By Mallory Evans Jacobson
According to a recent article published by the Palm Beach Post, more than 547,000 people exchanged out-of-state driver’s licenses last year for IDs with Sunshine State addresses, making for a 40% increase from 2020. Northerners, West Coasters and people from other corners of the United States are flocking to South Florida, and there are no major signs of this frantic migration slowly down.
Therefore, it’s no secret that home prices in the tri-county area have skyrocketed. For some wealthy transplants, buying state-of-the-art luxury condominiums, with amenities galore, is a no-brainer—as opposed to purchasing a single-family home in need of gutting, or at a minimum, some renovating. In Broward County, Related Group’s latest new build (groundbreaking is slated for the fourth quarter of this year with a completion date scheduled for the first quarter of 2025) is Casamar.
Located on a 283-foot stretch of pristine oceanfront in Pompano Beach, the 119-unit project will offer a new caliber of resort-style living. To share how Casamar will transform the market of Pompano Beach and outline the upmarket amenities that will be offered to its residents, Lifestyle spoke with the developer and the architect behind this remarkable project.
Why Pompano Beach?
Founded over 40 years ago by developer Jorge Perez, Related Group is heralded for revitalizing South Florida communities. “Through our work in Fort Lauderdale with Auberge Beach and other nearby ventures, we got an insider’s look at the area and immediately recognized Pompano Beach as an exciting, up-and-coming destination for buyers seeking a second or third home at an attainable price point,” says Nick Perez, lead developer on the project and senior vice president at the Related Group.
Nick also credited the city’s rapid growth and investment in public enhancements like the recent revitalization of its downtown arts and entertainment district as draws to the once-forgotten seaside town. “That, combined with its easy access to the Atlantic coast and its world-class shopping and dining offerings, is what makes Pompano Beach truly stand out,” he notes.
But Casamar isn’t the Related Group’s first foray into Pompano. Situated just a half-mile from Casamar, its sister property, Solemar, is currently under construction with a completion date set for fall 2023. All 105 of Solemar’s units have already been sold.
“Residents of the area can enjoy the quiet and ‘worlds-away’ feel of the beach town, while still having easy access to the urban metropolises of Miami and Fort Lauderdale,” Nick says. “This no-compromise approach is what helped us sell out at Solemar in record-time.”
What was the design approach?
A legend in South Florida’s architectural design realm, Bernardo Fort-Brescia of the preeminent firm Arquitectonica was the principal architect who worked on Casamar (and Solemar as well).
“The sheer amount of frontage on the Atlantic Ocean gave us amazing geography to work with,” recalls Fort-Brescia. “This allowed us to have every unit face the water and gave us a monumental canvas to draw on.” Upon designing the structure, Fort-Brescia divided the facades into two parts akin to a duo of wings flying off in different directions. “Not only did this verticalize the proportions, but allowed us to give it movement, to make it dynamic instead of static,” he said.
Overall, Fort Brescia says his vision was to infuse the building with a super graphic dimension, a form that could be recognized from afar. “We wanted to send a message about contemporary design to Pompano Beach; the flying wings and the fluttering balconies, which gradually undulate from the center to the edges, were part of this notion about modern abstraction open to interpretation.”
What are the amenities?
Beyond being situated just steps from the sand, each unit offers the utmost privacy with elevators opening directly into every residence. Designed with open layouts and floor-to-ceiling windows to conjure a luxurious and airy feel, the views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Intracoastal are simply unmatched. Oversized terraces expand the homes even farther, allowing for a true indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
The wellness-forward register of amenities to be shared by the homeowners at Casamar will also be informed by life on the water. While relaxing at the duo of swimming pools, socializing in the Promenade Lounge, and exercising and recharging at the state-of-the-art fitness center and spa, residents will enjoy sweeping ocean views. Fans of pickleball can hit the court, and those who prefer to beat the heat can head to the (virtual) links via a virtual reality golf simulator room.
Simply stated, it’s easy to see why the enclave of Pompano Beach is worthy of its current resurgence, and everyone is eager to see what’s next.
