 but has not shown the city any construction drawings yet.

Local residents were worried that the project would bring vehicle traffic and noise pollution, but the project won City Council permission in 2012. Residents petitioned to have a referendum on the approval but the city refused, stating that voters have no right to review a development order. A Circuit judge ruled the citizens could put the issue on the ballot. In the end the matter was settled on Jan. 29.

Archstone has asked for an extra year to begin construction, their extended approval expires on  the 27th of February in 2015.

New owners have brought renewed hope for the project. "I feel they will move quickly to finish the construction plans," Siemon said, speculation on new construction to be six months away.

Adhearing to the original plans, the project at Archstone Palmetto Park will be one structure that connects three towers. With the addition of a 13,448 square feet of retail on the ground floor, mostly for restaurants, the site in its entirety spans nearly 5.8 acres. Amenities will include a pool, clubroom, fitness room and landscaped courtyard.

Contact us for more information and to stay updated on these and many more new construction developments in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Highland Beach, and throughout Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

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