DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A big building project in Daytona Beach has been nearly sitting still for six years, and many people say it’s become an eyesore.
The project was supposed to be a $200 million, 31-story condo tower right on A1A near Oakridge Boulevard, but construction stopped soon after it started.
The city told News 6 the developer ran into funding issues that caused the delay. The owners, PDA Trading Inc., once promised it would be the tallest tower in Daytona Beach.
Now, after hearing the city’s frustrations, the developer agreed to change the plan and start building again soon.
“We’ve approved everything they need, and right after the Fourth of July, they’re going to get started with capping that ugly rebar off,” said Commissioner Ken Strickland.
The new plan will begin with a one-story retail and event space. Later, the developer might add more floors to make it the luxury high-rise they promised six years ago.
“We’ve finally gotten to a point where we’re all on the same page,” said Strickland.
This project has been a long fight. The city even took away the building permit after the developer missed deadlines. In 2022, the city called the rusty construction site “dangerous” and made the company clean it up.
“It’s so ugly! Something had to be done,” said resident John Nicholson. “This is a great compromise. It’ll look nice, they’ll be able to use it, especially the event space. Who wouldn’t want an event on the ocean!?”
People living nearby in the historic Seabreeze neighborhood, like Nicholson, think the project could be a good addition to Daytona Beach if it reaches the quality once promised.
“When this goes in, it could change Seabreeze, it’ll change everything north up to Ormond. So I anticipate a great thing,” he said.