By Cara Aliek
Despite sharing the same name, Hollywood, Florida, is distinguishing itself from its California sister when it comes to making transit-oriented development (TOD) environmentally chic.
A new $500 million mixed-use project called Sheridan Station will be located adjacent to Tri-Rail’s train station and will be Broward County’s first TOD. Attracting residents and shoppers alike, the project will feature 1,050 residential units, 300,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 299,000 square feet of office space, a 150-room hotel, 2,500 parking spaces, a 6-acre public park, and a dog park.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Ram Development Co. and Miami-based Pinnacle Housing Group are developing the 40 plus acre project, while landscape architecture duties have been named to Hollywood, Fla.-based Witkin Hults Design Group.
“The most important part of the project is that it’s going to be a very walkable community,” says Juan Pacheco, senior project manager with Witkin Hults. “It’s very urban — not your typical South Florida architecture project.”
Located west of Interstate 95 between Sheridan and Taft streets, the project will be the largest shopping destination between Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Developers hope to attract professionals, who work in either of these cities, to the residential units by promoting a stress-free commute on the Tri-Rail. Twenty percent of all residential units in Sheridan Station will be workforce housing.
Creating an inviting, environmentally-conscious project of Sheridan Station’s size is never an easy task, but Pacheco says people will be drawn to the many features that set it apart from other destination shopping spots.
“The southern part of the project has hundreds of gorgeous 50- to 100-year-old live oaks that will be transformed into a 6-acre park,” says Pacheco. “Every single tree will be preserved.”
Additionally, major water features defining the open plaza area will include a large mirrored water wall and a stainless-steel landmark that will feature interlocking “S” shapes sitting on an 800-square-foot round water basin. Native royal palms and street furniture will provide shaded rest areas, and bikeways will link all the project elements to the Tri-Rail station.
Public seating will be another noticeably unique feature to Sheridan Station. The benches, designed by a European manufacturer, will also become sculptural elements while not in use.
Sheridan Station’s pro-environmental stance has allowed the project to be chosen by the U.S. Green Building Council for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in Neighborhood Development pilot program. It is one of six Florida projects designated to the pilot program.
The project is expected to break ground in early 2009 and will be developed in phases over the next 10 years. Phase I will include 300,000 square feet of retail space, 120,000 square feet of office space, 450 residential units and the parking garage. This phase is expected to take 3 years to complete.
“There are activities and areas of entertaining for every type of user: train commuters, office workers, hotel guests and families,” said Pacheco.