South Florida-based development firm Merrimac Ventures has broken ground on Merrimac Plantation, a new multifamily development on the rise in the City of Plantation, Florida. Located at 1711 N. University Drive, Merrimac Plantation will total 293,945 square feet with 306 rental apartments across two six-story midrise buildings. Construction is now underway and slated for completion in 2023.

Apartments will range from one- to three-bedroom layouts, featuring modern stainless-steel appliances, high-end European cabinetry, elegant quartz countertops, and smart locks and thermostats. Amenities will include a double height lobby, club room, pool, covered terrace, barbecue grilling stations, two exterior courtyards, fitness center, a co-working and business center with private offices and conference rooms, a resident ‘hangout’ lounge, dog park and dog spa, electric vehicle charging stations, and available Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the property.

“Once completed, Merrimac Plantation will meet growing demand for market rate rental housing in Central Broward County, which is experiencing an influx of new residents drawn to the area’s accessible location, appealing quality of life, and proximity to several major employers,” said Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner of Merrimac Ventures.

Merrimac Plantation will provide residents an appealing live, work, play environment, with the property’s strategic location adjacent to the Plantation Midtown Business District, an 860-acre master-planned development featuring 2.5 million square feet of retail and restaurants as well as 3 million square feet of office space. Also within close proximity is the Plantation Pointe Office Park, the Westside Regional Medical Center, and the Plantation Walk mixed-use redevelopment. Large retail outlets nearby include the one million square foot Fountain Shoppes lifestyle center and the 2.4 million square foot Sawgrass Mills. Residents can also enjoy Plantation's Central Park, a 103-acre park with a multitude of sporting activities.

Broward County’s City of Plantation is a growing, vibrant municipality and one of South Florida’s most desirable suburban neighborhoods, with a residential population exceeding 94,000 and a daily workforce of more than 55,000. As Plantation’s thriving business community continues to grow and attract major companies, the City is already home to some of the region’s largest employers including Motorola Solutions, Aetna Insurance, TradeStation, Virgin Voyages, AmSurg, Baptist Health, Magic Leap and Chewy. Plantation is easily accessible to major highways including the Florida Turnpike, and is within a 20-minute drive of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades.

Merrimac Plantation is the newest addition to Merrimac Ventures’ growing portfolio of developments across South Florida. The firm’s current projects include the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale Beach; Riverfront East, a new mixed-use development underway in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale that is currently home to the popular outdoor event venue The Wharf; the recently opened Flagler Village Hotel, a dual branded Hilton Tru/Home2 Suites property adjacent to Brightline’s train station; an 11-story boutique condominium planned for 530 North Beach Road in Fort Lauderdale Beach; 1350 South Ocean, an approved 27-story, 92-unit luxury condominium tower along the beachfront in Pompano Beach; 317 North Federal, a 716-unit multifamily development in Fort Lauderdale; and Miami Worldcenter, a $4 billion, 27-acre master planned mixed-use development underway in Downtown Miami.

Images via Al Evans, Downtown Photo