04-03-2025
New look for west Boca? Shadowood Square set for makeover, demolition of shuttered cinema
BOCA RATON — The Shadowood Square shopping center west of Boca Raton is about to get a major makeover.
The owners of the site at State Road 7 and Glades Road will demolish the shuttered Shadowood 16 movie theater — which seated nearly 3,000 people — and a communication tower and then gut three other buildings. Six new buildings will be constructed to accommodate 50,000 square feet of retail stores and restaurants, all with outdoor dining.
The new venues will also include a fitness center, a car wash and a tire store.
Palm Beach County commissioners on Feb. 27 approved the zoning changes that will allow the reconfiguration of the shopping center to move forward.
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South Carolina-based Edens, a national retail real estate developer, acquired the 339,343 square-foot shopping center in August 2023. It said the population growth in suburban Boca Raton had created an increased demand for "modern and relevant retail experiences."
The movie theater opened in 1987 and closed in January 2023 after its owner, Cineworld, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It had a reputation built over decades for being one of the few spots to see smaller independent films alongside blockbusters. The matinees once drew crowds to the shopping center and it served as the plaza's anchor.
County Commissioner Maria Sachs called Shadowood, which is located in her south county district, an "iconic development that has been a real community meeting place."
She urged Edens to consider using part of the 35-acre parcel for housing — and to find a book store to replace the Barnes & Noble that closed last year.
Edens' agent, Scott Backman, responding to Sachs, said efforts are under way to bring in a book store and possibly housing as well. An Edens spokesperson declined to say what retail tenants would be moving into the new center.
Edens also redeveloped the Lakeside Centre complex at Glades Road and Florida's Turnpike about 2 miles east of Shadowood Square.
Edens expects the project to revitalize the Glades Road and State Road 7 corner.
"Redevelopment plans will draw on our deeply rooted placemaking philosophy to deliver a curated and elevated destination to the Boca community," Edens said in a news release issued when it bought the shopping center for $88.4 million from a partnership led by Miami attorney Evelyn Langlieb Greer.
In documents submitted to the county, Edens said available land for commercial retail is limited and that it would be desirable to redevelop existing older commercial centers such as Shadowood. It noted that the county's zoning code encourages such redevelopment.
When the work is completed, there will be parking for 1,356 cars, 13 more than what is required.
Plans call for reconfiguring of parking areas near the new buildings, as well as for paving and drainage, water and sewer improvements. The county is requiring that landscaping along Glades Road contain one 12-foot native tree every 30 linear feet.
The makeover will reduce the building square footage on the property by about 4,000 square feet, according to documents submitted to the county.
After the makeover is completed, the square footage will actually be reduced by about 4,000 square feet, according to documents submitted to the county.
'Shadowood is an exciting addition to EDENS' Florida portfolio," said Nicole Shiman, senior vice president at EDENS when it purchased the shopping center. She said the company hopes its plans "will resonate with the local community."
Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and issues impacting homeowner associations. You can reach him at mdiamond@ Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Shadowood Square plans new stores, restaurants in west Boca Raton
