In recent years, Florida has seen a massive increase in people moving to the state and North Central Florida is no exception to this. On Thursday, a ground-breaking ceremony was held for a new $186 million luxury condominium complex in Gainesville.
BAI Capital, an investment firm based out of Aventura in Miami-Dade County, seized the opportunity to build Archer Place. The plot of land the firm chose is nestled between several student housing complexes, is two miles away from the center of UF’s campus and in proximity to Butler Plaza at 3101 Archer Rd.
The company has been eyeing and surveying the piece of land for nearly two years, and announced its plan to commit to the construction project on Thursday at a networking event in collaboration with the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce. The event also introduced a model unit of the condo complex.
“They, as a company, have been focused on investing in student housing projects in Florida, Texas as well as New York…Gainesville is a great place to be, you have [at UF] over 60,000 people and over 90,000 people on game day,” said Kyle Majors, a 32-year-old sales manager of Archer Place. “There is a certain demand for this type of community to come here. We’re bringing a new flair, some of that South Florida flare, to Gainesville, giving people a more upscale luxury feel.”
Slated for a December 2026 completion, the complex is projected to have 92 units, including 19 penthouses, nine of which will have a private pool. The complex would offer on-site amenities such as a climate-controlled pool, a fitness and business center, and a clubhouse kitchen with a dining area.
The complex is meeting the demand of primarily South Floridians looking for a less expensive alternative to luxury living, said Eric Godet, president and CEO of the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.
“Our fastest group of people migrating to our area is from South Florida, both Southeast and Southwest Florida, and so having these kinds of products for the individuals that are moving here is very important,” Godet said. “It’s just a nice area to increase and address the concerns of those who need housing in this area…We know the changes that are happening on UF’s campus, and it’s great to see the private sector coming up with solutions that are close to campus to make that happen.”
The city has seen a 4.18% increase since its last census in 2020, according to the World Population Review.
Aside from the announcement of the soon-to-be economic development in Gainesville, the event offered a great opportunity to connect with representatives of different companies across the city, Randi Feliciano, a 25-year-old talent acquisition specialist with Northwestern Mutual, said.
“It definitely is an opportunity to network, and you get to know more individuals to help grow the business that I currently work for, but also to be able to have those referrals, connections and put somebody in the right direction if they’re looking for nonprofit organizations or places to volunteer,” Feliciano said.
“Luxury”
A word I seldom see in ads for future “affordable housing.”
186 million dollar project, with 92 units… So each condo is 2 million, who is this for?
Will go empty
Oh there is always the nay sayers. The purchaser/residents say differently. They are buying, we are building and they will love life at Archer Place. Its okay its not for you.
Would love to see the math on how they think this will work. The building looks plain.
Its the sexiest thing Gainesville has seen! Its far from plain..you should check out our website and architectural offerings of wrap around balconies, lush landscaping, retail, a 6,000 sq foot restaurant…very vibrant..very modern..and in very good taste.
Flattering Yourself Is Not Flattering
No, the total community we are building is this valuation to include apartments and condos. Our condo’s start at just $470,000. Many purchasers, however, have selected some of our Penthouses with rooftop splash pools and those have sold for over $1M. come see us!
I hope you already have a plan in place to comply with the City of Gainesville, FL Zero Waste Initiative, including food waste collection from multi-family properties.
Thank you for sharing in the community discussion! I agree that people should be free to choose where and how they live.
Some commenters here also seem to forget that more available housing units means an increase in supply, which helps keep other housing in town more affordable. Supply and demand, econ 101!
Luxury? 186 million $? 92 units? Being BAI Capital based in Aventura (Miami-Dade), I have to assume and expect them to carry out the construction following the Miami-Dade County Building Codes including to withstand the high wind speed & impact as indicated on the Miami-Dade County Hurricane Impact Codes (to withstand both, small and large missiles impacts). Correct? SAFETY and quality first.
Very confusing article without any attempt to focus. Is it luxury housing? Rich student housing? Penthouses with pools. Where is it going to be located specifically. How does a project this big only get in the know at ground breaking. South Florida Flair? Throw-up! This town is being destroyed by outsiders and nature and culture will also be victims. I’ve got .37 acres on Archer road at Butler plaza that can build to 5 stories by right, and a wink and a nod will get three more floors up! Please, somebody buy it so I can get the heck out if this county! I already hate having to live here. The future is bleak.
We are building caddy cornered from the start of Butlers Plaza at Archer and 34th. We haven’t done much for public broadcasting because of the past 2 years we have been working on the infrastructure like, you know, underground utilities, water, sewer, power, streets etc and the community isn’t interested until you are ready to go vertical. So there you have it, the secret is out and we are selling to those who desire a carefree lifestyle in an amenity rich luxury place to live. Sorry you’ll miss it, hope you find a nice little spot just right for you when you leave.
James G., have you considered “donating” your property? Throwing-up? Alka-Seltzer with it! Both, Gainesville’s front-welcome door as well as Gainesville’s “good-by” back door are open. Go for it and enjoy the rest of your journey and may the Almighty look after you.
Hi EJ… your remarks are way off the mark. You personally must not be being impacted by the nonsense that is destroying many lives here. From killings (pedestrian, cyclists, cars, just trying to enjoy a night out) this place is so different than when I moved here from Jacksonville in 1982. Are you familiar with the Robbinswood subdivision here? If not, you might want to really get involved by actually observing what’s going on.
The one thing you don’t need to concern yourself with is how the “Almighty” looks after his children. I am blessed in spite of what the city “leaders” have done to me. I will always be blessed and protected. You and many others may not fair so well. I don’t trust liars and thieves and that is who is in charge in this city. Good luck.
We are hypocritical to complain about urban sprawl and destroying more farmlands and natural habitats if we won’t allow Developers to go higher than five stories!
Thank you for some intelligence! You cannot stop growth, the University is growing, the hospitals are growing so that means the town needs to grow. Many have no idea that north Florida has been the #1 destination people from across the entire United States move to. That’s right…not Orlando, not Miami or California…North Florida. We are thrilled to be here.
They are just east of 34th St on Old Archer Rd. Prices start at $450’s for A ONE BEDROOM. That’s nuts.
Actually Tim, with the great sales thus far our prices start at $470K now. For those who purchase early in new construction, you always in on price.
The last thing this area needs is housing that no one can afford, complete with private pools….that destroys the watersheds and causes more flooding. Just where do you think these people are supposed to work that will pay them a salary to actually afford these condos because it sure ISN’T Alachua county. So low pay rate and not affordable housing. Way to go county planners.
I doubt the developers would invest this much money building something they think “no one could afford.”
Thank you!!!
@Jmunnie… see Celebration Point and The Vue.
and Noble, which is now in receivership
CS if you look at what we are building; yes we are building luxury condos, but we are also constructing workforce apartments. We are attentive to the needs and desires for the area. The pool statement has no merit, I won’t comment. Those who are buying…can definetely afford it and some bought 2!
Where are the workforce apartments in Gainesville, FL? How many units?
Oh, if you’re really “attentive to the needs and desires for the area,” then maybe, just maybe, you’d be building these for the actual people who live in Gainesville, not the game-day, vacation-home crowd from South Florida. Just a thought! Also, for a sales associate, you’re bringing a lot of main-character energy. Might want to dial it back a notch.
Breaking Ground Ceremony for Luxury Condo’s to be Built in Gainesville Florida Alachua County With Nine (9) Penthouse Private Swimming Pools. That is going to be a Huge Weight Factor on Florida Land Known for Having Sink Holes and Known Partial Swamp Land. Gainesville Land is Not like South Florida Land. The Ancient Romans were Masters of Building and Engineering, perhaps most Famously Represented by the Aqueducts. Those still functional Marvels Rely on a Unique Construction Material Named “Pozzolanic” Concrete. A Spectacularly Durable Concrete That Gave Roman Structures Their Incredible Strength. Florida Known for Mold and Deteriorating Factors On Cheap Concrete and Cinder Blocks. I personally would consult the Periodic Table and the Atomic Periodic Table and a Mathematics Professor and a Geologist before I Placed Nine (9) Swimming Pools on Top Of 92 Condo Apartments!! Have a Good Day! Make Good Choices!!🐊
Thank you Bob. The rooftop pools offered on the penthouses are about 6×9 and 3.5′ deep. Hope that helps a little with your concern. The rest we leave to our architects and engineers as well as our contractors who build often across North Florida and in fact…Gainesville. We appreciate the thoughts.
about 6 tons of water each. not terribly much.
Just wondering…. who is going to service all these luxury buildings once you price the cost of living out of the range for service workers in Gainesville? How about concentrating on the non- student population? Now there’s a thought!
Good points to ponder. We are building luxury condos for those who desire the lifestyle. We are also building an apartment that will serve others as well as workforce residences.
Is this location within the city limits of Gainesville, FL?
Yes. Archer and 34th basically.
Has anybody thought about the increased traffic on archer rd.? Have a plan do you?
Thomas..it for sure is a busy road. We are a branch off of Archer on Old Archer Road as the entrance to our community. Come pay a visit.
So no affordable housing units?? Not even a small percentage?
I don’t understand the comment about nonprofits. Are they suggesting that non profits would fit in in this luxury condo?
While I’m not sure why someone would pay a million to live in that location, it’s perfectly reasonable for higher density infill vs more sprawl. The missing piece is what we the taxpayers are “contributing”. What incentives, tax abatements, subsidies or new infrastructure have been promised? Free enterprise seems to require a lot of other peoples’ money these days.
Look at the “luxury” units over in Celebration Pointe. There are about a half dozen $400k + residential properties for sale and I think they are still building them.
In all fairness, MJL, come look at Archer Place! We are not Celebration. We are a small, quaint, true resort style luxury condo with “in building” amenities without getting in the car and driving to a fitness center, or movie theatre or pool. They are all right here. We also will have a host of retail options as well as a 6,000 sq ft 2 story restaurant. We are fully funded…in good financial shape…and are very proud of what we are bringing to Gainesville. Come see us M-F 10-5 and really see what we are doing. Then if you want to go to Celebration…certainly do.
How much is it going to cost the taxpayers in Gainesville?
I see people here talking about $400k and $500k minimum prices, but $186M for 92 units verages over $2 million each!!
Thanks Carlo. The development of the entire community we are building has that large price tag to include the large cost of bringing in the infrastructure such as water, sewer, electric, streets, curb, gutter, retail, restaurant, condos and apartments. Whew. Thats a heavy price tag for sure but its all things considered in the cost of developing. Not simple math..pretty complex actually. We are happy to be here and providing some resident options not offered elsewhere in Gainesville.
Thanks for info. Of course the entire development needs all of the infrastructure. But besides the residential and fitness/business center mentioned in the article, your comments mention restaurants and retail. Is that going to be a large fraction of the whole, or say just the first floor?
As a Gainesville resident for over 30 years, I’m less than thrilled to see luxury condos being built for people moving up from South Florida. I can understand why they want to move. OVERCROWDING AND TRAFFIC CONGESTION. We’ve been crying out for affordable housing and LESS luxury housing for years. Projects like yours continue to encourage the kind of growth we don’t need. We are already destroying the beauty of North Central Florida. Once again, those of us that care about housing are presented with the information AFTER the groundbreaking.
That “South Florida flair” needs to stay in South Florida, thank you very much.