Chapel-to-condo developer could “walk away”

Al Adelson
Al Adelson

A developer in West Palm Beach is revising plans for a luxe condo tower to replace an outdoor worship site after city opposition, the Palm Beach Post reported.

First Baptist Church, which owns the 3.2 acre Chapel by the Lake waterfront amphitheater at 1112 S. Flagler Dr., has a deal to sell the property to developer Al Adelson for $23 million.

Adelson, who asked the city’s planning board to change the site’s land-use designation from community service to multi-family, proposed building West Palm Beach’s tallest tower, a 29-story, 384-foot condo with units ranging in size from 3,800 square feet to 7,000 square feet and in price from $4 million to $8 million.

Adelson told the Palm Beach Post’s editorial board he might abandon the project after the city’s planning board voted July 16 6-0 against changing the land-use designation following an emotional, five-hour public debate, the newspaper reported.

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Opponents say the planned tower, which would be the tallest in West Palm Beach, would block views of the water.

“We either walk away, which we’re close to doing because we’re disappointed,” Adelson reportedly said. “I’m taking the lump. The risk here is, do I have a market? I think I do.”

Adelson told the Post he will submit a revised proposal that will be four stories and 57 feet lower than the original plan. [Palm Beach Post]Emily Schmall