A new affordable housing project has just been announced in Fort Lauderdale’s Homes Beautiful Park neighborhood. Called ‘Federal Apartments’, it’s being spearheaded by Boca Raton-based MRK Partners, a firm with extensive experience in attainable housing construction. Located at 845 NW 11th Ave, plans include the construction of 164 affordable housing units.
While this announcement is one of the first major developments for the Homes Beautiful Park neighborhood, it comes amid a pivotal wave of housing investment in the area. Both the nearby Progresso Village and Dorsey Riverbend neighborhood have overseen the construction of dozens of affordable housing units in recent years, stemming from investments like Mount Hermon Apartments or even The Arcadian.
Plans released a few days ago offer some insights into the project’s plans. The development, for one, will be split between two buildings. In addition, both buildings will contain around 80 units, with units spanning between 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, or 4-bedroom floor plans. The minimum unit size is also 767 SF: much higher than the floor of 400 SF.
While both buildings won’t include retail space, rather opting for units, residents will have access to around 3,000 SF of amenity space on the ground floor, including a business center, community room, and more. Residents can also make use of the 173 parking spaces and 18 bicycle parking spaces on-site, ensuring at least 1 parking space for each resident. Around the property will be extensive greenery and sidewalk space for both pedestrians and residents, featuring playgrounds, a courtyard, and benches.
Designed by TAT (The Architectural Team), renderings and elevations depict two five-story buildings rising 54 FT, taller than most surrounding structures. The development will feature a modern architectural style with “painted stucco in yellow, white, gray, and brown tones, accented by white aluminum windows, doors, and rooftop screening. These materials are arranged to create visual variety and transitions across the façades.”
Before construction can begin, the developer must demolish 23 low-rise structures containing 88 residential units, along with a two-story leasing office. Built in the 1950s, these buildings are now considered dated. It remains unknown whether displaced residents will be given priority for the new affordable units, as plans are still in the preliminary stage.