Broward County has filed ambitious plans that could completely transform the 154-acre site surrounding Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, into a vibrant 24/7 mixed-use destination. The proposal aims to create housing, hotels, offices, retail, green spaces, and a new transit hub while keeping the Florida Panthers’ home arena fully intact.7
Most of the new construction would replace large portions of the existing parking lots that currently surround the venue. The Florida Panthers organization confirmed it is in the early stages of discussions with both Broward County and the City of Sunrise.
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Key Features of the Proposed Amerant Bank Arena Redevelopment
According to the application submitted by Broward County, the conceptual master plan includes:
- Up to 1,400 multifamily apartments (15% designated as affordable housing)
- 600 hotel rooms with as much as 60,000 square feet of meeting space
- 1.62 million square feet of office and/or education space
- 300,000 square feet of commercial (retail and restaurant) space
- Up to 250,000 square feet of cultural space (carved from the office allocation)
- 8 acres of open green space plus 1 acre of public space
- 18.8 acres of wetlands and mitigation areas
- A new transit hub with express bus service to Miami (supported by the county’s recent purchase of 10.7 acres north of Red Snapper Road)
The land-use designation would shift from commercial, industrial, and low-density residential to transit-oriented development. A traffic study projects the completed project would generate nearly 50,000 daily vehicle trips.9
The conceptual master plan shows a thoughtfully integrated layout of residential buildings, office towers, hotels, and street-level commercial spaces clustered around the existing arena.
Why This Matters for the Florida Panthers
This proposal builds on a 2024 operating agreement between Broward County and the Panthers that gives the team a four-year window to present a vision for developing the county-owned land around Amerant Bank Arena. If the team does not advance a plan within the agreed milestones, development rights revert to the county.
For Panthers fans, the project raises the exciting possibility of a true “arena district” — a live-work-play environment with restaurants, entertainment, lodging, and housing steps from the rink, similar to successful districts built around other NHL venues. The team has long called Sunrise home (celebrating 25-plus years in the city) and has expressed commitment to the Broward community.
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Next Steps and Timeline
The Sunrise City Commission is scheduled to consider the requested land-use changes on August 11, 2026. Approval would be a critical first step toward rezoning and eventual detailed site planning. The project remains in the early conceptual stage, and no construction timeline has been announced.
If fully realized, the redevelopment would turn the currently parking-dominated landscape into a destination that generates activity year-round — not just on game nights or concert evenings — while preserving the Panthers’ home ice.
Fans and local residents are already asking the big question: Could Amerant Bank Arena soon sit at the heart of its own thriving mixed-use district?
Stay tuned as the Sunrise City Commission reviews the proposal and discussions between the county, city, and Florida Panthers continue.
