The city of Boca Raton has approved a ground lease and construction and development agreement with the nonprofit Center for the Arts and Innovation Inc. to create a cultural venue at the north end of Mizner Park. The lease covers the existing 3,500-seat Mizner Park Amphitheater site at 590 Plaza Real, plus an undeveloped 3.5-acre site.
The 74-year lease will begin with the
facility’s groundbreaking, which is expected in 2025. It has two 10-year options, for a maximum term of 94 years.
The center will consist of a number of multipurpose performance, event and
THE CENTER FOR ARTS & INNOVATION
educational spaces, including a a 99-seat performance, rehearsal and private event space within a renovated and renewed amphitheater and new 1,1000-seat performing arts center. Capable of operating jointly or separately, the center would accommodate a total of 6,000 attendees. The site plan also provides for a new 294- space parking garage.
The project is being spearheaded by Boca Raton native Andrea Virgin, a former ballet dancer who now leads planning and engineering firm Virgin Design.
“It is especially gratifying to be able to proceed with our vision in Mizner Park, which has waited for more than 30 years to realize its founding purpose to be a cultural beacon in Boca Raton,” said Virgin, president and chairman of board of the nonprofit organization, in a press release.
The center aims to offer STEM learning experiences for area K-12 students, along with applied research opportunities for college and graduate students in a performing, visual and media arts environment.
Based on an economic impact analysis, the project will generate $342.5 million annually for the area by its fifth year, or $10.3 billion over a 30-year period.
Construction on the project is expected to take two to three years. While the group’s plans call for the improved amphitheater to reopen earlier, the full center is slated to be completed in late 2027 or early 2028.
The center would be next to the Boca Raton Museum of Art, and across the street from a new Brightline station, currently under construction.