Related inches closer to building 25-story West Palm office tower

UPDATED, 2 p.m., Aug. 10: The Related Companies is a step closer to building a 25-story office tower in West Palm Beach.

The Downtown Action Committee on Wednesday approved upzoning the Okeechobee Business District, which is currently zoned for five-story buildings, according to the Palm Beach Post.

The zoning district would allow Related’s arm, Related Urban Development, to build One Flagler, an office tower proposed for 134 Lakeview Avenue, close to First Church of Christ, Scientist, and the Lake Worth Lagoon on Okeechobee Boulevard and Lakeview Avenue.

Commercial brokers spoke of the area’s dire need for Class A office space, the newspaper reported. The building would have 274,000 square feet of Class A office space and more than an acre of public space along the Flagler Drive waterfront with a reflecting pool, shaded outdoor seating and fountains, according to a fact sheet.

The Downtown Action Committee unanimously agreed to rezoning in part because it would allow for job creation in West Palm Beach. In July, the city’s planning board also unanimously approved the project. Related has also promised to preserve the 89-year-old church in front of the office tower. It was designed by African American architect Julian Abele. [Palm Beach Post] – Grace Guarnieri

An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the developer as the Miami-based Related Group’s urban development arm. The New York-based Related Companies is the developer.