The Boca Raton Observer: Power Players David Martin

Real Estate Development

Founded in 2001 by CEO David Martin, Coconut Grove-based Terra is an award-winning real estate firm focused on projects that positively impact communities and their surroundings. Terra has a strong track record of shaping South Florida’s real estate and brings a community-first approach through public-private partnerships. “Our approach is neighborhood-specific,” says Martin. “We listen to what a community needs, whether it’s green space, walkability, stormwater solutions, or education access, and tailor our strategies accordingly.” Terra’s portfolio includes a diverse range of asset classes spanning retail, hospitality, residential, office and mixed-use projects. The firm is currently focused on master plans in Boca Raton: Boca Raton City Hall and Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC). Boca Raton City Hall could become the centerpiece of a vibrant neighborhood with civic, residential and commercial spaces, states Terra and its partner, the Frisbee Group, LLC, in a joint background communication. The developers are creating a sustainable, connected neighborhood that will serve as a model for future urban development. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, the master plan features green spaces, preserved tree canopies and pedestrian-friendly streets, with low- and mid-rise buildings to foster community and activate public spaces. Terra intends to develop 18 parks within the master plan, including a community center, classrooms and a gymnasium. The master plan has three phases, ongoing for the next 8 to 10 years, with the first phase starting within the next few years. At Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC), Terra is partnering with a development entity consisting of Rialto Capital Management, DRA Advisors and CP Group to reimagine the iconic campus as a mixed-use, transit-oriented community that will include a variety of residential offerings, as well as commercial retail and office space. Leveraging the site’s proximity to the adjacent Boca Raton Tri-Rail station and nearby Brightline stop, this multiphase plan will promote pedestrian connectivity, support public transportation use and integrate such critical elements as resiliency, flood protection and thoughtfully designed green spaces that serve as active, communal gathering points, ultimately fostering connectivity for both residents and visitors of the City of Boca Raton.