Design for new Ft. Lauderdale mixed-use tower features sequence of stepped rounded volumes

The newly revealed design for 633 SE 3rd Ave., a 47-story, mixed-use tower in Ft. Lauderdale, features a sequence of stepped rounded volumes that ease the massing of the tower as it rises. The ODA-designed structure is composed of tubular volumes alternating between a sleek curved glazed façade and alternating wrap-around balconies. These elements generate a dynamic play that breaks up the massing of the building.

Setbacks and carved double-height voids enable a series of extensive roof deck amenities for residents at different levels with open city views. A large corner plaza and activated walkways will provide dynamic and lively ground floor programming for the neighborhood. The podium is lined with residential units that continue the tower expression and a dynamic three-dimensional parking screen façade paralleling the theme established by the cylindrical tower design.

At night, concave recesses of the parking façade create a decorative wall of light and textures that add to the ambiance of the neighborhood. These features aim to bring a heightened sense of sophistication to this part of the city—south of the New River in the Rio Vista neighborhood.

The 1,099,811 sf high-rise will accommodate 830 rental units—studios to 2 bedrooms—951 parking units, and 12,798 sf of retail space.

“Buildings at this scale house a community of people who live, work, and play from what they consider home,” said Eran Chen, founder and executive director, ODA. “This new lifestyle is formed by a building that is shaped to be flexible, create strong connections, and allows for diverse activities.”

On the building team:
Owner and/or developer: Dependable Equities
Design architect: ODA
Architect of record: ODA
MEP engineer: N/A
Structural engineer: N/A
General contractor/construction manager: N/A

ODA mixed use ext 2 — Courtesy VERO Digital.

ODA mixed use ext 3 — Courtesy VERO Digital.

ODA mixed use ext 4 — Courtesy VERO Digital.

Roughly one in three office buildings in the largest U.S. cities are well suited to be converted to multifamily residential properties, according to a study by global real estate firm Avison Young. Some 6,206 buildings across 10 U.S. cities present viable opportunities for conversion to residential use.

The Shipyard Condos

Multifamily Housing | May 19, 2023

Biden administration beefs up energy efficiency standards on new federally funded housing

The Biden Administration recently moved to require more stringent energy efficiency standards on federally funded housing projects. Developers building homes with taxpayer funds will have to construct to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2021 for low-density housing and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE 90.1 for multi-family projects.

Shear Wall Selection for Wood-Framed Buildings

From wall bracing to FTAO, there are many ways to secure the walls of a building. Learn how to evaluate which method is best for a project.

A woman uses her iPhone to access the elevator and her apartment door.

The Key To Multifamily Access Control — Consistent Resident Experiences

Explore the challenges of multifamily access control and discover the key to consistent user experiences with a resident-first approach and open platforms.

Affordable Housing | May 17, 2023

Affordable housing advocates push for community-owned homes over investment properties

Panelists participating in a recent webinar hosted by the Urban Institute discussed various actions that could help alleviate the nation’s affordable housing crisis. Among the possible remedies: inclusionary zoning policies, various reforms to increase local affordable housing stock, and fees on new development to offset the impact on public infrastructure.

Multifamily Housing | May 16, 2023

Legislators aim to make office-to-housing conversions easier

Lawmakers around the country are looking for ways to spur conversions of office space to residential use.cSuch projects come with challenges such as inadequate plumbing, not enough exterior-facing windows, and footprints that don’t easily lend themselves to residential use. These conditions raise the cost for developers.

Rendering of Class A apartment building in Metuchen, N.J, that replaces a factory-warehouse.

Multifamily Housing | May 12, 2023

An industrial ‘eyesore’ is getting new life as an apartment complex

The project, in Metuchen, N.J., includes significant improvements to a nearby wildlife preserve.

Aegis Living Lake Union senior living community in Seattle aims to be world’s first to achieve Living Building Challenge designation

Senior Living Design | May 8, 2023

Seattle senior living community aims to be world’s first to achieve Living Building Challenge designation

Aegis Living Lake Union in Seattle is the world’s first assisted living community designed to meet the rigorous Living Building Challenge certification. Completed in 2022, the Ankrom Moisan-designed, 70,000 sf-building is fully electrified. All commercial dryers, domestic hot water, and kitchen equipment are powered by electricity in lieu of gas, which reduces the facility’s carbon footprint.