3-story project’s plans expand

Development on Atlantic Ave. already OK’d, could grow with city approval

DELRAY BEACH — Downtown Delray Beach continues to thrive as a hot spot, and more developers are hoping to capitalize on its popularity.

Following the approval of numerous downtown projects, a new 49,000 square foot, three-story building is on tap for the buzzing Atlantic Avenue. The proposed building would feature one floor of restaurant and retail offerings and two stories of office space.

The development, Pierre Delray, would be located at 298 E. Atlantic Ave., just east of the railroad tracks and across the street from Johnnie Brown’s. The lot currently serves as a parking lot for customers at the neighboring SunTrust Bank and a pay lot for downtown patrons.

Pierre Delray bought the .5 acre lot adjacent to Atlantic Avenue for $18 million in 2017. The developer also purchased the adjoining .1 acre lot to the south for $4.6 million at the same time.

The city previously approved the 49,000 square-foot development on the northern lot, but is now considering a proposal to incorporate the southern lot into the project.

In addition to the commercial offerings and office space, the building would also include an interior parking garage and rooftop parking. Developers are targeting to have the project finished by the end of 2023, according to documents submitted to the city.

The building would be the latest development in an ever-expanding downtown. Just east of Federal Highway along Atlantic, the massive $300 million Atlantic Crossing development will feature restaurants, shops, 83,000 square feet of office space and 261 luxury apartments over nine acres. Construction is expected to be finished by the end of the year.

A second major project, Sundy Village, is scheduled to open in mid-2023 and will have numerous restaurants, bars,

shops, wellness centers and office space along seven acres of city blocks just south of Atlantic Avenue by Swinton.

Additionally, Throw Social, which offers food, drinks and axe throwing among other activities, opened late last year just to the west of the Pierre Delray on the other side of the train tracks. Another activity-oriented business is also on tap as a 3-acre mini-golf course designed by Tiger Woods just a mile north of downtown is scheduled to open in January.

The city is also reviewing a proposal to add 31 townhomes with price tags hovering above $2 million each just four blocks north of Atlantic Avenue off Federal Highway.