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Developers broke ground on the first phase of the Nora District in West Palm Beach, where they aim to create a shopping and dining destination just outside the city's downtown area.
Place Projects founder Joe Furst, one of the pioneers of the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, partnered with Wheelock Street Capital, and NDT Development, led by Damien Barr and Ned Grace, for the $123 million project. Much like Wynwood, a big part of this project will be transforming old industrial buildings into new uses. They will combine adaptive reuse of older buildings, new construction and a redesigned streetscape along North Railroad Avenue to establish the Nora District.
The developers control about 15 acres, including 818-831 N. Railroad Ave.
“It’s going to be extremely community-driven and inclusive, and attract a lot of different tenants and uses,” Barr said. “It’s a place people will come to visit West Palm Beach for.”
The enhanced streetscape and utility improvements started a few months ago, led by West Palm Beach-based Burkhardt Construction. The new work, led by West Palm Beach-based Hedrick Brothers Construction, will consist of 154,600 square feet of retail, restaurant, fitness and office space. The project will comprise 13 buildings – nine adaptive reuse and four new construction, Barr said.
The preliminary space breakdown would be 55,200 square feet of offices, 51,500 square feet of restaurants, 7,700 square feet of fitness, 22,200 square feet of retail and an 18,000-square-foot social club.
Barr said over 60% of the space has committed tenants and, once fully leased, the project should support 1,000 jobs.
He said prospective tenants have responded well to the Nora District because his group owns the entire block and it’s located near all of the growth downtown, with new apartments and office buildings. The Nora District is also close to Interstate 95 and the Brightline passenger rail station, he noted.
Barr said he’s working to secure a construction loan for the project at some point.
He expects the first tenants to open in the fourth quarter of 2024.
When future phases of the Nora District are factored in, the project's cost would exceed $1 billion, Barr said. They’re working with New York-based BD Hotels and Sean MacPherson on plans for a 211-room hotel, and planning a 561-unit apartment complex.
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| Rank | Prior Rank | Company / Prior rank (* not previously ranked) / URL |
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3 | 3 | Kast Construction Co. |
