Ugly Boca condo 'Eden' could become a shiny, new 'Pearl'

Article Courtesy of The Palm Beach Post

By GRETEL SARMIENTO

Published June 19, 2008 

BOCA RATON — Not all recognize it for its name. Those who do are happy to crack sarcastic jokes about it. But asked what the ugliest building is in the city today, many would point to 300 W. Palmetto Park Road: the Eden.

It might soon become "Pearl."

Planning and Zoning board officials will approve or deny today the latest plans developer Boca East LLC has for the condominium, which for years has sat incomplete and shy of the luxury and amenities promised to unit owners.

Because of its nature - a 248-unit residential rental community - the plan only requires the planning board's vote. The city council doesn't have to approve it. However, according to the city code an applicant could bring an appeal before the city council.

Planning board chairman William Fairman wouldn't discuss the plan ahead of today's meeting, but said he's quite familiar with the history of that property.

This is the third plan submitted this year by Boca East for the Eden site. The plan, which these days go by the name of "Pearl," also calls for a one-story 5, 000 square feet leasing office between buildings A and C, demolition of some garages for new-surface parking and renovation of the existing recreational building.

There are pending investigations by the Office of the Attorney General, Economic Crimes Division, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Boca East and Adam Schlesinger, Eden's project manager.

Rumors suggesting the state investigations had scared away Atlanta developer Roy Dickson, of Parc Communities, who last year stepped in suggesting he would make a luxurious rental community out of the Eden, are not true.

Dickson said earlier this month he is still on board.

But the question remains, if the plan passes, what will happen to the unit owners currently living in the partially-finished Eden? To their regret, the city's role has been one of an adviser and less of a protector. City officials have repeatedly said any issues should be worked out between the residents and the developer. The planning board could approve the plan as it stands or with conditions, such as making the developer buy unit owners out.

New board member Neil M. Schiller will not be able to vote on the project because he has represented some Eden unit owners pro-bono in the past.

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