West Palm Board Recommends Denial of Related Group Rezoning

A West Palm Beach board rejected Related Group’s rezoning proposal that would have allowed the Pérez family’s development firm to build a 25-story waterfront condo tower.

The city’s planning board voted to recommend that the commission deny the developer’s request to rezone the property to residential planned development and deny a set of waivers the Miami-based firm is seeking. Board member Patrick Mayfield, who made the motion, said the proposal did not comply with city’s land development regulations.

Related, led by condo king Jorge Pérez and his sons, Jon Paul and Nick Pérez, acquired the two single-family homes at 4906 North Flagler Drive in the summer of 2022 for $16 million. Related is proposing an increase in density, height and setback changes that would allow for a 46-unit condo building with a two-story parking garage and a rooftop amenity deck.

It would be branded an Apogee building. Related’s Apogee in South Beach was built in 2008.

The 1.5-acre property, some of which includes submerged land, is adjacent to single-family homes to the north and the private Flotilla Club to the south. Related’s attorney, Brian Seymour of Gunster, said the developer should get similar allowances that were provided to Alba Palm Beach, a luxury condo project that BGI Capital is building a few parcels south.

“We’re just following along with what Alba did,” Seymour said, pointing to BGI securing approval for an additional 11 units by using submerged land in its calculation. “We’re asking to be treated the same tonight,” regarding density.

City staff said that BGI should only have been allowed to develop 44 units.

“That was a mistake on the city’s behalf, staff’s behalf,” said city planner Kevie Defranc.

Board members said they were concerned with the project’s height and setbacks.

But Related’s project isn’t dead in the water. The firm would likely go before the city commission next with an amended proposal.

“The applicant can represent to the city commission that there is some variation of this project we see going forward, but not the one we see today,” said board chairman Steven Mayans.

A number of new condo projects are planned along and near the waterfront in West Palm Beach, which overlooks Palm Beach island. Jeff Greene plans a 152-unit condo project near Currie Park that could include a pair of 350-foot tall buildings at 2175 and 2251 North Flagler Drive.

New York City-based Savanna plans a 26-story condominium called Olara at 1919 North Flagler Drive. The waterfront project will have 275 units.

Related Companies, the New York development firm led by Steve Ross, is investing heavily in downtown West Palm Beach’s commercial corridor. Ross, who previously was a minority investor in Related Group, launched sales of a two-tower condo project called South Flagler House at 1355 South Flagler Drive in November.