Exciting times are ahead for Boca Raton as the city gears up for a significant makeover near the bustling intersection of Glades Road and Dixie Highway. With the City Council's recent approval, a nearly 4-acre industrial site will transform into a vibrant retail and dining hub.
The proposed development features three one-story buildings, encompassing over 28,000 square feet of new retail, office, and restaurant space. This redevelopment, situated at 50 Glades Road, signals a major shift from its current use for industrial storage to a lively community center.
Ele Zachariades, an urban planner and planning lawyer with Dunay, Miskel and Backman, leads this ambitious project. While specific tenants are yet to be decided, the vision is clear: high-end, quality businesses to elevate the area's profile. Renderings presented to the City Council hint at a modern-looking plaza, with potential examples like Starbucks, Lululemon, and Louie Bossi’s pizzeria.
The project is split into two sections: the East and West proposals. The West side plans to house two buildings, one dedicated to retail and the other combining fast-food with more retail space. The East section will feature a mix of fast-food, a restaurant with outdoor seating, retail spaces, and office areas.
City staff have thrown their support behind this project, highlighting the need to revitalize an area currently in deterioration. The proposed contemporary design, complete with large windows and outdoor patios, aims to create inviting spaces for community gatherings. A striking 30-foot aluminum sculpture next to a fountain may also be a part of this new landscape.
Marc Wigder, a City Council member and chair of the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency, expressed optimism about the project's impact on local employment and resource accessibility.
Embracing the 'live-work-play' concept, this development complements the growing trend of residential apartments and condos in Boca Raton. The idea is to create an environment where people can dine, work, and shop without needing to use their vehicle.
Despite predictions of increased traffic, the project plans include changes to surrounding roads to manage the expected influx. As for the construction timeline, no specific dates were mentioned during the council meeting, but with city approval in hand, this ambitious development is now set to become a reality, reshaping a key area of Boca Raton into a modern and dynamic destination.
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