Government

Boca Raton Approves 374 Unit ‘Camino Square’ Complex, With Increased Retail

by
Daniel Nee
November 18, 2025

Camino Square Phase 2, as approved by Boca Raton officials, Nov. 17, 2025. (Planning Document/ Aerial: Boca Daily News)

Boca Raton has approved a revised application by the owners of the Camino Square property that would add two, eight-story buildings containing 374 residential units and 23,368 square feet of retail space to a vacant parcel that was once anchored by a Winn-Dixie supermarket.

The mayor and city council members, acting in their capacity as commissioners of the Community Development Agency, voted unanimously Monday to approve the revised plan proposed by subsidiaries of developer Kimco after rejecting an earlier submission. Officials had said during a meeting last month that they favored more retail space at the property, which is located at at 171 West Camino Real. A initial phase of construction on the east side of the property is already built, and includes 346 residential units.

Camino Square Phase 2, as approved by Boca Raton officials, Nov. 17, 2025. (Planning Document)

The site at 171 West Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL, Oct. 2025. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Kimco had initially favored maintaining the western portion of the site, near the intersection of SW 3rd Avenue, as a retail space but was unable to find tenants in the current business environment, said attorney Ele Zachariades, representing the company before the board. The developer later proposed the mostly-residential layout, which was rejected.

“They thought once phase one was occupied, they would have a better chance of attracting tenants for the western side,” said Zachariades.

That never panned out, she said, referencing the vacancy of a nearby CVS that has lasted for more than four years despite a Fresh Market supermarket serving as an adjacent anchor. Kimco is, at its core, a commercial developer and was reluctant to pivot to a proposal that focused on residential development, she said, addressing pushback from some residents who objected to a residential-centric plan.

“That Kimco wanted to give up this property, is the antithesis of their business model,” she said.

The plan approved Monday includes 374 residential units, down from 394 in the previous proposal. The amount of commercial space has increased from 8,632 square feet to 23,368 square feet. The vast majority of the space created by the buildings, which will stand 97-feet, 8-inches at the eve, will be residential in nature, at 455,371 square feet. This was reduced from last month’s hearing, when 479,485 square feet were proposed.

Camino Square Phase 2, as approved by Boca Raton officials, Nov. 17, 2025. (Planning Document)

Other changes include a technical deviation to reduce the required driveway width at the existing SW 3rd Avenue access from 34 feet to 33 feet, the abandonment of two 12-foot-wide utility easements, and the dedication of a 2-foot wide easement along the property’s Camino Real frontage. The developer will also provide $15,000 to be applied toward the installation of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the existing crosswalk.

For the commercial space, the developer agreed to a condition that would prohibit a bar or patron seating area in the restaurant uses, unless it is “demonstrated to staff that required parking is satisfied.”

The development will still include a seven-story parking deck with 793 spaces connected to what is known as “Building 2” on the property, as shown in the diagrams embedded with this story. As for open space, there will be 122,415 square feet open to the sky and 37,318 square feet of “covered open space.”

Camino Square Phase 2, as approved by Boca Raton officials, Nov. 17, 2025. (Planning Document)

The site at 171 West Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL, Oct. 2025. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Officials expressed support for the project after the applicant made its presentation.

“I think the applicant has done a good job or trying to change with market conditions,” said Mayor Scott Singer. “Going back to 2019, this is the first applicant in the history of the city to dedicated $3 million in road improvements.”

Those pedestrian and traffic flow improvements, which are active near the site, were installed when the first phase was completed.

“They did decrease the residential from what was initially offered,” said Councilwoman Fran Nachlas.

Nachlas’ rival in the March 2026 mayoral election, Councilman Andy Thomson, said he had concerns with the project, but said he also had concerns that denying it could constitute a violation of private property rights.

“I think that the changes to the project, while imperfect, are certainly meaningful,” said Councilman Marc Wigder. “The adaptation of having retail on 3rd Avenue as opposed to just residential amenities also makes it meaningful, and the addition of a courtyard with dining and connectivity creates the opportunity for a real gathering place, which is what we’re trying to do. There will be a gathering place instead of people just going back to their apartments.”

The approval of the complex was unanimous, with a 5-0 vote.