FLAGLER.
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FLAGLER DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Three contractors, including Flagler Construction
Corp., are working to complete the second phase
of The Palms Town & Country.
One of the most unique features on the
property is a six-acre manmade lake that is
approximately 70-foot-deep, which will
serve as the focal point of the retail des-
tination. Flagler intends to incorporate
waterfront dining into the overall design.
To make way for the new construction,
approximately 400,000 square feet of prop-
erty was demolished, including a structure
that abutted the lake.
Buchanan says the company also empha-
sized adhering to sustainable construction
methods by recycling and reusing materi-
als, including asphalt, metal and glass.
Getting the Right Mix
Extensive research was completed to assess
the market needs and understand the
demographics of The Palms at Town &
Country area. Padron says a more thorough
look at Miami and the surrounding region
showed that the retail scene showed little
diversity and left much to be desired.
Because the center is situated adjacent to
the heavily travelled Florida Turnpike,
Flagler saw potential to attract additional
customers through the renovation and
expansion if it were properly marketed and
62 ■ WWW.CONSTRUCTION-TODAY.COM ■ FEBRUARY 2009
PART OF THE COMMUNITY
Designed by Robin Bosco of Robin Bosco
Architects & Planners Inc., The Palms
Town & Country was envisioned to func-
tion as more than just a mall, Bosco
says. When completed in fall 2009, the
renovation is expected to make the mall
an economic asset for the community.
“The building that was there had kind
of outlived its useful life, and rather than
redo the same mall, we wanted to go
with a lifestyle center,” Bosco explains.
“It’s a type of center where there is
more to do than just shop. Now it’s a
place for families to gather. It’s going to
be a real asset to the community.”
“Some retailers wanted orientation
suited to the clientele’s needs.
“There are very good traffic counts
off the Florida Turnpike – approximate-
ly 102,350 cars a day pass on the west
side along Kendall Drive along the south
side of the property,” Padron notes.
Through market research, Flagler also
determined the average local resident is 37-
years-old, with an average household
toward the streets, so we took advan-
tage of creating specialty retail compo-
nents that creates pedestrian friendly
walkways that connect the parking lots
and other areas,” he notes.
Bosco ensured there was no visual
disconnect between the various build-
ings by suggesting the exterior of each
building be of a similar Mediterranean-
style finish.
The firm used stucco finishes and
stone and brick veneers to represent the
theme. In addition, a new entryway will
display a redesigned marquee sur-
rounded by plenty of mature palm trees
and foliage.
income of $73,528 in a seven-mile radius.
The shaky economy means consumer
spending is curtailed – a fact that Flagler is
well aware of, but Padron says will not
affect the center as harshly as in other
areas. “The shopping in this area is
resilient,” Padron notes. “The retail sector is
somewhat down, but relative to our mar-
ket, they are outperforming.” ■