(Crystal Proenza is associate editor of Real Estate Florida.)

[IMGCAP(1)]PLANTATION, FL-As part of the City of Plantation's Midtown District development plan, 321 North, an $800-million mixed-use community, has received master plan approval by the City Council. Developer US Capital Holdings Group will begin redeveloping the former Plantation Fashion Mall at 321 N University Drive and building 550,000 square feet of retail, 613,000 square feet of office and up to 590 residential units on the site.

The Miami office of ADD Inc. is the architecture on the project, and has recently taken on a second mixed-use development within the Midtown district—the Fountains, a 415,000 square-foot community shopping plaza with a 478-unit rental structure. That project, located at University Drive and SW 78th Street, is being developed by American Land Ventures.

Jonathan Cardello, principal of ADD Inc. and project executive for the Fountains and 321 North, says this is a great example of a municipality stepping up to make development possible. "The City of Plantation has been instrumental in finding unique solutions in order to ensure they coexist with the city in a positive way," he tells GlobeSt.com. For example, the city worked with the 321 North team to create extended entitlements for the residential units to wait until the market conditions are stronger, he explains.