For decades, the mighty suburb blossomed just outside city limits. It was synonymous with freeways, chain restaurants and rows of uniform single-family houses set uniform distances apart on uniform roads. If you wanted culture, high rises or a walkable lifestyle, you had to venture into the city. Some developers are turning that idea of suburban living on its head. New “urban suburbs” are popping up around major metropolitan areas. These hybrid communities possess all of the amenities of a larger city —high-density housing, restaurants, retail, office and open green spaces —while offering their own unique sense of place in a suburban setting.
One of the most exciting urban suburbs is taking spectacular shape in South Florida’s Western Broward County: Metropica. The $1.5 billion, 65-acre project in Sunrise, Fla. is one of the largest mixed-use developments in the country.
Once completed, Metropica will encompass approximately 4 million square feet, which will include more than 2,250 residential units; up to 485,000 square feet of prime retail spaces offering a diverse array of shopping and dining experiences; 650,000 square feet of contemporary, Class A office space; public spaces dedicated to the arts and boutique luxury hotels offering convenient services and exclusive amenities. The residential component of the development has been designed by an award-winning team of international masterminds, including Oppenheim Architecture + Design, YOO Design Studio, CI Design, and EDSA. ON Collaborative by Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services is currently marketing and selling units at the first of eight residential towers, ONE Metropica, The YOO Residences.
The first of eight residential towers to make up Metropica is 80% sold, and slated to welcome its first residents this summer. Says David Wolf, President of ON Collaborative, of the landmark project: “Metropica is poised to revolutionize the West Broward corridor of South Florida with a complete urban luxury lifestyle. It’s going to be a placemaker for the entire Broward County corridor. There is nothing else like it, and I would argue, anywhere in the United States. It’s a trailblazing development.”
Bernard Werner, President and COO of Metropica Development LLC, sees Metropica in much the same light. “There is nothing this dense in Broward County,” he says. Warner has watched the area around Metropica mature over the last 15 years. “We have a lot of empty nesters and second homeowners who live in Western Broward. There is a lot of demand for this type of luxury product, with concierge service and all of the luxury lifestyle amenities that you would find in a larger city center. People who live in the area can’t wait for us to finish Metropica, and buyers are anxious to move into their units.”
The first tower, ONE Metropica, The YOO Residences, is composed of 263 tropically inspired residences, ranging from 740 to 2,100 square feet, which are designed by an award-winning team of architects and designers including YOO Design Studio, Oppenheim Architecture, CI Design and EDSA. Priced from the mid $400,000s and going up to $1.4 million for penthouses, the residences offer a selection of finishes including minimal and nature palette themes and feature complete kitchens with stainless steel appliances, open floorplans, and spacious private balconies that deliver a true indoor/outdoor lifestyle with breathtaking views. European style cabinetry, imported porcelain tile floors, dedicated bathrooms for each bedroom and Hansgrohe fixtures are among some of the other premium components found in every home. “When you buy the condos, everything is finished for you,” says Werner. “All you have to do is move in. What we are delivering in Western Broward County corridor — between the high-end finishes and the amenities of a full lifestyle center — is comparable to what’s available in cities like Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale. Yet Metropica is a fraction of the cost.” Adds Wolf: “The quality is what you would see in a true urban core. There is a premium to the building.” Many of the units enjoy breathtaking views of the Everglades and nature, too. Providing meaningful connections to nature was important to the makers of Metropica. The community is linked by expansive green spaces and a Central Park.
Each of the eight residential towers will have a different demographic audience, yet sport similar exterior facades and their own amenities as well as world-class amenities for the entire community once complete. These include a salt water pool with pool-side cabanas and shaded lounge areas, a fully-equipped 24-hour fitness center, massage therapy rooms, steam room and sauna, full-size tennis courts, mini soccer fields and facilities for yoga classes and cross-training. Other coveted features include a private clubroom, a wide-screen private screening room, a coffee lounge, an indoor game room, kid’s room, and other exclusive entertainment spaces. And then there’s fashion, art, culture and design awaiting them just beyond their building. Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Warby Parker, Bonobos, West Elm, Peleton, Madewell, and many other retail stores have already signed contracts, while a dynamic mix of dining, entertainment concepts including Coyo Taco, Ben & Jerry’s, City Works Eatery & Pour House, Sugarboo & Co., Cru Wine Bar, and iPic Theaters are slated to open in the next year. Future residents can even walk to see a concert or hockey game at nearby BBT Center, where the Florida Panthers play.
Between the resident-exclusive amenities and the urban lifestyle amenities, Metropica is set to raise the luxury profile of Western Broward and make it a true destination for both residents and visitors, alike. “Metropica designed to be a place where people can live, work and fully thrive,” says Werner. “The largest commercial concentration is set within a mile of the site. It’s also centrally located, and offers easy access to the Sawgrass Expressway if you need to access major employment centers. Here, you can actually live without the traffic.”
Another plus for residents of tower one, ONE Metropica, The YOO Residences: They will be part of the under-development YOO Club, founded by John Hitchcox and Philippe Starck, along with globally acclaimed THIRDHOME. When launched later in 2019, YOO Club will provide exclusive access to five-star residences, clubs and resorts around the world. The invitation-only travel club for owners of YOO homes will not only mean access to YOO properties, but to the more than 10,000 exquisite THIRDHOME properties throughout 94 countries, affording them unique experiences, while allowing them to share use of their own homes during down times.
Concludes Joseph Kavana, CEO of Metropica Development, LLC: “YOO is a brand unlike few others in the global luxury residential market. We have collaborated with YOO on other projects and appreciate their value. Having the first residential high-rise within Metropica be a YOO offering validates the evolution of ‘urban nodes’ within what were once suburban environments, and will further establish Metropica as the definitive ‘downtown’ of Southwest Broward County.”
No doubt about it — Metropica will be studied for decades as a pioneering luxury lifestyle development and inspiring model for future urban suburbs.
For additional information, visit www.livemetropica.com.
