Government

Boca Raton OK’s Partial Demolition of Office Depot HQ, Conversion to Mixed-Use Complex

by
Daniel Nee
February 19, 2025

Boca Raton’s city council last week upheld the recommendation of the city’s planning board a month earlier, approving a plan to demolish more than 245,000 square feet of the partially-vacant Office Depot corporate headquarters on North Military Trail and allowing the sprawling complex to be converted into a mixed-use development.

“They have six months to demolish the building,” said Heather Waldstein, a senior planner with the city.

Office Depot corporate headquarters complex, Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 2025. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Renderings of the redevelopment plans for the Office Depot corporate headquarters building Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 2025. (Credit: Planning Document)

In 2006, the city approved the 624,230 square foot office complex to house the retail chain’s corporate headquarters. A year later, the parking deck on the site was expanded with an additional level. The company’s previous headquarters was located in Delray Beach, and moved into the current Boca Raton site in 2008.

The building, located just south of Clint Moore Road, was sold in 2023 for $104 million, and redevelopment of the site has been expected ever since. Office Depot continues to lease a portion of the building for its corporate operations, which includes former rival OfficeMax, now a subsidiary.

“This has been a long time effort, and we really appreciate the staff doing everything they can with us,” attorney David Milledge, representing the complex’s current owner, told planning board members in January. “The residential units will be wrapped around the southern parking garage, and we have four retail buildings which will be fronting Military Trail.”

The plan to redevelop the site includes the demolition of 245,983 square feet of office space, about one third of the office space currently built on the 29 acre property. The new commercial space, measuring 42,840 square feet intended for retail and restaurant usage, will be constructed between the four buildings which will front Military Trail.

Office Depot corporate headquarters complex, Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 2025. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Renderings of the redevelopment plans for the Office Depot corporate headquarters building Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 2025. (Credit: Planning Document)

Office Depot corporate headquarters complex, Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 2025. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Renderings of the redevelopment plans for the Office Depot corporate headquarters building Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 2025. (Credit: Planning Document)

The residential phase of the project will consist of the construction of of an eight story, 500-unit multi-family residential building, which will include the construction of new pathways, lighting and various amenities include a pool area and a 36,396 square foot fitness and wellness facility. Milledge said 10 percent of the 500 residential units will be set aside for affordable housing purposes, and an additional 5 percent of the units will be classified as workforce housing.

The current owner will maintain 405,282 square feet of existing office space. The southern portion of the complex, adjacent to the parking deck, will be demolished.

“Once the residential building is complete, the existing south parking garage will be operational and all parking spaces on site will be available,” said Waldstein.

An internal walkway system and multi-use path that are existing today will be incorporated into the new community. The first floor of the eight story residential building will consist of a residential lobby that will be connected to the parking garage, and will also include a dog park outside. The residential component will be linked to the commercial space to create a cohesive community that will also serve the public and improve the streetscape at Military Trail.

Office Depot corporate headquarters complex, Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 2025. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Renderings of the redevelopment plans for the Office Depot corporate headquarters building Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 2025. (Credit: Planning Document)

“The building’s location and orientation will help activate the street frontage along Military Trail, with walkways and connections to the public sidewalk,” said Waldstein.

Milledge said the outdoor space at the complex will feature public art, a reflecting pool, and an open area for passive recreation.

“The gym was designed a little bit differently than the rest of the architecture to make it stand out a bit,” avoiding a “cookie cutter” appearance, Milledge said.

The southern parking garage will be retained and used by the entire site. At night between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., halfway up the first level, there will be a gate that will be closed for the residents, for security purposes.

Renderings of the redevelopment plans for the Office Depot corporate headquarters building Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 2025. (Credit: Planning Document)

“We envision the residents and customers of the gym would use the southern garage, and the valet would use the north,” said Milledge.

The residential portion of the site will be the last to be constructed following the demolition and construction of the commercial space.

Milledge said an estimated date for the completion of the residential portion – the final aspect of the project – would “possibly” come in 2027. The first action will be the demolition, followed by the start of construction on the gym facility.