Jeff Greene Proposes Florida’s Tallest Mass Timber Tower at 120 South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach
A record-setting mass timber tower has just been proposed in West Palm Beach, marking what would become the tallest building of its kind in Florida. Proposed by billionaire developer Jeff Greene, the project calls for a 25-story residential tower at 120 South Dixie Highway, built above a preserved historic fire station. The development is designed by Carlo Ratti Associati and would introduce a modern mass timber high-rise to downtown West Palm Beach. The proposal combines an emerging construction method with one of Florida’s fastest-growing development mechanisms: mass timber construction and the state’s Live Local Act. Together, the two approaches are intended to reduce costs and accelerate project timelines. The Live Local Act has become a common mechanism for developers seeking to bypass zoning restrictions and lengthy entitlement processes. Projects utilizing the law proceed administratively, avoiding public hearings that often delay or derail proposals, particularly in West Palm Beach. Just last week, members of the city’s Planning Board rejected a proposed 30-story waterfront condominium tower, citing concerns over height and bulk. The project’s construction method could also reduce costs and timelines. Unlike conventional concrete towers, mass timber buildings rely on prefabricated structural components manufactured off-site and assembled in place. The specialized construction effort will be led by Nexus Systems alongside Carlo Ratti Associati. The proposal marks the second major redevelopment plan for the site. An earlier concept advanced by Greene envisioned a shorter multifamily tower designed by Kobi Karp. That proposal also preserved the historic fire station but instead called for a 12-story building containing 159 residential units. The latest version substantially increases density. Plans call for 366 residential units, according to reporting from The Real Deal. Because the development is utilizing the Live Local Act, at least 40% of units must qualify as workforce housing for households earning up to 120% of area median income. Under current plans, the tower would include 148 workforce units. The unit mix is planned to include 75 studios, 199 one-bedroom apartments, 72 two-bedroom units, and 20 three-bedroom residences. Greene said workforce housing units would be distributed across multiple housing types rather than concentrated in smaller apartments, an approach that has become increasingly common among some recent Live Local Act projects. “They will all use one lobby, one entrance,” Greene said. At street level, plans call for approximately 7,550 square feet of retail space. Above that, the project would include a parking podium containing 236 spaces, representing a parking ratio below one space per residential unit. West Palm Beach’s Plans and Plats Review Committee reviewed the proposal on May 14, requesting revisions. Greene said the meeting was generally positive and said no major obstacles emerged during the review process. Although the proposal would become Florida’s tallest mass timber building, it would not be the state’s first. In Fort Lauderdale’s FAT Village district, developers Hines and Urban Street Development are nearing completion on the city’s first mass timber office building, a six-story, 180,000-square-foot project currently under construction.
Proposed Live Nation Venue Faces Pushback Over Grand Oak in Ybor’s GasWorx District
A planned Live Nation-backed music venue in Ybor City’s GasWorx district has encountered its first hurdle, as a dispute over the removal of a grand oak tree delayed approvals for the project this week. Led by Kettler and Darryl Shaw, the proposed venue is planned for 1419 E 4th Avenue and 1402 N 15th Street within the rapidly rising GasWorx neighborhood, where construction activity has accelerated in recent months. The project would replace a warehouse, a single-family home, and several trees currently occupying the site. At the center of the dispute is a grand oak slated for removal. This week, the Barrio Latino Commission reviewed both the proposed venue and a related variance seeking permission to remove the protected tree. According to the applicant, the development team has exhausted all reasonable preservation and redesign options, citing physical site constraints and Ybor City’s zero-foot setback requirements. “The test is not whether a theoretical design can be drawn,” the applicant stated in project materials. “The issue is whether preserving Tree #398 still allows a code-compliant, functional venue within the approved PD/A urban form.” Commissioners, however, challenged that assessment, saying the applicant had not sufficiently demonstrated that preservation alternatives had been fully explored. The discussion means the possibility of additional redesign work, expanded justification for tree removal, or potential code variances. These can include height increases to offset seating losses associated with preserving the oak, beyond the 65 feet allowed. The venue, first proposed last month, is planned as a roughly 4,300-seat entertainment destination operated by national concert promoter Live Nation. According to a press release, the development is projected to generate approximately $80 million in economic impact and create more than 400 jobs. Plans call for a three-story building featuring balconies, lobby space, seating areas, ticket windows, and other venue components. The design incorporates brick facades, metal balconies inspired by Ybor City’s architectural character, exposed lighting elements, and additional details intended to reflect the neighborhood’s historic identity. “Our goal is to create a venue that carries that legacy forward by adding a new destination for residents, visitors, and artists,” said James Nozar, Kettler’s president of development. “It will bring a distinct atmosphere to the neighborhood and give people another reason to experience Ybor and stay longer.” Despite the delay surrounding the tree variance, other aspects of the project have continued moving forward. The Barrio Latino Commission has already approved demolition plans for a warehouse on the site, while a single-family home located on the property is set to be relocated. A follow-up meeting on the proposal is scheduled for July 28.