The Revitalization of Old Spaces: A New Era of Mixed-Use Development
From Abandoned to Innovation Hub
In 1967, IBM opened a large-scale manufacturing plant in Boca Raton, known as its North American Research and Development Facility. The 3.6 million square foot complex with over 40 buildings was once a hub of activity, but it had fallen into disrepair by the 1980s. In 2017, the property was put up for sale, and Angelo Bianco, Managing Partner of Crocker Partners Group, saw an opportunity to transform the site into something new.
The Birth of the Boca Raton Innovation Campus
Bianco envisioned a space that would bring together tech and life sciences in the Southeast United States. In 2018, CP Group acquired 1.8 million square feet of the property, now known as the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRIC), the largest single office facility in the state of Florida. The campus is a far cry from its industrial past, with a mix of uses that includes two cafes, 17 art exhibits, a gym, primary care facility, conference rooms, and a ballroom.
A New Era of Urbanism
Bianco believes that the key to success lies in mixed-use development, where people can live, work, and play in the same area. "We want to be able to walk from the office to have lunch, walk from home to the office," he explains. "So, this new urbanism, or bringing it back with connectivity, is something we are seeing everywhere in every property type."
Future Plans and Phases
Phase 1 of the project includes the construction of a new arrival area with a massive parking garage and a Steam Lab, where innovators can bring their ideas to life using 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC fabricators. Additionally, a new food hall is planned, which will be part of the campus’s growing list of amenities.
Phase 2 will see the addition of multi-family residences, retail space, 175 hotel rooms, medical office buildings, and an entertainment venue, all designed to provide a true live, work, and play experience. Bianco believes that this type of development will become more prevalent across South Florida.
Trends and Developments in South Florida
The trend of redeveloping old spaces is not unique to the Boca Raton Innovation Campus. In South Miami, the City Commission has approved the development agreement for Sunset Place, a project that will feature up to 1,513 residential units, 550,000 square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment space, and 9,000 square feet of public plaza space. In Cutler Bay, the Southplace City Center is being developed, which will offer a blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, as well as a vibrant community atmosphere.
FAQs
Q: What is the Boca Raton Innovation Campus?
A: The Boca Raton Innovation Campus is a 1.8 million square foot complex that combines office space, art exhibits, a gym, primary care facility, conference rooms, and a ballroom.
Q: What is the vision for the campus?
A: The vision is to create a mixed-use space that brings together tech and life sciences, providing a unique live, work, and play experience.
Q: What is the plan for future development?
A: Phase 1 includes the construction of a new arrival area with a massive parking garage and a Steam Lab, as well as a new food hall. Phase 2 will add multi-family residences, retail space, 175 hotel rooms, medical office buildings, and an entertainment venue.
Q: What is the trend in South Florida?
A: The trend is to redevelop old spaces, such as shopping malls and office buildings, into mixed-use spaces that combine residential, commercial, and recreational areas.
