The City of Fort Lauderdale has approved a significant redevelopment project at The Quay at 17th Street, a waterfront retail and office plaza. The plan is being led by a partnership between The Related Group, BH Group, and Pebb Enterprises. Each company is based in South Florida and has collaborated on other projects in the region.
This redevelopment was granted administrative approval under Florida’s Live Local Act. This state law enables qualifying affordable housing initiatives to move forward without standard public hearings if they meet certain requirements.
The proposed project will transform the current mixed-use complex and six-yacht marina located at 1515 17th Street into a new development called The Quay. Plans call for a 33-story building with 521 apartments, about 5,000 square feet of commercial space, and more than 750 parking spaces. Of the residential units, 217 will be designated for affordable and workforce housing.
Apartment options are expected to range from studios to three-bedroom units. In addition to new residences, developers aim to create a waterfront public plaza while keeping the existing shopping center and two office buildings on site.
Currently, zoning allows for up to 361 residential units and as much as 12,000 square feet of retail or restaurant space on the lot. However, because at least 40 percent of the homes in the new project will be affordable units under the Live Local Act, city officials can approve higher density without needing city commission approval.
Last year, this development group purchased The Quay property for $48.5 million. They also own Ocean Walk in Riviera Beach and the former Office Depot headquarters campus in Boca Raton—where they have plans for another mixed-use development featuring apartments, fitness facilities, retail stores, and restaurants.
The Quay project joins other Live Local developments planned by Related Group throughout South Florida. Recently, its affordable housing division submitted proposals for a multifamily residential tower and hotel at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Miami campus: “Related is seeking to develop a 27-story tower with 460 apartments, a 31-story tower with 382 units and an 18-story, 128-key hotel. The development would also include 4,200 square feet of retail and 714 parking spaces in a pair of seven-story garages.”
