Riviera Beach is set to undergo a major transformation as SobelCo’s large-scale condo project takes a major step forward. The city’s Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved a rezoning request and site plan that clears the way for a 1.23 million square foot mixed-use development just across from the Port of Palm Beach.
The Boca Raton-based developer plans to build 508 residential units along with 10,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space on a 4.27-acre site located at 1117 Broadway. The project also includes a 1,083-space parking garage. The development will be split into four towers, two rising 20 stories and two standing at 13 stories, with a maximum height of 215 feet.
A Strategic Waterfront Location
SobelCo purchased the development site in March for 12 million dollars. The property was formerly a boat yard and sits in a highly visible corridor just steps from the cruise ship terminals and container port at the Port of Palm Beach. The site also overlooks Peanut Island, making it a rare opportunity for waterfront residential construction in the area.
Tirso San Jose, Vice President of SobelCo, said the condos will be marketed toward young professionals who want to live near West Palm Beach. Prices are expected to start just under 1 million dollars.
We think it is time for Riviera Beach to experience some redevelopment, San Jose said. The location is a hop, skip, and a jump from the cruise terminals and offers great geographic advantages.
A Wave of New Development in Riviera Beach
The SobelCo site is surrounded by additional real estate activity. To the west is Villa L’ Onz, a 12-unit workforce housing townhouse development being built by the Riviera Beach Community Development Corporation. To the east lies Marina Village, a 90-acre area slated for large-scale redevelopment designed to bring in new jobs and increase the city’s tax base.
Several projects are already in the pipeline for Marina Village. The Gallery at Marina Village, being developed by Related Group, BH Group, and Tezral Partners, will include more than 400 market-rate apartments across 20 stories. Nearby, the same developers are preparing to break ground on the Residences at Riviera Beach, a 149-unit workforce housing project.
The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency has also reissued a bid for a new mixed-use development near the marina. Proposals for that site include restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and additional residential units. Related Urban and Tezral Partners have indicated plans for a condo-hotel with a parking garage and dining space. Sonnenblick Development has submitted a competing proposal that includes a 150-room Compass by Margaritaville hotel as part of a phased project.
The Marina Village area sits just north of the Port of Palm Beach, which ranks as Florida’s fourth busiest container port and is home to the Margaritaville At Sea cruise line.
About SobelCo
SobelCo is a South Florida-based developer, general contractor, and property manager founded in 1980. The firm has completed a wide range of residential and commercial projects across the region. One of its most recognizable developments is 321 at Water’s Edge, an 11-story luxury waterfront condominium building in Fort Lauderdale completed in 2019.
What Happens Next
The rezoning and site plan approvals from the Planning and Zoning Board mark an important milestone, but the project still requires final approval from the Riviera Beach City Council. A vote has not yet been scheduled.
With strong support from city planners and a prime location near the water, the project is expected to move forward in the coming months. For buyers and investors seeking luxury residential options in Palm Beach County, this may be one of the most significant opportunities in the Riviera Beach market in years.
