Galbut & Partners Could Transform Fort Lauderdale’s Galleria Mall into a 24-Hour Mixed-Use Hub

Key Points

• The new owners led by GFO's Russell Galbut propose nine 30-story towers, a 170-room hotel, and more than 3,000 residential units, including 1,273 workforce and affordable homes.

• The project uses Florida’s Live Local Act, which streamlines approvals for mixed-use developments with affordable housing.

• City officials and residents have raised concerns about traffic, density, and neighborhood impact, while some tenants see the plan as a needed revitalization.

A Massive Reimagining for a Fading Landmark

The 1980s-era Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale could be redeveloped into a high-density mixed-use community. The 31.5-acre site at 2414 E. Sunrise Blvd. is envisioned as two connected sections: Galleria East and Galleria West, divided by Bayview Drive.

Under plans submitted by previous owner Keystone-Florida Property Holding Group and now backed by Galbut’s consortium, the proposal includes:

• Galleria East: Five 30-story towers, 1,981 units (1,181 market-rate and 800 workforce), and more than 675,000 square feet of retained retail space.

• Galleria West: Four 30-story towers, 1,161 units (690 market-rate and 473 workforce), a 170-room hotel, and roughly 250,000 square feet of existing commercial space.

Galbut said the goal is to create a “24-hour community” where residents can live, work, and shop in one place, reducing reliance on cars and making use of nearby public transit options.

Neighborhood and Political Pushback

Elected officials including Mayor Dean Trantalis and Commissioners John Herbst and Steven Glassman expressed strong objections to the proposal’s scope. Trantalis called it a “mini-city” that could worsen traffic and lower property values. Herbst pointed to traffic and evacuation challenges along Sunrise Boulevard, while local homeowner associations criticized the project’s height and density.

Despite the opposition, Galbut maintains that the redevelopment will rejuvenate a declining property and attract a diverse group of residents and retailers.

Live Local Act: A Game-Changer for Developers

The Live Local Act, enacted in 2023, allows developers to bypass traditional zoning restrictions and public hearings if they include workforce housing. This gives Galbut’s team a significant regulatory advantage over previous Galleria proposals, which were blocked by community resistance in 2015 and 2023. Commissioner Glassman noted that the act “turns the development process on its head,” removing public input from what was once a highly contentious approval process.

The Transformation of Aging Malls

If approved, the Galleria redevelopment could become one of South Florida’s largest mixed-use transformations. The project illustrates a growing trend in Florida where developers are repurposing aging malls into residential and commercial communities using Live Local Act provisions. Investors and landlords are watching closely as these policies reshape urban redevelopment opportunities across the state.