Ocean Ridge commissioners unanimously endorsed the site plan for a 15-unit condominium at the former home of a co-op at 6855 N. Ocean Blvd. Rendering provided
By John Pacenti
In the first Ocean Ridge development of a multifamily condominium in decades, town commissioners and the public embraced the design for the proposed condominium to grace a former co-op site.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the major site plan review for the property at 6855 N. Ocean Blvd. It is the first multifamily development since the early 1990s when the Portofino condominiums were built.
Commissioners praised the staff of the Building & Zoning Department for working with Ohio-based Edwards Companies and its associated contractors to address any concerns with the design.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had somebody come in front of us with [Building and Zoning] and the company, and everybody agrees and works together very well,” Vice Mayor Steve Coz said at the commission’s May 5 meeting.
Mayor Geoff Pugh said, “This is exactly what the Town Commission has always strived to get people on [Building and Zoning] to do this type of work: detailed, comprehensive, and it’s just an impressive form of work.”
Edwards bought the since-demolished co-op in October 2022 for $29 million. West Palm Beach architect Keith Spina unveiled a four-story Dutch Colonial design to the commission that decreases the 22 units of the co-op to 15, plus garage parking, swimming pool and deck, resident bar/grill area, and interior amenities.
“It’s fantastic,” said Pugh, noting how reducing the number of units reduced the density. Bryan Donahue, a land planner with Insite Studio, told the commission that the reduction in units means fewer daily trips on State Road A1A.
A rendering shows a structure in white with cobalt blue accent shutters and gables. Units have setback windows with balconies. Spina said the designs were changed — at the town’s suggestion — from a more contemporary design so that the building more closely matches Ocean Ridge’s aesthetic.
“Our building is designed so that we can have a 10-foot ceiling in the master bedroom and in the living area,” Spina said.
The Ocean Club, next door, will have access to the fitness center at the new development. Ocean Club President Allen Weaver said there is agreement on shared parking spaces and an access road.
“We have a 60-year history of those properties — separate ownership yet common usage,” he said.
Resident Terry Brown, a former commissioner, praised developers for planning a crosswalk. “This property is going to be a wonderful property,” he said.
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