BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — The Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency approved a major downtown redevelopment Monday, clearing the way for a 12-story, 219-room hotel at Mizner Plaza after a public hearing that again drew concerns from neighboring residents.
The project, proposed for 132 and 170 NE 2nd Street just south of Mizner Park and adjacent to Tower 155, includes more than 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, structured parking, and a requested reduction in required parking from 557 spaces to 328.
The approval came after a brief discussion at the start of the meeting about whether to delay the hearing. CRA Chair Marc Wigder raised the possibility of postponing the item until a newly seated board takes office, citing requests from residents. The motion was withdrawn, and the CRA proceeded with the quasi-judicial hearing.
City development staff recommended approval, telling the CRA the project complies with downtown standards aside from the requested parking deviation. The proposal also includes a transfer of development rights within the downtown district and is expected to generate roughly $560,000 annually in tax increment revenue, according to city materials.
The current version of the plan reflects changes from earlier iterations reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board. A previously proposed purchase of a nearby city-owned parcel for use as a pocket park has been removed. Instead, the design focuses on modifications to the alley along the south side of the project, which would be widened from 10 feet to 20 feet to allow two-way access between NE 1st Avenue and NE Mizner Boulevard.
That alley remained a focal point for opposition.
Residents of Tower 155, the condominium building immediately west of the project site, have consistently raised concerns about how the alley is used for trash pickup, deliveries and moving trucks. They argued that converting the alley to two-way traffic could create conflicts when vehicles attempt to pass stopped service trucks and questioned whether the width is sufficient.
City records show additional concerns raised during the review process, including traffic impacts, building design, and the proximity of the hotel to existing residential units.
As part of the approval process, the applicant agreed to conditions addressing structural concerns related to Tower 155. Those conditions require an evaluation of the neighboring structure before construction, along with ongoing monitoring, vibration limits, and mitigation measures during building activity.
The developer, represented by attorney Eleftheria Zachariades, described the project as a pedestrian-focused addition to downtown, pointing to widened sidewalks, a protected bike lane on NE 2nd Street, and a public staircase aligned with Mizner Park. The applicant also argued that existing parking requirements in Boca Raton’s downtown code are outdated and discourage mixed-use development.
City transportation staff reported the project is expected to generate more than 1,100 daily trips, with 42 trips during the morning peak hour and 57 in the evening peak. The city recommended conditions including a transportation demand management plan, limits on restaurant seating, and restrictions on loading and trash collection activity in the alley during peak traffic periods.
The Planning and Zoning Board previously voted unanimously to recommend approval. Monday’s CRA vote moves the project forward as part of the city’s redevelopment review process.
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