West Palm Beach's Nora District brings New York spirit to a redeveloped neighborhood.

The Nora District, a 40-acre redevelopment on North Railroad Avenue, has opened retail and restaurants and plans a 201-key hotel plus hundreds of residences while preserving historic railway buildings.

The Nora District, short for North Railroad Avenue, is the largest redevelopment project in West Palm Beach in 25 years and sits on about 40 acres of former railway warehouses. Developers Place Projects, NDT Development and Wheelock Street Capital have restored historic buildings and added pedestrian-friendly streets and open public spaces. The site now hosts a range of businesses that include New York-origin restaurants and national retailers alongside local services. Developers also plan a boutique hotel and multiple residential buildings as part of the district's continuing transformation. Key facts: - The district covers roughly 40 acres and includes about 100,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel and hundreds of housing units. - Place Projects, NDT Development and Wheelock Street Capital are the lead developers, and Joe Furst and Ned Grace are quoted about design and preservation goals. - The project preserves and restores historic railway warehouses and adds pedestrian-friendly streets and outdoor art installations announced by developers. - Tenants include Juliana's Pizza from Brooklyn, H&H Bagels, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, Sunday Motor Co., and retailers such as Le Labo and Warby Parker. - A 201-key Nora Hotel is being developed with BD Hotels and Sean MacPherson and is aiming to open in October. - Planned housing includes a Phase 3 multifamily project with an 11-story building of about 350 units and a separate 11-story condominium with 117 residences. Summary: Nora has attracted a mix of New York transplant customers and familiar national and New York dining brands, contributing to a shift in neighborhood character. The development emphasizes restored railway architecture, public spaces and cultural installations. The Nora Hotel project is targeting an October opening, and developers say they will break ground on Phase 3 multifamily housing later this year. The longer-term trajectory of the district will depend on construction timelines and tenant openings.