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ARB urges softer hotel materials, recommends council approve K Park building‑height requests
Summary
The ARB unanimously recommended council approval for four K Park buildings exceeding 35 feet (including an 86‑foot hotel) but asked Related Ross/architects to soften the hotel’s materials and add warmer architectural details before finalization.
The Wellington Architectural Review Board on an advisory vote recommended council approval of design and material elements for four K Park buildings that require council sign‑off because they exceed the village’s 35‑foot height threshold.
Staff briefed the board on petition R2026‑08 (petition 2026‑0002‑CU) and explained that Building H (a hotel) is requesting a maximum height of 86 feet while Buildings D1/D2 would be 42 feet and G4 a two‑story restaurant at 47 feet. Staff said all proposed buildings meet or exceed required increased setback standards and must provide at least three community benefits; the applicant offered electric vehicle charging stations, publicly accessible promenades and plazas, and Florida green‑building (silver) certification among the conditions of approval.
Urban Design Studio’s representative Lehi Chi Jean Louis and Related Ross development executive Kevin Ryan joined architect David Manfredi (on Zoom) to present a pedestrian‑oriented mixed‑use village with retail, restaurants, offices, apartments, a private school and a hotel. Manfredi emphasized a village scale and “pushing the parking to the perimeter” to create a pedestrian environment. The architect described the hotel as the project’s focal point and said materials may include stone, precast panels and metal‑framed windows.
Board members praised the overall plan but raised concerns about the hotel’s current massing and exterior expression. One member said the hotel “stands out as a very urban design, somewhat out of place in this environment” and urged softer, warmer materials and architectural detailing. The applicant team said the project is in design development and welcomed design suggestions.
A board member moved to recommend approval to council while incorporating the board’s design guidance asking the applicant to pursue warmer materials, incorporate charm (arches, balconies) and refine the hotel facade. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously; the ARB’s action is advisory to council, which will make the final decision on the conditional use height requests.
