Apartments in Boca aim to lure young professionals

BOCA RATON — More apartments are coming to Boca Raton as the city makes room for young professionals and empty nesters.

Two new complexes are planned in a growing corridor of retail and office space on Yamato Road just west of Interstate 95.

The area appeals to renters who work in the area or depend on Tri-Rail to get to work, as well as older people downsizing once their children have moved on, says Mayor Scott Singer.

“I think it’s helping attract new residents, particularly younger ones, to Boca and assisting our businesses and attracting talent here. In that regard, it’s been successful,” he said.

The planned development are Aura Boca, near Yamato Road and Congress Avenue, and Manor Broken Sound, near Yamato Road and Military Trail.

The management companies for both communities boast extensive portfolios with similar properties across South Florida and beyond.

As of Thursday, the eight-story Aura

had leased 55 apartments and still had 266 available. Floor plans include different configurations of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and rent ranges from about $1,800 for a 700-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit to over $3,400 for a 1,400-square-foot, three-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit, according to its website.

With a pet spa, electric car charging stations, clubhouse, pool pavilion, jacuzzi, gym and more, Aura promises “resort-inspired features for an everyday retreat-style stay.”

The community is managed by Bozzuto, which runs a number of properties across the country. In South Florida, they include Avalia in Boca Raton, Caoba in Miami, Emera Port Royale in Fort Lauderdale and more.

Manor Broken Sound, which is not as far along in development as Aura, will consist of 297 units between a six-story main building and six freestanding “mini mansions.” The property’s owner, Related Group, also owns Auberge Beach Residences and Spa in Fort Lauderdale, 444 Brickell in Miami and other luxury rental residential properties.

The community will include a resort-style pool with a spa and cabanas, as well as a lawn and outdoor pavilion. Leasing and pricing information was not yet available. Representatives for Aura and Manor did not respond to requests for comment.

“The demand for Boca is high, so I understand the prices that these new projects are getting are geared toward professionals,” Singer said. “It’s a certain caliber and quality of housing stock and I understand the pricing reflects that, based on demand.”

Traffic in the area has seen a considerable increase from 2019 to 2020, even with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a lot of businesses to close or transition to a work-from-home model, according to the Palm Beach County Traffic Division.

Traffic volumes increased between 3% and 9% in the area, equating to an increase of between 1,000 and 4,000 cars in the area each day.