Once Proposed for Office Tower, Boca Raton Parcel Will Host 295-Unit Residential Complex

The apartment building approved for 1800 N Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL. (Planning Document)

A Boca Raton property that received approval nearly 20 years ago for the construction of an office tower will finally be developed as residential space following a decision by the city’s planning board.

Located adjacent to the UBS Financial building at Boca Center, the property had received approval for the construction of two office buildings, including a 149,500 square foot tower and parking structure which was intended to be a “mirror image” of the second office facility on the site. The first building – which currently houses UBS and several other tenants – was constructed in 2008 along with a parking deck, but the second was never built.

With less of a demand for office space combined with an increasing demand for housing in the area, the developers of the property, North American-Florida Acquisition Corp., requested permission to replace the second office tower with a new 363,851 square foot, six story, 66 foot-tall, 295 unit multi-family residential apartment building. The complex will include a five level integrated parking structure and site improvements. According to the developers, 10 percent of the units will be designated as affordable housing and an additional 5 percent of the units as workforce housing.

“The fact that we’re going to have 45 affordable housing units, I’m ecstatic,” said Ali Zacharias, speaking on behalf of the developer in favor of the application.

The location of an apartment building approved for 1800 N Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The location of an apartment building approved for 1800 N Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The apartment building approved for 1800 N Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL. (Planning Document)

The new apartment complex will include a clubroom and lounge, co-working space, and a gym on the first floor. The gym includes a mezzanine that is also accessible from the second floor, plus two outdoor pickleball courts that will also be accessible from the second floor. An outdoor area with covered seating areas and a planter is proposed on the sixth floor. A pool, pavilion, and outdoor kitchen will be located at ground level on the south side of the building.

Two bicycles lanes and a walking path will be constructed the site in addition to the interior improvements. Trees, plantings and other aesthetic features will also be added.

The apartment building approved for 1800 N Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL. (Planning Document)

The location of an apartment building approved for 1800 N Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

There were no objectors to the proposal at the hearing. The application gained unanimous approval from the planning board.