Imagine tree-lined promenades, shimmering fountains and cozy sidewalk cafes. Elegant Mediterranean-style residences peeking through private courtyards to a lush town green, where park benches beckon you to sit and enjoy a sunny South Florida day. 

Where are you? You're in the beautiful Town Center of Lauderdale Lakes, the new heart of Broward County! The long-awaited dream is now becoming a reality. Negotiations have been finalized between the City of Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency and the selected developer for the City's 25-acre town center parcel. United Homes International, Inc. will be developing the site, which is destined to be the catalyst that reestablishes Lauderdale Lakes as the heart of Broward County.

"This is a strategic investment for the City," noted Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Administrator J. Gary Rogers. "Our goal is to establish an identity for the City, a sense of place and a new architectural standard for redevelopment. The Town Center idea has already spawned other commercial ventures like the Super Wal-Mart and AGU Studios, and the interest will only strengthen once construction gets underway."

United Homes has grand plans for the site, which will be designed in the "New Urbanist" style of urban planning seen in other successful projects such as Mizner Park in Boca Raton and CityPlace in West Palm Beach. United Homes is so thrilled about the project that they are in the process of purchasing an additional 6 1/2 acres adjacent to the site, to be included in the master plan, bringing the Town Center to nearly 31 acres in size.

"This project is going to be a showcase, not just for Lauderdale Lakes, but for Broward County and United Homes as well," remarked Tony Mijares, Chairman of United Homes. "It is rare to find such a large amount of land in such a central location in South Florida. This project will attract people from all over South Florida, who will want to live, work, shop and play right here in Lauderdale Lakes."

The Town Center project will incorporate elements of "Traditional Neighborhood Design," such as hidden structured parking, lush landscaping and a pedestrian-friendly layout. It is being designed with input from the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, the group that was instrumental creating in the City's CRA "Citizen's Master Plan Charrette" which was held in 2003.

"Suburban corridors like this are the next frontier in development," noted Michael Busha, executive director of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. "The future lies in redeveloping these sites in a more valuable and inspired manner. The Lauderdale Lakes Town Center project will be one of the first examples of this redevelopment concept, both locally and nationally. We are learning much from this project that will assist planning professionals across the country in successfully reviving similar areas."

The cornerstone of the project will be a stately new two-story Broward County Public Library and the Lauderdale Lakes Cultural and Educational Resource Center, located at the heart of the site, along Oakland Park Boulevard. This new facility will be a focal point for the Lauderdale Lakes community, hosting numerous cultural, civic and educational functions.

The library will be flanked by welcoming clock tower entryways, as well as nearly 20,000 square feet of ground floor commercial (office and retail) space in two new four-story buildings along Oakland Park Boulevard. Condominium residences will be built above. Wide, brickpavered promenades will provide plenty of space for outdoor café-style dining venues and other neighborhood conveniences like dry cleaners, florists, banks and shops.

Beyond the library, a signature fountain will lead to a lush town green, over two football fields in size. The green will be graced with winding walkways, gazebos and landscaping, making it the perfect spot for festivals,
picnics and favorite outdoor leisure activities.

Surrounding the town green will be over 450 luxurious residential units, designed in seven different styles, from one- and two-bedroom condominiums, ranging in size from 700 to 1,100 square feet, to two-story luxury townhomes (with and without garages) nearly 1,800 square feet in size. The residences will be impeccably designed with Mediterranean-style details such as ornate wrought iron railings, towers, balconies, decorative shutters, barrel tile roofs, stucco finishes and brick-pavered walkways.

Residential amenities are anticipated to include a 5,000 square foot clubhouse with a fitness center, meeting / party room and indoor racquetball court. Outside, a half-court basketball court, tot lot and outdoor pool are proposed. There will be ample parking (structured and onstreet), lush landscaping and brick-pavered walkways connecting the residential areas to the rest of the Town Center.

"The project is now in the final design phase, with site plans being developed for planning and zoning review," stated Community Development Director Dan Holmes. "Groundbreaking is anticipated for late 2005. Upon final build out in 2008, the project is estimated to be valued around $100 million dollars. The impact of this project will be very substantial for the City."

For more information on the new Lauderdale Lakes Town Center, please call (954) 933-9021.