Fort Lauderdale Galleria Mall May Be Redeveloped into Towers, Hotel, and Affordable Housing

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — October 14, 2025 — The newly acquired Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale may soon transform from a 1980s-era shopping center into a major mixed-use development featuring nine 30-story towers, a 170-room hotel, and hundreds of affordable-housing units, developers confirmed Monday.

The mall was sold last month to a consortium of real estate and development investors led by Russell Galbut, a Miami Beach-based developer known for creating mixed-use communities across Florida and the U.S.

"Our vision is to reimagine the Galleria Mall site as a vibrant, inclusive community that blends residential, hospitality, and retail spaces while providing affordable housing options for local residents," said Galbut, speaking on behalf of the joint venture.

Affordable housing under the Live Local Act

The redevelopment plan includes hundreds of affordable-housing units, which would comply with Florida’s Live Local Act, a statewide initiative encouraging developers to provide lower-cost housing to address rising rental and homeownership costs.

"This project has the potential to be a model for integrating mixed-use development with sustainable and accessible housing in a central urban location," Galbut added.

Proposed design and amenities

According to preliminary plans, the development could feature:

• Nine residential towers reaching 30 stories each
• A 170-room hotel designed to attract business and leisure travelers
• Retail and dining spaces to replace the mall’s current commercial footprint
• Public open spaces and pedestrian-friendly areas connecting the towers and hotel
• Modern parking structures and infrastructure upgrades to support increased traffic

Community and economic impact

Urban planners and city officials have expressed optimism about the potential economic benefits. The project could bring hundreds of construction jobs, long-term employment in hospitality and retail, and significant tax revenue for the city.

Local residents and advocacy groups are expected to participate in public hearings, which will evaluate the project’s compliance with zoning, traffic management, and environmental regulations.

“This redevelopment represents an opportunity to revitalize a central property in Fort Lauderdale, while also addressing housing affordability and creating a dynamic urban community,” said a city planning spokesperson.

Next steps

The joint venture team plans to submit formal redevelopment proposals to the city in the coming months. If approved, construction could begin as early as 2026, with phased completion expected over several years.

The transformation of Galleria Mall signals a broader trend in Florida urban redevelopment, where aging suburban malls are being repurposed into densely populated, mixed-use urban communities that blend housing, commercial, and hospitality spaces.

Key Takeaways

• Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale sold to Russell Galbut-led consortium.
• Redevelopment plan: nine 30-story towers, 170-room hotel, affordable housing.
• Project aligns with Florida’s Live Local Act to support housing accessibility.
• Expected economic benefits include construction jobs, long-term employment, and increased tax revenue.
• Public input and city approvals required before construction begins, potentially in 2026.

Originally reported by David Lyons and Susannah Bryan, South Florida Sun-Sentinel (TNS) in Tampa Bay Times.