The Boca Raton city council approved on Mar. 24 a controversial hotel development by James and Marta Batmasian, advancing the Mizner Plaza Hotel project just days before newly elected representatives take office.
The decision comes as the current developer-friendly council faces an imminent shift in leadership following recent elections. The approval of the two-building, 12-story, 219-key hotel at 132 and 170 Northeast Second Street was passed with a vote of four to one during Monday’s Community Redevelopment Agency meeting, despite objections from residents of the neighboring Tower 155 condominium.
Designed by HdA Architects for a site currently occupied by a post office and retail plaza, the project will feature fewer rooms than previously proposed. A parking deviation allows for two levels of underground parking with 328 spaces instead of the city-required 557. The developers agreed to provide additional parking within 600 feet if needed in the future.
To address concerns about nearby buildings, particularly Tower 155—which experienced structural cracks after its completion six years ago—the approval mandates that construction crews monitor structural integrity using drones and seismic sensors. During public comments, resident Brian Kritchman described building more towers so close as “a recipe for disaster.” Responding to concerns from Tower 155 residents, Marta Batmasian said: “My heart breaks for you, it truly does, but it is not our problem.”
Council member Marc Widger cast the only dissenting vote due to concerns over underground parking given Florida’s shallow water table and potential impacts on neighboring properties. “A parking garage within 600 feet is a better idea,” Widger said during deliberations.
This approval follows significant political changes in Boca Raton after voters rejected another major development proposal and elected candidates backed by groups opposed to large-scale projects. As new leadership prepares to take over next week, observers note that this may be one of the last approvals under the outgoing council’s approach.
