News Politics

Preliminary Work Kicks Off 36-Acre Margate City Center, Paving the Way for 950 Apartments, Shops and Parks

by David Volz December 10, 2025

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Rendering of the Margate City Center

Preliminary work is beginning on the mixed-use development planned for Margate City Center.

The Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board approved a presentation by the Brookfield Properties group at its December 9 meeting.

The project will be divided into three phases, built over several years. The first construction work is expected to begin in 2027. The master plan envisions up to 950 apartment units with at least 65,000 square feet of retail across all three phases. There will be large park areas for exercise, family activities, and large public events, according to Augustus Haney, Vice President of Development for Brookfield.

He told the board that it is essential to have a mix of desirable housing units and high-quality stores and restaurants. Haney said he knows CRA board members want the city center to be a place where people from the region will want to live and shop. Over the years, commission members have said they want the development to be a vibrant center with upscale restaurants and stores.

CRA vice chair and commissioner Tommy Ruzzano criticized the plan, saying it contains too many apartments. He said the development should have more restaurants, stores, and places where people can have fun.

The CRA has assembled 36 acres of property along State Road 7, including the former Swap Shop property, Ace Hardware Plaza, and Chevy Chase shopping plaza. The goal is to create a central town center.

This project will be different than the typical strip shopping center, and will create a walkable, vibrant destination for residents and visitors from surrounding communities. The CRA has committed to providing more than $5 million in funding to help pay for the project’s public components, according to city information.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.