Dulce Vida Advances Toward Groundbreaking Following Key $35 Million Financing Secured
One of Allapattah’s first Live Local Act developments is preparing to move toward groundbreaking as Coral Rock Development advances plans for Dulce Vida, a mixed-income residential project enabled by the state’s sweeping pro-density legislation. The proposal, which received approval from Miami’s Urban Development Review Board in early 2024, is targeting a construction start in early 2026. Groundbreaking is supported by $35 million in financing just granted by Citibank, alongside an additional $15 million secured through the City of Miami’s Forever Affordable Housing Bond program, structured as a 30-year loan. Planned for 1785 NW 35th Street, Dulce Vida will rise on a Miami-Dade County-owned site currently occupied by a one-story public library and surface parking. The redevelopment will replace the existing facility with a new library integrated into the project, while significantly increasing density along a rapidly developing stretch of Allapattah. Set to deliver 227 residential units, Dulce Vida will feature a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residences. The project is structured as a mixed-income development, serving both low-income households and those qualifying for workforce housing. Under the proposed income distribution, 40% of units will be reserved for households earning up to 60% of Area Median Income (AMI), 35% for households earning up to 100% of AMI, and the remaining 25% for households earning up to 120% of AMI. Residents in the building will have access to multiple amenities, including barbeque areas, a dog park, kids playground, and more, all on the ground floor. According to the project’s UDRB submission from last year, the replacement public library planned at the corner of NW 18th Avenue and NW 35th Street will span 8,494 SF. The development will also include 372 structured parking spaces, in addition to 15 on-street spaces for a total of 387 parking spaces, providing adequate capacity to serve both library patrons and residents. Dulce Vida will rise 8 stories, reaching 80 FT in height. The building’s facade, designed by Behar Font, will combine stucco, concrete parapets, metal balconies, and impact-resistant windows, with a color palette featuring shades of gray and blue. The project has also drawn public support from city leadership. Speaking to CityBiz, which reported on the project’s financing, District 1 Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela described Dulce Vida as a positive step for the neighborhood. “Dulce Vida is a great addition to Allapattah and District 1 where the city teams up with the developer to continue the redevelopment of the area while providing needed affordable housing, public parking and a new public library,” Gabela said.
West Palm Beach’s Planning Board Unanimously Approves Related Ross’s Shorecrest Condominium Project
Related Ross’s multifamily pipeline in West Palm Beach is set to expand after the city’s Planning Board unanimously approved plans for Shorecrest, a 27-story residential tower along North Flagler Drive. Designed by Roger Ferris + Partners with interiors by Rottet Studio, the approval represents an early milestone for the project, which must still advance through additional regulatory reviews such as the City Commission. Planned for 1901 North Flagler Drive, the tower will replace the current site occupied by Temple Israel. Under the approved plans, the synagogue has chosen to relocate rather than occupy ground-floor space previously planned within the building. Slated for a transaction valued at around $30 million, the almost 2-acre site will soon be demolished to make way for 100 units. The current 100-unit configuration reflects the latest evolution of the Shorecrest project, which has previously ranged from 140 to 199 units. Units are planned as condominiums rather than apartments, with spacious layouts. While the developer has not provided a full breakdown of unit typologies, the project website currently showcases floorplans featuring two- and three-bedroom residences. Residents will have access to a multitude of amenities including a gym, golf simulator, bar and lounge, game lounge, a yoga room, pool, and much more. Despite only having 100 residents, the tower will feature a 5-story podium complete with 204 parking spaces, ensuring an adequate number of spaces per unit. The tower will not include ground-floor retail space, with the base of the building instead dedicated to a large residential drop-off area, large lobby, widened sidewalks, enhanced landscaping, and a publicly accessible park at the rear of the property. Landscape architecture will be handled by DS Boca, a renowned Boca Raton-based firm. The tower’s proposed height of 306 FT (27 stories) exceeds what is typically permitted under West Palm Beach zoning code. To reach that height, the project is utilizing 195 FT of bonus incentive height, secured through a combination of public benefits, including improvements to Currie Park, LEED Gold certification, payments toward mobility infrastructure, and the inclusion of the previously referenced public space (public park). The tower’s facade will be dominated by glass, offering residents expansive, panoramic views of the waterfront from wraparound balconies. The podium, set to be 5 stories and 71 FT tall, will be wrapped in a mesh facade featuring green and white graphic graphics, tying into the surrounding landscaping. The approved plans include requests for six variances, addressing landscape buffer width, maximum building length, building setback requirements, minimum greenery standards, maximum driveway width, and the separation of access points. Among the most important requests is a reduction in required landscaping, with the project proposing 27 trees compared to the 73 mandated under city code. Ahead of the project’s approval, city planning staff recommended approval with conditions tied to the requested variances. The development team also conducted public outreach with local communities, including the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Old Northwood District, and representatives of the neighboring Flagler Pointe building. As part of the vote, both the variances and the site plan was approved. These approvals are subject to staff conditions, with compliance among staff expected as the project moves forward.