Sundy Village is a new seven acre mixed use development centered around the historic Sundy House, which was built in 1902 by John Shaw Sundy, Delray Beach's first mayor. The development preserves six of the city's oldest pioneer buildings, combining Queen Anne and Colonial Revival architecture with modern restaurants, shops, and office space. Historic buildings include the Cathcart house. the third oldest house in the city and an example of French colonial Architecture, The Rectory, a 1912 home for Methodist clergy, and 40 and 16 South Swinton Avenue which are three structures built in the 1930's.
John Shaw Sundy came to South Florida as a construction superintendent for Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway before building his home at the corner of Atlantic and Swinton Avenues in 1902. The Sundy House became one of the community's earliest gathering places. It served at various times as the town's first bank, a schoolhouse, the meeting place for the First Baptist Church, and a center for civic events. The Sundy family remained on the property for decades, and the home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. In later years it became a boutique inn, restaurant, and botanical garden.
The project was originally proposed as Midtown Delray before being renamed Sundy Village in honor of the property's historic home. The recently completed first phase includes approximately 100,000 square feet of Class A office space and 30,000 square feet of retail and dining. Future phases will add another office building, a public parking garage, and the restoration of additional historic homes, including the reopening of the Sundy House as a restaurant. Rumored future tenants include Barcelona Wine Bar, Double Knot, Taco stand, Delray Beach Craft brewing, and Drinking Pig BBQ.
I had the opportunity to explore Sundy Village while visiting Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, which occupies one of the beautifully restored historic bungalow, the 1925 Thieme House. I love how the developers were able to repurpose these historic buildings instead of tearing them down and losing this history forever. Instead they chose to celebrate it. The Delray Beach Historical Society has installed attractive interpretive plaques in front of each structure, so that you can quickly learn the history of each building.
One of my favorite features is the large historic looking windmill and fountain near the entrance. The windmill is a recreation of the original 1902 water-pumping windmill and water tower that once served John Sundy's property. It creates a focal point to the development while also celebrating Delray Beach's pioneer heritage. I look forward to seeing the remaining phases completed and watching this unique development continue to grow. read more