A pockmarked, industrial road off Congress Avenue in Delray Beach leads to an astonishing revelation: a colorful, mural-splashed collection of artists’ galleries, restaurants, hair salons, workout studios and spas.
The Andre Design District, formerly zoned for automotive repair shops, is now home to 70 small businesses, with a waiting list of 10, according to the developer, who want in on the industrial-chic setting, entrepreneurial feel and reasonably priced rents.
A leather designer, a pierogi cafe, a juice bar, a personal trainer, an artist at work: Tenants are local residents who were looking for a sense of community apart from Delray Beach’s more famous business destination, East Atlantic Avenue, where high rents are squeezing out small merchants and large chains are staking their place.
The Andre district, on the other hand, is a work in progress, with a transmission repair shop still remaining as the trendy venues, including a hot yoga studio, a tea bar and a medical spa, have made their way onto the property.
If you haven’t checked out this unlikely hub yet, here’s a reason to go: An Art Walk on Friday, Jan. 9, will showcase the district’s retail shops, restaurants and office tenants. There will also be outdoor yoga classes, live music and vendors from outside the district selling their wares.
Business owner Chad Lavigne said he was lured to the district by its up-and-coming energy.
“I’m a New Yorker and I was searching for a place with grit and coolness,” said Lavigne, who is developing a brand of scented candles and leather goods from his Andre district studio. “I found my Brooklyn in Florida.”
That urban, aspirational feeling begins with the exterior. The 36 outdoor murals on the four buildings’ walls are the vision of district developer Steven Michael, who owns several properties in the Atlantic Avenue area. These include the former Doc’s All American burger joint, a landmark that closed in 2021 but is expected to reopen in the coming years adjacent to a new three-story complex, City Center Delray.
Michael said he bought the arts district property eight years ago. His original plan was to build apartments on the 5-acre site, which is near the Tri-Rail station and Palm Beach County government complex. But as he spoke with Atlantic Avenue residents and business owners, he said he began to see the need for a space for artists and other creative types seeking affordable rents in a collaborative setting.
Rents in the design district are about $40 a square foot, compared with about $120 in the East Atlantic Avenue business zone, Michael said.
Wynwood, the arts district in Miami where massive murals attract tourists from throughout the world, was an inspiration.
“The murals are the driver in Wynwood,” said Michael, 61, a Chicago native who has lived in Delray Beach for 25 years. “I thought we could create an Art Basel North, where Delray Beach becomes an arts destination.”
Michelle Drummond, 49, is among the artists who have set up shop in the district. The native of Jamaica, who works on large-scale, colorful fiber projects, had been an artist-in-residence at Delray Beach’s downton Arts Warehouse for about four years when she needed to find a new place to work and asked Michael if he had room for her.
She moved into a space, which she named Drummond Fine Art, 2 1/2 years ago. She said she loves the way she can walk to a neighboring business when she needs a photo taken or a pedestal built or a door fixed or a snack from the coffee shop.
“This is a gem,” said the former college field-hockey player and project management coordinator, who decided to become a full-time artist seven years ago. “It’s fairly priced for what art spaces are going for. I love the communal environment and the creative community and the vibe.”
Chris David set up his hair salon in the district, but for some customers, his artwork is part of the draw.
One wall is decorated with red blow-dryers, hair straighteners and curling irons, with their cords like kites blowing in the wind. Paintings, geometric shapes and a colorful chandelier surround those who come in for a haircut.
“I feel like I’m in a museum,” said Delray Beach resident Carol Turner, who was getting her hair colored by David at his namesake salon.
David, 43, moved his salon into the arts district from a historic home in downtown Delray Beach in 2020.
“It was no longer feasible for me to be downtown because of the cost,” he said.
He has slowly been decorating the salon with his own art and designs so it can double as an event space, with color-coded lighting, a waterfall and a renovated patio.
Michael sees the presence of district business owners such as David as key to maintaining Delray Beach as a destination not only for fancy dining and shopping, but as a place where local residents of moderate income can live and work.
He said, “100%, this is about renewing Delray Beach. It has so much potential to become so much more.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT:: Andre Design District Art Walk
WHEN: 5-8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9
WHERE: 1880 Dr. Andres Way, Delray Beach
COST: Admission is free
INFORMATION: designdelray.com
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