Ocean Walk Surfside, Surfside, FL Homes for Sale

Discover the Ocean Walk Proposal

Ocean Walk is a proposed mixed-use residential and hotel project planned for Surfside. Positioned to become the first major Live Local Act development in the small coastal town, the project has stirred public discussion about how Florida’s new housing law interacts with local planning and development goals. The proposal reflects broader trends in South Florida’s approach to affordable and mixed-income housing while highlighting tensions between state incentives and local zoning preferences.

About the Ocean Walk Project

Developers have put forward plans for Ocean Walk Residences & Hotel, an 11-story building on a 0.3-acre parcel at 250 95th Street — currently the site of a postal facility. If built as proposed, the development would include:

• A mix of 33 residential units

• 11 hotel rooms

• A rooftop deck for residents and guests

Breakdown of planned residences includes efficiencies, one-bedroom, and four-bedroom units designed by Plus Architecture.

Under Florida’s Live Local Act, developers can seek administrative approval to exceed local zoning height and density limits by designating at least 40 % of units as income-restricted rental housing that must remain affordable for at least 30 years.

Location and Context

Ocean Walk’s proposed site sits on the west side of Collins Avenue, a corridor known for its mix of residential, commercial, and hospitality development. Surfside’s current zoning in this area limits building heights to about four stories, making the Ocean Walk proposal a significant departure in scale.

What is the Live Local Act?

The Live Local Act is a Florida state housing law designed to encourage the creation of affordable housing by allowing developers to build larger, denser residential projects than otherwise permitted under local rules — if certain affordability and rental conditions are met. This law has been controversial in smaller municipalities like Surfside, where residents worry about impacts on local infrastructure, traffic, and community identity.

Future of Ocean Walk

At this stage, Ocean Walk remains a proposed project under review. Plans may evolve through continued municipal review processes or legal challenges. Developers and town planners will need to reconcile Surfside’s community vision with state housing policy goals, making Ocean Walk a case study in how Florida’s Live Local Act plays out in coastal, low-density communities.