242-Key Mizner Plaza Hotel Approved Near Boca Raton's Mizner Park

Key Points

• 5 to 1 board approval for zoning changes and parking waivers to enable the Batmasians’ project

• 242-key, twin 12-story hotel with ~18,840 sf retail and ~16,000 sf restaurant space replacing city post office and retail plaza

• City-owned 0.3-acre parking lot transfer approved with Batmasians paying ~$900K plus public improvement credits toward a future park

The Planning & Zoning Board of Boca Raton has greenlit a bold redevelopment—the Mizner Plaza Hotel by James and Marta Batmasian—bringing new life and mixed-use appeal to a prime site adjacent to Mizner Park. 

Zoning & Parking Waivers Approved

The board voted 5–1 to back zoning shifts and a parking waiver allowing 372 spaces instead of the required 569 across the 1.9-acre site at NE 2nd Street.

The city will transfer a 0.3-acre parking lot (190 NE 2nd Street) to the developers. Batmasians will pay nearly $900,000 in cash, with the remaining balance in public improvements and maintenance credits linked to transforming the surface into a mini park.

Design & Programming

The plan calls for a twin 12-story hotel with 242 rooms ranging from 380 to 1,100 sq ft, plus 18,840 sq ft of retail and 16,000 sq ft of restaurant space.

The project includes amenities such as pool decks (on 4th and 12th floors), ground-floor and rooftop dining, and a design by HdA Architects featuring pedestrian-friendly layouts, greenery, and bike lanes.

Community Objections & Developer Response

Residents of the neighboring Tower 155 raised concerns about view obstruction, increased traffic (over 2,400 new daily trips) funneling through a 20-ft alley, and questioned the appraisal process for the parking lot sale (initially valued at ~$3.3M vs. $2.4M).

The Batmasians’ attorney, Ele Zachariades, defended the design’s stepped form to preserve sightlines, and highlighted that the alley would widen to 54 ft and improve traffic flow. Critics also pointed out that Tower 155 enjoyed height concessions earlier given political leverage.

Developer Track Record & History

The site includes a U.S. Post Office and a dated retail plaza; the new hotel would replace both.
This isn’t the Batmasians’ first attempt—an earlier 2023 proposal called for two 11‑story buildings, 266 rooms, and roughly 32,400 sq ft of retail and dining.

The Batmasians are long-time Boca Raton developers through Investments Limited. James Batmasian has a noted past—he pleaded guilty in 2008 to evading $250K in payroll taxes, served eight months in prison, and was later pardoned by President Trump.

What’s Next

The project still needs sign-off from Boca Raton’s mayor and city council—expected at an upcoming meeting, possibly next month or in October.

Conclusion

With this approval, the Batmasians are poised to reshape downtown Boca Raton—injecting high-end hospitality, retail, and public space into the heart of Mizner Park. While community pushback and procedural debates linger, the project reflects a broader trend of urban densification and mixed-use revival that investors should watch. Its success hinges now on council approval and post-construction execution of public amenities.