Atlantic Pacific Companies and the Boca Raton Housing Authority have received unanimous approval from the Boca Raton City Council to expand affordable housing at the Residences at Martin Manor. The approved plan allows for the addition of 105 apartments in two new three-story buildings, including 54 one-bedroom, 42 two-bedroom, and nine three-bedroom units. This expansion is part of a larger redevelopment of the former Dixie Manor complex at 1350 North Dixie Highway, which will transform the site from its original 95 units into a modern community with a total of 200 apartments.
Ele Zachariades, lobbyist for Atlantic Pacific, addressed the council about the project’s significance: “Dixie Manor was developed many moons ago, between the 1940s and 1980s, and [the buildings] were in disrepair.” While most original structures are being demolished, one building from the 1940s will be preserved. Half of this building will become a museum dedicated to Pearl City, an early African American neighborhood that predates Boca Raton.
Ashley Whidby, executive director of the Boca Raton Housing Authority, said that all new apartments will be reserved for households earning between 30 percent and 80 percent of area median income (AMI). In Palm Beach County as of 2025, this range corresponds to $24,570 to $65,520 for a single-person household according to Florida Housing Finance Corporation data.
Atlantic Pacific Communities was selected in 2024 to lead the redevelopment effort. The company has several other affordable housing projects underway across South Florida. These include a planned 600-unit development near St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Leisure City; a proposed 71-unit building near Liberty City’s Carver Theater; an eight-story project with 375 apartments in Miami’s Overtown; and a collaboration with Casa Familia on a Kendall project for disabled adults.
Other developers are also adding affordable housing options in Boca Raton. In June, Peachtree Group’s affiliate and 900 Broken Sound Acquisition received city approval for a mixed-use project with 289 units—including workforce and affordable housing—at Northwest Broken Sound Parkway. Oak Lane Partners is planning a Live Local Act apartment project at Park of Commerce Boulevard that will offer both affordable apartments and townhouses.
“Dixie Manor was developed many moons ago, between the 1940s and 1980s, and [the buildings] were in disrepair,” Zachariades said during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Atlantic Pacific CEO Howard Cohen leads these initiatives as part of efforts to address high demand for affordable housing in Boca Raton.
“A large waiting list” prompted expansion plans by Atlantic Pacific and the Housing Authority, according to Zachariades.
