The City of Fort Lauderdale has given administrative approval for a significant redevelopment project at The Quay at 17th Street, a waterfront retail and office plaza. The project is being led by a partnership between The Related Group, BH Group, and Pebb Enterprises, firms that have previously collaborated on other South Florida developments.
The redevelopment will transform the existing mixed-use complex and six-yacht marina, located at 1515 17th Street, into a 33-story project. The plan includes 521 apartments, over 5,000 square feet of commercial space, and more than 750 parking spaces. Of the residential units, 217 will be reserved for affordable and workforce housing. The unit options will include studios up to three-bedroom apartments. The developers also plan to add a waterfront public plaza while maintaining the current shopping center and two office buildings.
The project was approved under Florida’s Live Local Act, which permits qualifying affordable housing developments to bypass standard public hearings and exceed existing zoning restrictions if at least 40 percent of the homes are designated as affordable. The current zoning allows for 361 residential units and up to 12,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, but the new plan exceeds these limits due to the provisions of the state law.
Last year, the development group purchased The Quay property for $48.5 million. The same partnership also owns Ocean Walk in Riviera Beach and the former Office Depot headquarters in Boca Raton, where it plans another mixed-use development with residential and commercial components.
The Quay project is part of Related Group’s expanding portfolio of Live Local developments in South Florida. Recently, its affordable and workforce housing division submitted plans for another project at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s campus in Miami. That proposal includes two residential towers and a hotel, with additional retail space and parking facilities.
“The partnership wants to redevelop the mixed-use complex and six-yacht marina on seven acres at 1515 17th Street into The Quay, a 33-story project with 521 apartments along with 5,000 square feet of commercial space and more than 750 parking spaces. The developers plan to set aside 217 units for affordable and workforce housing, plans show.”
“The developers also intend to create a waterfront public plaza, while retaining the existing shopping center and two office buildings on the site.”
“The lot is currently zoned for 361 residential units and up to 12,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, but under the Live Local Act, the city can approve the greater density without city commission approval since 40 percent of the homes will be affordable.”
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