WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Rosemary Square is a 72-acre neighborhood that touts being West Palm Beach’s up and coming place to live, work, and visit. But transforming it into a vibrant community and top destination comes as an expense to some customers and businesses. And there are also concerns as season fast approaches.
The people behind Rosemary Square say these are all temporary hurdles behind a much larger project.
The five-year, $550 million planned investment to transform CityPlace into Rosemary Square started in April. Fitness Hub Activewear Boutique is one of a few businesses that have experienced a long hot summer.
"We had days where no one came in," said Lisa Rumsey, the lead stylist at Fitness Hub Activewear Boutique.
Rumsey attributes the lull to a combination of construction of all the new public spaces outside the store and the off-season. To get customers inside, management offered 10 percent off already marked down items, and now welcomes the slight bump in snow bird traffic.
"When the snowbirds come, things start happening. Everything picks up," Rumsey said.
Rumsey’s first glimpse was last weekend.
"The fitting rooms are full. We’re ringing, that’s a good weekend," Rumsey said.
That’s optimistic news for patient businesses and customers.
"If they’re going to do something for the betterment of the area, I’m all for it," said Bernie Beloff, a Rosemary Square customer.
Beloff’s referencing the wider curbless sidewalks and landscaping that will reopen in mid-November, according to the public relations firm representing Related Companies.
The two most prominent phases of construction will be completed before Dec. 1. to include updates of pavers around the property that will be complete prior to Thanksgiving.
"We knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel," Rumsey added.
Once complete, the 72-acre Rosemary Square neighborhood will offer an array of amenities including expanded programmable public green spaces, state-of-the-art Class-A commercial offices, modern residences, and new retail and culinary offerings.
Rosemary Square will also welcome the following new locations in the coming months and next year:
● A 6,000-square-foot, award-winning True Food Kitchen specializing in health- minded and seasonally-inspired fare by Dr. Andrew Weil
● High Dive, a hip seafood spot featuring locally- sourced fish and produce from Jeremy Bearman, former executive chef of Michelin-starred Rouge Tomate and wife, Cindy Bearman, former Pastry Chef of Jean George’s ABC Kitchen
● Sur la Table, which will open to the public this Winter with a retail and cooking school
● Pura Vida, a Miami-based, health-conscious café offering an array of health-conscious dishes such as organic açaí bowls, superfood- packed smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, salads, and wraps made with fresh and simple locally sourced ingredients.
● Barrio Sangria Bar, a lively sangria and tapas concept by Big Time Restaurant Group
To learn more about Rosemary Square, click here.
