Sunrise will soon have its version of a mixed-use urban oasis with the recent launch of the first phase of Metropica, a 65-acre, master-planned community located next to Sawgrass Mills Mall. 

Last May the city approved developers K Group Holdings” and Trillist Companies” plan for 1,250 high rise residential units starting in the mid-$220,000s, 485,000 square-feet of commercial space and 150,000 square-feet of office space. The $1 billion project will also have a central park.

In November, Metropica launched sales for YOO at Metropica, a 28-story condominium featuring 253 one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury residences, along with 10 penthouse units. Residences will have appointments such as Italian cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms, decorative plumbing fixtures, stainless steel appliances, tile flooring throughout and smart-home technologies. 

Construction for the building will begin in March/April of 2015, with completion expected 24 months later, says Joseph Kavana of K Holdings, which is the master plan developer of Metropica. Construction for the commercial and office components is expected to begin eight months after residential construction starts.

Particular attention is being paid to the design of Metropica, Kavana notes.  YOO at Metropica, is a design-collaboration of Philippe Starck’s Yoo Design Studio and Oppenheim Architecture + Design.

Their concept for the building centers around offering residents a retreat from their daily lives in an intimate oasis. Interesting amenities for YOO include a pet spa, a bike share and repair shop, 24-hour concierge, fire pit, resort-style pool, tennis courts, 24-hour fitness center with sauna and massage therapy rooms and indoor and outdoor kitchens and dining areas.

“Metropica has been 20 years in the works. We bought the land in 1994 and really did our homework on what the best use for it should be,” Kavana says. “We realized there was a hole in the market: Sunrise did not have a downtown area – one place where people can live, work, enjoy restaurants and shopping. We will have all that, plus a peaceful park just a few steps away.” ?