A Look Into Boca Raton’s Booming Downtown and What The Future has in Store
Boca Life
Published on 01.1.2017
A Glamorous Legacy Inspires an Exciting Future
It takes the perfect blend of colorful history, superb location, iconic architecture and an elite, sophisticated citizenry to create an international destination – a place where every moment is a celebration. This is the essence of Via Mizner, an exclusive, landmark address in the heart of a beloved community, perfectly crafted for world-class lifestyles.
Welcome Home to Bespoke Living at Its Best
As one of a select few locations worldwide with a residential property bearing the Mandarin Oriental name, The Residences is truly a signature address. Upon arriving at the private entrance lobby, the cascading water element and grand staircase only hint at the striking design and details that abound throughout. Incomparable sophistication is imbued into each of the eighty-nine, light-filled homes that celebrate the Boca Raton lifestyle with absolute comfort and complete security.
Internationally Recognized for Luxury and Service
For over fifty years, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s reputation for impeccable service, distinctive designs and renowned, holistic spas has been key to its rapid expansion across the globe. Today, the company operates thirty-two hotels and seven Residences at Mandarin Oriental in 23 countries and territories. A dedication to the highest levels of customer satisfaction year after year has garnered Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group a most enviable ranking as a recognized leader in worldwide luxury hospitality.
Downtown Boca Raton is home to signature cultural events, historic and modern architecture, open-air concerts, an art museum, more than 75 restaurants featuring cuisine from around the globe, and boutiques catering to savvy fashionistas.
“There is always a reason to come early and stay late,” says Boca Raton Downtown Manager Ruby Childers. “Once people come, they don’t want to leave.”
And given the massive plans in the works for the coming years, people won’t have to. Hoping to be a testament to the phrase, “Build it and they will come,” the city has eight approved projects that are close to or already under construction.
The most coveted of these projects, due to open in late 2018, is The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, which will be located within Via Mizner. The five-star, urban resort in downtown Boca Raton will be a 12-story tall hotel and offer an intimate collection of 85 one- to four-bedroom luxury condominiums priced from $1.8 million. It will also feature The Penthouse Collection, offering five exceptional luxury units. Buyers will enjoy exclusive and privileged access to the distinctive charm of Mandarin Oriental, along with its world-class amenities, including a golf course, on-site spa, Michelin-star restaurant and more.
“This is by far the most exciting and luxurious development in South Florida, as the only hotel-branded residences in Palm Beach County and one of a select few Residences at Mandarin Oriental in the world,” says Harlan Goldberg, Douglas Elliman director of sales for the project.
Developing the property is Penn-Florida Companies, which is behind the entire Via Mizner destination. Comprised of three grand towers, the Via Mizner project has Boca buzzing with anticipation. The first tower, 101 Via Mizner, offers 366 luxury rental apartments. Not only is it complete and moving in residents, but it has already become an iconic architectural building downtown.
“This is by far the most exciting and luxurious development in South Florida.” – Harlan Goldberg
The project—which will also include restaurants, boutiques, a spa, resort-style pool and more—is being developed under the direction of Penn-Florida Companies, a full-service owner and developer of high-profile real estate. “Via Mizner will be one of the premier mixed-use projects in the country, and the arrival of Mandarin Oriental will raise the bar for hospitality and contemporary living in South Florida,” says Mark A. Gensheimer, president and owner of Penn-Florida Companies.
In addition to these high-profile builds, there are six approved projects that haven’t yet broken ground. They include:
• Via Mizner phases 2 and 3
• Tower 155 condo with 170 units
• University Village with 829 units
• Fairway Commons Park Place with 398 units
• Hyatt Place with 200 units
That’s not even taking into account 25 other proposed projects—like Midtown at Boca Town Center, with 649 units, and Lofts at Boca Colonnade, with 322 units—still awaiting a final OK.
Childers is pleased with what she sees. “The downtown is becoming a more livable district with the new residential buildings and planned hotels,” she says. “The majority of area businesses and residents are happy and eager to see our downtown grow into a more walkable and vibrant area for all to enjoy.”
While a majority of the focus has been on the concrete creations and enhancements of downtown, in the City of Boca Raton’s Strategic plan for 2016 to 2017, two of the top priorities for this fiscal year included a comprehensive waterfront plan and upgrades to Lake Wyman Park for greater usage of its parks and waterways, plus a conceptual master plan for the 20th Street area, which will focus on a college-centric student and family friendly area.
The city has recently chosen a vendor to begin the process of assessing the waterfront properties and gathering input from residents about the best recreational uses. The city’s coastal program manager recently gave a presentation to the city council about possible options that involve county and state funding, and a collaboration to provide additional boat launches, canoe trails and possible dockage.
The city has also contracted with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to gather input from stakeholders and begin the development of a plan for the 20th Street corridor outside of FAU, which will appeal to the college student and millennial markets.
There are several new and proposed mobility developments in and around the Park at Broken Sound, which will also cater to the millennial crowd, providing live, work and play options within walking and biking distance of homes and offices.
According to Jessica Del Vecchio, the city’s economic development manager, Boca Raton is home to 30 corporate headquarters and is a popular choice for companies looking to relocate or expand. “Our quality of life, educated workforce, highly advanced medical care, world-class shopping, dining and cultural options make Boca Raton an easy choice for corporate relocation. Boca Raton’s 46 parks and beautiful beaches highlight why we’re known as a ‘City Within A Park.’”
Boca Raton’s vibrancy, sophistication, revitalization and cultural history make it one of the nation’s most sought-after destinations, causing it to boom today, tomorrow and well into the future.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that The Residences at Mandarin Oriental will be located within the destination of Via Mizner, which is being developed by Penn-Florida Companies. The owners purchased the property in 2006 and have been in business for 30 years.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Policy for achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising, marketing and sales program which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. The sketches, renderings, pictures, photos, and designs depicted or described herein are conceptual in nature and are not to scale, are based upon preliminary development plans, may depict options, upgrades, features or views not available in all model types and are subject to change without notice in the manner provided in the applicable purchase agreement. No guarantees or representations whatsoever are made that any features, amenities or other facilities will be provided or, if provided, will be of the same type, size, location or nature as depicted or described herein. Any view from a unit or from other portions of the property may in the future be limited or eliminated by future development or forces of nature. Nearby golf courses, open spaces and other areas are not owned or operated by the Developer and there is no guarantee they will be operated or maintained for any particular purpose or in any particular manner. Many of the facilities within the project will not be located within the Residences. Certain facilities or services described herein will be provided by the hotel or club operators or others and may be subject to additional charges. Membership in the Club will be mandatory for unit owners and will require payment of additional dues, fees and costs. A substantial number of Club memberships will be available to non-residents. Business establishments may be sold to third parties, may be used for different purposes, and may change or discontinue operation at any time.
An offering is made only by the prospectus for the condominium and no statement should be relied upon if not made in the prospectus or in the applicable purchase agreement. Penn-Florida Realty Corporation is the Developer’s exclusive broker for this project. No solicitation, offer or sale of a unit in the Residences will be made in NY, NJ, or in any other jurisdiction in which such activity would be unlawful. Via Mizner Owner III, LLC (“Developer”) is a newly-formed entity, which is the sole offeror of the units being offered for sale as The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Boca Raton (“Residences”). Penn-Florida Capital Corp. and the other “Penn-Florida Companies” are affiliated with the Developer but are not the developer of the Residences. All statements and any representations herein shall be deemed to have been made solely by Developer. An affiliate of the Developer is developing the adjacent proposed Mandarin Oriental, Boca Raton hotel (“Hotel”) and the rental programs, if any, offered to unit owners in the Residences. Neither Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group nor any of its affiliates, nor their respective Officers, Directors, Agents or Employees (collectively, “MOHG”), are in any way owners, offerors, promoters, issuers or underwriters of, or responsible or liable for, or are making any representations or warranties with respect to, the Developer, construction of the Residences, any offering for sale of the real property constituting the Residences, or any increase or return on related investment. MOHG has not assumed and has no liability or responsibility for any financial statements, projections or other financial information contained in any sales and marketing materials, prospectus or similar written or oral statements relating to the Residences. Developer has the sole right and responsibility for the manner and means by which the Residences are sold, and for all representations in relation to the Residences. Developer has obtained rights to use the “Mandarin Oriental” name and trademarks (“MOHG Marks”) in connection with the Residences and the Hotel subject to the terms and conditions of non-exclusive license agreements which may be terminated at any time upon certain occurrences. The right to use the MOHG Marks in connection with the Residences is thus not guaranteed and no such right is included in the Residence being acquired by any purchaser. If any of the relevant agreements are terminated, or Mandarin Oriental ceases to manage the Hotel or Residences for any reason, use of the MOHG Marks in connection with the Hotel and Residences may be terminated at MOHG’s discretion.
The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Boca Raton (The Residences) are not developed, sponsored, owned, offered or sold by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group or any affiliate thereof (MOHG), and MOHG makes no representation, warranty or guaranty of any kind regarding The Residences. The developers and owners of The Residences use the Mandarin Oriental name and trademarks subject to the terms of revocable licenses from MOHG which may expire or be terminated.
Photographs and artwork are lifestyle photographs and conceptual artist renderings.