Arthaus, a modern 26-story tower with workforce housing apartments proposed near downtown, got a green light from the Fort Lauderdale commission during a recent City Hall meeting.
The tower will rise nearly 300 feet high at 500 SW Second Ave., one block south of the New River and just west of the railroad tracks.
Miami-based Moderno Development Group, the developer of the $150 million project, assembled the parcel through multiple transactions for a combined $6.7 million. The site is currently home to small office and residential buildings.
Formerly known as 500 Art Lofts, the project was initially planned as a 27-story tower with 290 apartments, including 71 that would have been set aside for workforce housing.
The new version includes 43 apartments that will qualify as workforce housing.
Those apartments will be set aside for tenants earning up to 120% of Broward County’s median income. Broward’s median income has reached $96,200, so a resident earning up to $115,440 could qualify for one of the workforce apartments.
According to plans filed with the city, some of the tower’s walls will be decorated with artsy murals to help create a unique identity for the neighborhood.
The apartments will perch atop a seven-story parking podium, with retail shops lining the ground floor. A swimming pool, lounge and co-working space are planned for the eighth floor.
Once built, the project will generate 589 new vehicle trips per day, with 33 vehicle trips occurring during morning rush hour and 43 vehicle trips taking place during the afternoon rush hour, according to traffic experts.
Arthaus will include 315 parking spaces and 30 bicycle parking spaces along with a bicycle storage area on the first floor.
The first floor will feature 21-foot double height glass and the top floor 26 is stepped back on all sides with full height glass, according to records filed with the city.
The northeast and northwest corners of the north facade have canopies over recessed entryways, accenting the corners of the first floor.
The developer plans to plant trees along Southwest Fifth Street and build a sidewalk measuring 8 feet wide, according to plans filed with the city. Southwest Second and Third avenues will get landscaping and 7-foot sidewalks.
Commissioners approved the project 5-0 on Sept. 16.
Stephanie Toothaker, attorney for the developer, was present at the meeting for questions.
But no one signed up to speak and the agenda item passed without commission discussion.
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan
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