Fort Lauderdale’s long-struggling Galleria Mall is poised for a major redevelopment following its sale last month. The new owners, a joint venture between GFO Investments and the InSite Group, purchased the property for $73 million from Keystone-Florida Property Holding Group, which had owned it since 1993.
The partnership’s proposal envisions a multi-tower mixed-use complex, with each tower rising about 30 stories, integrated into the existing mall site. Because current Fort Lauderdale zoning does not permit such density by right, the developers plan to utilize Florida’s recently passed Live Local Act, which allows projects that include workforce housing to skirt certain local zoning laws.
According to documents obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel, initial plans were submitted in August, though several elements will need to be revised following feedback from the city. The proposal for 2414 E Sunrise Boulevard divides the Galleria Mall site into two sections: east and west. The east section will primarily feature residential towers, while the west section will include additional residential space alongside a hotel component. Spanning more than 31 acres, the redevelopment would become one of the largest mixed-use projects in Fort Lauderdale’s history.
The Galleria East redevelopment will include five 30-story towers, featuring 1,181 market-rate units and 800 workforce housing units. 675,968 SF of the existing mall space will be retained, while an additional 127,966 SF will be devoted to health and fitness uses, as well as retail and restaurants. Designed by Arquitectonica, the five towers will showcase modern, glass-heavy facades complemented by expansive balconies. Amenity spaces will be distributed throughout the development, including rooftop areas offering views across Fort Lauderdale.
On the other hand, the Galleria West redevelopment will feature four 30-story towers containing 1,161 residential units (690 market-rate and 473 workforce) along with 170 hotel rooms. The plan also retains 251,765 SF of existing commercial space, complemented by 9,140 SF of new office space and more than 5,000 SF of restaurant space.
Because this large-scale redevelopment is being pursued under Florida’s Live Local Act, the partnership can match the maximum building height within one mile: in this case, 30 stories, drawn from nearby plots in Fort Lauderdale Beach. The law also allows for increased density and reduced parking minimums, all aimed at encouraging walkable workforce housing. Within this project alone, there will be 1,273 workforce units, accounting for around 40% of the total residential supply.
Despite the inclusion of workforce housing, some opponents of the Live Local Act note that a unit only needs to meet 120% of the area median income (AMI) to qualify. In Broward County, this can translate to rents of $2,421 for a studio apartment.
Likewise, as per the Sun Sentinel, opinions on the redevelopment are mixed. Nearby residents feel the towers may be unnecessary given the plan, and while there is general agreement that some redevelopment is needed, many question the proposed density. On the other hand, business owners who have witnessed the mall’s struggles see the project as an opportunity to increase foot traffic and boost prospects for small businesses in the area.
Traffic, according to partner Russel Galbut, will also not be an issue: “For people who live and work and play in the same place — you don’t need a car”.
While Fort Lauderdale advances with the Galleria redevelopment, nearby properties are also attracting new proposals. Across the street at 1040 Bayview Drive, Sunrise & Bayview Partners LLC has proposed two multifamily buildings, rising 14 and 10 stories. There will be commercial and office space, as well as 180 units. Current progress on the project is unclear, but continued interest in the area signals an impending transformation.