For years, Fort Lauderdale watched as the downtowns of its neighboring cities to the north and south — West Palm Beach and Miami — saw an influx of new development and revitalization. And with that change came residents seeking an area where they could live, work, and play — sometimes without having a car.

In recent times, however, Fort Lauderdale is no longer an observer. With thousands of new condos and apartments recently built, under construction, or in the planning phases, the city is experiencing a building boom of its own. Commercial development has also been a part of the boom, with the first new office building in 15 years under construction and a new hotel set to open in a few months.

The spate of development has sparked a revamping of East Las Olas Boulevard’s restaurant and retail row and breathed new life in downtown areas like Flagler Village and FAT Village, a four-block area of converted warehouses similar to Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood.

Adding to the allure of Fort Lauderdale’s downtown – and, in fact, all of South Florida – is the recent launch of service on Brightline, a private train line with newly constructed stations in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Another transportation project on the horizon in Fort Lauderdale is the Wave Streetcar line, which would link both sides of Broward Boulevard. The $195 million public-transit project, funded primarily by the state, was set to begin construction in early 2018, but has since been delayed.

The following is a look at some of the new developments that are reshaping Fort Lauderdale’s downtown:

X-Las Olas – Riverfront

Rendering courtesy of X-Las Olas  

When the Las Olas Riverfront opened in 1998, there was hope that the development would spark activity and breathe new life in the city’s riverfront. Much to the chagrin and bafflement of observers, that never happened.

But the city is hoping that its replacement, a 2.3-million-square-foot mixed development project called X-Las Olas will experience the success the preceding development found elusive. Being developed by Hollywood-based Property Markets Group, the two-phased project will include 42- and 46-story towers with 1,200 units and about 40,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space. The first phase, a 639-unit tower, will feature small units with modest rents aimed at young renters. A quarter of the units will be about 500 square feet and 70 percent will rent for under $2,000, a spokeswoman said. The project also includes 100,000 square feet of shared amenities for “social living.” The project is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2020.

100 Las Olas - Downtown

Rendering courtesy of 100 Las Olas

When it is completed, 100 Las Olas will be the city’s tallest building at 499 feet. Being developed by Kolter Group and currently under construction, the 46-story building will feature 121 condos, 238 hotel rooms, and ground-floor restaurant space. Units at the tower start at $800,000 and top out at $2.27 million, with an average list price of just over $1.37 million. The two- and three-bedroom units will range in size from 1,501 to 2,964 square feet and have floor-to-ceiling windows, European cabinetry, and quartz surfaces. Amenities include a resort-style pool, day cabanas, a high-tech fitness center, entertainment areas, and private storage areas.

FAT City – Flagler Village

Rendering courtesy of FAT city

Just two blocks from the new Brightline station at 300 North Andrews Ave. in Flagler Village is a 1.35-million-square-foot project called FAT (Florida Technology and Art) City being developed by the Traina Companies. The project is nearby FAT Village, which is a strip of old warehouses that have been converted into galleries, performance spaces, and hip businesses that cater to millennials.

The mixed-use complex, approved by the city commission in July, will consist of two 30-story towers with 270,000 square feet of Class A office and retail space, 612 apartments, and more than 1,300 parking spaces. In an effort to appeal to middle-class renters who cannot afford the luxury-level units in the downtown area, the developer said rents would start at below $1,000 a month.

200 East Las Olas - Downtown

Rendering courtesy of 200 East Las Olas

At 201 East Las Olas and 212 Southeast Second Ave. at the site of a building formerly occupied by Broward College, developer Stiles Corp. is planning to build two Downtown Fort Lauderdale towers. One tower has 374,000 square feet of office space and is expected to be ready for occupancy in fall 2020, although pre-leasing activity has begun. It will be the first new Class A office tower on Las Olas in nearly a decade. The other tower will be a 27-story rental tower with 348 units and a ground-floor supermarket. The project is expected to break ground in the first quarter 2018.

The Dalmar/Element hotel – Flagler Village

Rendering courtesy of The Dalmar/Element hotel

Philadelphia-based Wurzak Hotel Group is constructing a Dalmar/Element dual-branded hotel at 299 North Federal Highway on the edge of Flagler Village. The 24-story project will include The Dalmar, a 209-room boutique hotel and a 114-room Element by Westin. Signature aspects of The Dalmar will include a rooftop lounge, coffee bar on the ground floor, and an infinity pool with a landscaped deck and garden relaxation area. The Element will feature light-filled rooms with modular furniture and spa-inspired bathrooms. The hotels are expected to open in the second quarter of 2018.