Roger Ferris + Partners has established a new South Florida presence with a 10,000 square foot office at Phillips Point, the waterfront office complex at 777 South Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. The move marks the firm’s first location outside the Northeast and follows a growing concentration of work across the region. The new space was reportedly scheduled to open yesterday November 15 with an initial team of twelve made up of local hires and staff transfers.
According to reporting from the South Florida Business Journal, the firm’s decision to establish a presence at Phillips Point follows a steady increase in commissions across South Florida and reflects the need for a local base to support its expanding workload. “You get to a point where you just have to be in the immediate area of where you are working in order to service clients properly,” founding principal Roger Ferris said. “That is really what motivated us to open up an office there.”
Credit: Roger Ferris + Partners.
Credit: Roger Ferris + Partners.
Roger Ferris + Partners is currently leading the redesign of Phillips Point in collaboration with developer Related Ross, which purchased the 450,000 square foot complex for $281.85 million in 2021. The renovation, valued at approximately $100 million, began in February and includes a full facade replacement, new building systems and landscape improvements across the site. The overhaul is expected to conclude by the end of next year.
Credit: Roger Ferris + Partners.
Credit: Roger Ferris + Partners.
Credit: Roger Ferris + Partners.
The firm is also working with Related Ross on Shorecrest, a luxury condominium development planned for 1901 North Flagler Drive. The growing number of commissions in West Palm Beach and across the county prompted the firm to evaluate where to locate its first Florida office. Ferris noted that the team considered Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton before selecting West Palm Beach. “If you step back and you look at these various areas, the one that is clearly evolving, that is almost starting from scratch in a way, is West Palm,” he said.
Credit: Roger Ferris + Partners.
Ferris added that the statewide construction pipeline contributed to the firm’s long-term commitment to the region. “There is probably more work than there are architects in the state. There is just a lot of opportunity there,” he said. He cited continued population growth, corporate migration and sustained development activity as indicators of market stability. “Everyone is looking at Florida. In the long run, I do not see that market slowing down. In our experience, it has been really a joy to work there.”
West Palm Beach continues to draw attention as it positions itself as a growing finance, technology and innovation center, often referred to as Wall Street South. Developer Stephen Ross, chairman of Related Ross and owner of the Miami Dolphins, has played a central role in this transformation through large scale office acquisitions and efforts to attract major companies to the area.
The city’s momentum is also reflected in recent regional marketing campaigns. Last week, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County launched a new advertising initiative in New York City promoting the Wall Street South identity and inviting executives and firms to consider relocation.
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