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Downtown continued

which filled the gap to make projects viable. We built 100 Technology). A destination that blends living, working, dining,
condos in 5 phases. They sold like hotcakes to mostly young and the arts.
professionals looking for something edgy and urban. FAT Village will be anchored by Hines’ amazing T3 (timber,
But I wasn’t the only one on the scene in Flagler Heights. Just a transit, and technology) office. Built with sustainable structural
block away, Doug McCraw & Lutz Hofbauer branded the FAT timber and full of natural light, it is redefining the future of
Village Artwalk. Ron and Brien Mastriana developed Bamboo office workspace and will be a magnet for tech and creative
Flats. The late Peter Feldman (former DDA board member) was talent. Within three towers, there will also be 850 residences,
the very first to assemble large tracts of land. Charlie Ladd and at their front door will be a pedestrian-friendly street with
(current DDA board member) and Jim Ellis (former DDA board food, beverage and retail stores led by The Restaurant People.
member) saw the potential of this area. Charlie continues to Scheduled to open in 2026, FAT Village will redefine a sense
serve Flagler residents with modern retail, and Jim developed of place for Flagler Village.
the very first affordable high-rise project in Downtown.
The Fort Lauderdale DDA has been one of the principal
We recognized the value of branding and led a movement to engines moving our downtown forward.
have the name of Flagler Heights changed to Flagler Village. We were the driving force that helped develop the Broward
Established developers called us crazy for investing north Center for the Performing Arts. Our agency participated and
of Broward Boulevard. We didn’t care. We were like misfit often led the discussion of a masterplan with city planners to
developers, doing things differently, who seemed to know a layout the Downtown that is coming alive before our very eyes.
secret that no one else knew. It was these early risk-takers who And we’re now leading the reimagining of Huizenga Park.
set the table for the renaissance we are seeing today.
The DDA has worked with local business leaders, residents
Flagler Village is now one of the fastest-changing and government agencies to help Downtown Fort Lauderdale
neighborhoods in the country and its attractiveness to residents focus on and retain its identity during our city’s incredible
is being accelerated by the addition of Brightline. Just steps transformation. We’ve successfully balanced our local lifestyle
from the Brightline station, at the same location where Doug with all the amenities of a world-class city in a boutique and
and Lutz started the Artwalk, our company, Urban Street approachable package. As my year as DDA chair ends, I can’t
Development along with world-renown Hines Development, wait to see what the future holds next for our Downtown.
will soon create the all-new FAT Village (Food, Art and

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A native of Fort Lauderdale, Alan Hooper is the current President & CEO of the Fort Lauderdale

Downtown Development Authority (DDA) as well as Founder and President of of Hooper Construction.
2006 “Fort Lauderdale Citizen of the Year” and 2008 “Downtowner of the Year,” Alan

believes in participating and making a positive impact within the community and is an active contributor
to the Fort Lauderdale Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and many other community organizations.

24 LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES

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