Proposal to build condos at Galleria Mall withdrawn

A developer withdrew the controversial, three-year-old proposal to build seven condominium buildings around the Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale.

James K. McAdam, president of Keystone-Florida Property Holding Corp., told the city in a letter the company will propose a new mixed-use residential development on Galleria property that complies with existing zoning.

Keystone-Florida had sought a new zoning designation for the Galleria property called “innovative development,” which would have allowed its proposed seven-building condominium development.

But home owners who live near the mall at 2414 East Sunrise Boulevard opposed Keystone-Florida’s plan to build 1,250 condo units in three buildings taller than 20 stories and four shorter buildings.

Melissa Milroy, marketing director of the Galleria Mall, told the Sun-Sentinel that Florida-Keystone will propose shorter condo buildings on mall property in a few months, but the total number of units is undetermined.

The Fort Lauderdale City Commission had decided April 4 to defer action on Florida-Keystone’s proposal until its June 6 meeting to give the company more time to win support from neighborhoods near the mall. [Sun-Sentinel] – Mike Seemuth