Boynton Beach City Commission Approves Public-Private Partnership Project, The Pierce, In Partnership With Affiliated Development

Boynton Beach City Commission has voted unanimously to approve all agreements between the City, the Boynton Beach CRA and Affiliated Development in order to advance highly anticipated $80+ million mixed-use, mixed-income workforce housing project, The Pierce.

Located in west of Federal Highway between Ocean Avenue and Boynton Beach Boulevard, The Pierce will offer 16,800 square feet of restaurant and commercial space, a minimum of 236 apartment units and a parking garage that will include 150 public parking spaces. Affiliated Development was the only proposer that had an agreement with longtime Boynton Beach restaurant, Hurricane Alley, which secured the business’ future in Boynton Beach.

Fort Lauderdale-based Affiliated Development outbid 4 other firms that responded to a RFP in Decemeber 2021 issued by the Boynton Beach CRA, including Related Group. Negotiations have been ongoing since that time and all agreements have been finalized and approved by the CRA Board and City Commission.

“We are community builders and have a track record of working alongside our City and CRA partners to create a transformative projects that increase the quality of life for the city’s residents,” says Jeff Burns, CEO of Affiliated Development. “We have had our eye on Boynton Beach for a while and strongly believe that Boynton Beach is poised to reach its full potential.”

With housing affordability at unprecedented levels, The Pierce will offer 50% of the project’s units at varying workforce housing levels in order to accommodate the overwhelming demand for Class A living at attainable rents. The Pierce’s 8-story apartment building will offer luxury finishes, features and amenities including a resort style pool with private cabanas, state of the art fitness facility, co-work collective and keyless Bluetooth door entry. The Pierce will be built and certified to national green building standards.

Boynton Beach leaders have been setting the stage for this moment for many years. The CRA had assembled over 2 acres of property and received many unsolicited suiters over the years. Instead of moving forward with those proposals, the CRA underwent a competitive process that not only vetted the merits of the project, but the strength of the developer. Affiliated Development specializes in public-private-partnership development and has several completed projects in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

Affiliated Development’s next step is to begin the land use entitlement process. “If all goes smoothly, we anticipate getting underway during the mid 2023,” says Burns.

Boynton Beach Office Building Sells For 75% Value Increase In 1 Year

An Atlanta and South African-based buyer, OrbVest US, Inc., recently closed on Congress Executive Center, a 4-story medical and professional building located at 1301 N. Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach, FL. The property, which was 100% occupied, closed on May 12, 2022, for $11 million. The transaction represents a 75% increase in value in just one year since the previous acquisition by the seller, Triple Double Real Estate.

Executive Managing Director Mark M. Rubin, Director Bastian Laggerbauer, and Financial Analyst Jake Stauber of Colliers’ South Florida Investment Services Team represented the seller, Triple Double Real Estate, led by Andrew “Avi” Greenbaum and Jeremy B. Becker, in the transaction. Andy Belew of Consilium Capital Partners represented the buyer.

“The trade of Congress Executive Center represents a 75% increase in value from its previous purchase price, less than one year ago," said Rubin. "This sale is indicative of the strong demand for stabilized medical office properties with solid fundamentals, sound in-place tenancy and investor confidence in the Boynton Beach submarket.”

The 40,210-square-foot, 4-story, medical and professional office is located on nearly 2 acres, adjacent to the Boynton Beach Mall, which has plans for a major redevelopment. With plans for abundant shopping, dining, and entertainment across the street, Congress Executive Center stands out as one of the most strategically located medical and professional office buildings in the area.

“Congress Executive Center is a great addition to the buyer's current and impressive portfolio of healthcare real estate,” said Laggerbauer. “The seller was able to increase the property’s value significantly by attracting strong medical tenancy to the asset and achieving a 100% occupancy rate.”

The office investment market in South Florida broke records in 2021, despite uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic and return to the office delays. South Florida’s strong demand drivers like, declining unemployment, population growth, and confidence in the economy are creating an imbalance in supply and demand. Including Boynton Beach, there is limited supply of quality products with competitive buyers driving the price up; sales price per square foot increased 19 percent year-over-year, ending in 2021 at $285. Boynton Beach, amongst the rest of South Florida, is expected to see another strong year for office investment. However, high demand and limited supply will likely remain imbalanced.