Partners revive stalled Metropica megaproject

TL;DR

Metropica Revival: Metropica Development CEO Joseph Kavana announced new partners to restart the stalled mixed-use project in Sunrise after five years.
$300M Partners: Poag Development and Waypoint Residential will handle about $300 million in retail and residential work, including at least 900 units.
Phase One Launch: Construction starts this October on nearly 1,000 luxury apartments, 150,000 square feet of retail, and office space over retail.[[1]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project/)[[2]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project)

The story at a glance

Metropica Development held a ceremonial groundbreaking this week to revive its long-stalled $1.5 billion mixed-use project on 65 acres in western Broward County's Sunrise, bringing on Poag Development for retail and Waypoint Residential for housing. CEO Joseph Kavana, president Bernard Werner, and Waypoint's Chris Moore highlighted the partnerships at the event. The announcement comes after COVID delays, a 2024 push for joint ventures, and a recent density boost from Sunrise. The site sits between Sawgrass Mills mall and Amerant Bank Arena.[[1]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project/)

Key points

Overall project plans more than 3,000 condos and apartments, 650,000 square feet of office space, 485,000 square feet of retail, and two hotels.
First phase targets nearly 1,000 luxury apartments, over 150,000 square feet of retail focused on restaurants, shops, and entertainment complementary to Sawgrass Mills, plus 50,000 square feet of condo office space above retail.
Poag and Waypoint bought portions of the property; Metropica Development will manage infrastructure and join the joint venture.
Waypoint commits to at least 900 residential units over the next several years.
First tower, Metropica One with 263 condos at 1800 Northwest 136th Avenue, finished in 2020; site assembly began in the early 1990s, approvals in 2014.[[1]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project/)

Details and context

Kavana started buying parcels in the early 1990s and got mixed-use approvals in 2014, but progress halted after the first tower amid setbacks including COVID in 2020. Last year, Sunrise approved higher density to spread costs across more units, and in 2024 brokers helped line up partners. Metropica sold land to Poag and Waypoint without disclosing prices; the partners take on $300 million in development while Metropica handles roads and utilities. Kavana expects the first phase operating within three years.[[1]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project/)

Key quotes

“This is my work, and we are going to keep fighting the same way we fought over the last 15 years to try to make this a reality,” Joseph Kavana said at the event on Tuesday.[[1]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project/)

“All the stars are aligned right now for us to be able to carry forward. We were ready to do this back in 2020 when Covid hit, and we had just finished the first tower,” Kavana said.[[1]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project/)

Why it matters

The project could create Sunrise's first urban-style hub in a suburban area, adding thousands of homes, jobs, and amenities near major draws like Sawgrass Mills. Developers, investors, and local businesses gain from revived momentum on a $1.5 billion plan after years of delays. Watch for actual construction progress and phase-one leasing, as timelines depend on market conditions.[[1]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project/)

What changed

The project stalled after completing Metropica One in 2020, hit by COVID and other issues, with only that 263-unit tower built despite 2014 approvals. Now Poag and Waypoint have joined via land sales and a joint venture for retail and residential, enabling construction to start this October on the next phase. The shift followed 2024 broker efforts and Sunrise's density increase last year.[[1]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project/)

FAQ

Q: When does Metropica's next construction phase start?

A: Construction on the next phase begins in October 2025, following a ceremonial groundbreaking this week.

Q: What do the new partners handle at Metropica?

A: Poag Development takes the retail component, Waypoint Residential the residential phases, covering about $300 million in work.

Q: What is included in Metropica's first phase?

A: Nearly 1,000 luxury apartments, more than 150,000 square feet of retail, and 50,000 square feet of office space above the retail.

Q: How long has Joseph Kavana worked on Metropica?

A: Site assembly began in the early 1990s, with 15 years of effort to advance the project as of 2025.[[1]](https://therealdeal.com/miami/2025/10/01/retail-resi-partners-join-stalled-metropica-sunrise-project/)