On Tuesday, May 19, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted 5-0 to move the project ahead.
Credit: Weston Jewelers
The long-discussed future flagship for Weston Jewelers just cleared a major hurdle in Fort Lauderdale.
On Tuesday, May 19, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission unanimously approved the jeweler’s proposal for a new five-story building at 1117 E. Las Olas Blvd. in a 5-0 vote, moving the project one step closer to reality ahead of a final approval hearing scheduled for June 2.
The project has stirred up conversation across the city over the past several months, largely because of widespread rumors and online chatter incorrectly labeling it as an eight-story building and Rolex store. In actuality, plans call for a five-story mixed-use luxury retail and office building spearheaded by Weston Jewelers, the South Florida jeweler that has been in business for 25 years.
The proposal would replace the current one-story building on the site with a contemporary structure expected to house Weston’s future flagship showroom alongside office space and rooftop components. Previous project materials reviewed by Browardist also highlighted architectural inspiration pulled from luxury shopping corridors in places like Rodeo Drive and Fifth Avenue.
The Las Olas corridor has increasingly become home to high-end brands, dining concepts and major redevelopment projects, making the Weston proposal one of the most closely watched commercial developments currently moving through the city approval process.
During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners ultimately supported the scaled proposal following public discussion surrounding height, traffic and compatibility with the surrounding boulevard. The approval marked a notable moment for the family-owned jeweler, which has steadily expanded its footprint and profile across South Florida over the past two decades.
The project still requires final approval at the commission’s June 2 meeting before moving into the next stages of development.
For more information, visit Weston Jewelers.
