The iconic Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale, once a shopping hotspot of the 1980s and 1990s, is now at the center of one of South Florida’s most ambitious redevelopment plans. The new ownership group, led by Miami Beach developer Russell Galbut, envisions a complete transformation — replacing large sections of the aging mall with a modern urban community featuring nine 30-story towers, a 170-room hotel, and thousands of new residential units, including affordable housing.
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A 24-Hour Mixed-Use Community
According to plans submitted to the city, the 31.5-acre site at 2414 E. Sunrise Boulevard would be divided into two main zones:
Galleria East
- Five towers rising 30 stories each
- 1,981 apartments (1,181 market-rate and 800 workforce/affordable units)
- Over 675,000 square feet of existing retail space retained
- 127,000+ square feet of new dining, retail, and fitness areas
Galleria West
- Four towers at 30 stories each
- 1,161 apartments (690 market-rate and 473 workforce units)
- A 170-room hotel and more than 250,000 square feet of retail
- 9,000+ square feet of office space and 5,000 square feet of new restaurants
Galbut’s vision calls for a “live, work, play” environment — a walkable, transit-friendly district where residents can shop, dine, and relax without needing a car.
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Live Local Act Speeds Up the Project
The redevelopment will leverage Florida’s Live Local Act, a state law designed to accelerate affordable housing construction by streamlining local approval processes. Under this act, developers can bypass certain zoning restrictions and proceed without public hearings or city commission votes — a key reason this proposal has gained momentum after past plans failed to advance.
Galbut says the act allows the project to finally bring life back to the long-struggling mall:
“We really have incredible plans to bring it back to make it a 24-hour community with residences, with people. The mall itself will be re-tenanted and brought back together.”
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City Officials and Residents React
Despite its promise, the Galleria proposal has sparked intense local debate.
- Mayor Dean Trantalis called it a “mini-city,” warning that it could overwhelm Sunrise Boulevard, already one of the city’s busiest corridors.
- Commissioner John Herbst expressed concern about the project’s impact on storm evacuation routes and increasing traffic congestion.
- Commissioner Steven Glassman noted that the Live Local Act removes local input, saying, “The entire development process is turned on its head.”
Neighborhood associations, including Coral Ridge and Country Club Estates, have voiced opposition, fearing that nine towers could bring gridlock and over-urbanization.
“You have a dying mall. A certain amount of residential will make it better,” said Tim Hernandez, president of the Coral Ridge Country Club Estates Community Association. “But I see no need to put nine 30-story buildings on that site.”
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Support from Businesses
While many residents are skeptical, mall tenants and small business owners see potential benefits. New development could bring fresh foot traffic, economic stability, and long-term investment into a mall that’s struggled for decades.
Galbut says the project will create opportunities for local retailers, restaurants, and service providers, emphasizing that it will serve a diverse workforce including teachers, police officers, and healthcare professionals.
“We are community-minded developers,” Galbut said. “Our goal is to build spaces that work for everyone.”
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A Defining Project for Fort Lauderdale’s Future
If approved, the Galleria redevelopment would mark one of Fort Lauderdale’s largest-ever urban transformations, reshaping the skyline between the Intracoastal Waterway and Middle River.
It’s a project that highlights the tension between urban growth and neighborhood preservation, but also represents the next chapter for one of Broward County’s most recognizable properties.
Whether embraced or opposed, the Galleria’s reinvention will likely become a defining story in Fort Lauderdale’s evolution into a denser, more connected city.
