What Is Being Built Between Ocean Avenue and Boynton Beach Boulevard?

If you’ve driven through East Boynton lately—especially along Ocean Avenue or Boynton Beach Boulevard—you’ve probably noticed a large construction site rising quickly near the railroad tracks. Many residents have been asking the same question: What exactly is being built there?

The project is called Villages at East Ocean, and it’s one of the most significant redevelopment projects currently underway in Downtown Boynton Beach.

Here’s a closer look at what it is, what it will include, and why it matters for the future of the area.

A Major Mixed-Use Development in Downtown Boynton

The Villages at East Ocean is a mixed-use development located at 405 E. Ocean Avenue in the city’s Cultural District, just east of I-95. The project is being developed by Edgewater Capital Investments in partnership with the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency as part of the city’s ongoing downtown revitalization efforts.

The development sits on roughly 3.37 acres and is designed to bring a more urban, walkable environment to the Ocean Avenue corridor. When completed, the project will include:

336 modern rental apartments
Approximately 8,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space
668 structured parking spaces
Two public plazas for community gatherings
A landscaped linear park connecting Ocean Avenue to Boynton Beach Boulevard

Construction began in May 2025, and the project is expected to be completed around 2027.

Designed to Create a Walkable “Downtown” Feel

One of the key goals of the project is to create a more connected and pedestrian-friendly downtown area.

The development will feature public plazas, retail storefronts, and a pedestrian walkway that links Ocean Avenue to Boynton Beach Boulevard along the railroad corridor. This design encourages people to walk between shops, restaurants, and nearby neighborhoods instead of relying solely on cars.

City leaders hope this will help transform the Ocean Avenue corridor into a more vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike.

Retail and Community Spaces

While the residential units will make up the majority of the project, the ground-floor retail component is expected to add new businesses to the area.

Plans currently call for about 8,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, including a neighborhood coffee shop that will be offered at below-market rent as part of the redevelopment agreement.

The project will also include 120 public parking spaces reserved for visitors and local businesses, helping support nearby commercial activity.

A Second Phase Is Already Planned

Interestingly, the current construction is only Phase I of the broader vision.

A second phase of the Villages at East Ocean is planned for the south side of Ocean Avenue and could add another 171 residential units in the future.

If completed as envisioned, the combined phases could anchor a much larger residential and lifestyle district in East Boynton.

Why This Project Matters for Boynton Beach

Beyond the new apartments and retail space, the Villages project represents a broader shift in how the city is developing its downtown.

According to local economic projections, the development could generate over $325 million in economic impact over five years, along with more than 1,100 construction jobs and dozens of permanent jobs once complete.

More importantly, projects like this help create the density and activity needed for a true downtown environment—something Boynton Beach has been working toward for years.

What Residents Can Expect Next

Right now, construction is still in the structural phase, which is why the site has been so visible from both Ocean Avenue and Boynton Beach Boulevard. Over the next year or two, the project will begin to take shape with exterior finishes, landscaping, and retail build-outs.

By the time it opens, the Villages at East Ocean is expected to bring new residents, new businesses, and new energy to the heart of Boynton Beach.

For a city that has long been overshadowed by nearby downtowns like Delray Beach and West Palm Beach, this development could be an important step toward creating a more active and recognizable downtown of its own.