Related Companies and Frisbie Group propose plan to redevelop Family Church site in West Palm Beach, with two condo towers and new buildings for church

The Related Cos., led by Stephen M. Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins, along with the Frisbie Group, have collaborated with the Family Church to propose a significant redevelopment of a downtown West Palm Beach site. The development plan, designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates of New York, envisages two condominium towers on the church's 9.6-acre campus at 1101 S. Flagler Drive. This site is strategically positioned near several major projects, including the Bristol Palm Beach luxury condo, the One Flagler office tower, and other notable developments.

In 2022, the Family Church selected the joint venture between Related Cos. and the Frisbie Group to transform its historic campus, which also includes an educational institution, the Palm Beach Christian Academy Downtown. The proposal, now pending rezoning and site plan approval from the city, features a 32-story and a 28-story condo tower, offering a combined total of approximately 190 units with sweeping water views.

The redevelopment project also includes significant enhancements to the church's facilities. It plans to renovate the existing church building, construct a new early childhood education building, a K-8 school, and a parking garage that will serve both the residential and church facilities. Gopal Rajegowda, managing partner of Related Southeast, emphasized the project's integrated approach, likening it to a mixed-use development with a singular vision for the church’s utilization of its valuable property.

Bruce Fisher, design principal at KPF, highlighted the project's role in fostering a modern, cohesive district that integrates church, school, and residential spaces into a walkable neighborhood. This redevelopment is part of a broader trend in South Florida where religious organizations collaborate with developers to utilize prime real estate for mutual benefit, a strategy previously seen in Related Cos.' partnerships with other religious entities for residential projects.

The initiative, which still requires the green light from the West Palm Beach Planning Board and City Commission, is expected to not only revitalize the church's campus but also provide a substantial boost to the local community and real estate market. Pastor Jimmy Scroggins of the Family Church expressed confidence that this project would enable the church to continue its mission and strengthen community ties well into the future. Rajegowda also noted the strong market demand for such developments in West Palm Beach, particularly from world-class companies, especially in the finance sector, drawn by Florida’s favorable business climate.

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