Thrive Art District Showcases Fort Lauderdale Creativity

Fort Lauderdale’s Thrive Art District is the latest arts-and-retail project to open in the city’s Progresso Village neighborhood, with organizers and city officials pitching it as a place for murals, studios and small businesses at 710 NW 5th Avenue. A May 18 segment on WSVN’s “Deco Drive” highlighted the district as a new destination for colorful installations and community-centered exhibitions. (wsvn.com) The City of Fort Lauderdale formally marked the project’s grand opening on March 5. City officials said the site is intended to bring business, culture and entertainment into a former industrial corridor. (fortlauderdale.gov) ### Where is Thrive Art District, and what is there now? (fortlauderdale.gov) The City of Fort Lauderdale said Thrive Art District is located at 710 NW 5th Avenue in the Progresso Village neighborhood near downtown. The city described it as a five-acre creative hub built to support local entrepreneurs and attract visitors from across the region. WSVN’s May 18 report described the district as a place where visitors can move through colorful works and artist-focused spaces. Search results from Thrive Art District’s own website describe the project as spanning about 5.3 acres and featuring an outdoor gallery, murals, walkways and spaces for business and cultural programming. (wsvn.com) ### How big is the project? City officials said the development includes more than 80,000 square feet of space. The city said that footprint was designed to support local entrepreneurs while creating a destination for arts, commerce and entertainment. (fortlauderdale.gov) Visit Lauderdale’s listing for the site says the district includes outdoor gallery space, murals, pedestrian passageways, a courtyard, a Music Square and an Art Square. That listing also says the district is open day and night, including weekends and holidays. ### Who is backing the district? Mayor Dean Trantalis said at the March 5 opening that Thrive Art District marked “an exciting milestone for Progresso Village and for our entire city.” He said the project reflected Fort Lauderdale’s approach to redevelopment while aiming to preserve neighborhood character and create economic opportunity. (wsvn.com) (fortlauderdale.gov) Commissioner Steven Glassman said the district was the kind of development the community needed because it supports small businesses, creates jobs and gives residents a new place to experience the arts. The city said the project involved a partnership among Fort Lauderdale, private developers and the Community Redevelopment Agency. (visitlauderdale.com) ### What does the district offer artists and visitors? WSVN’s segment presented Thrive as a visitor-facing arts destination centered on colorful new works and immersive visuals. The station said the district is showcasing creations meant to draw people into the area and expose them to local talent. (fortlauderdale.gov) Search results from Thrive’s website and tourism listings describe a mix of artist studios, retail galleries, boutique businesses and food-and-beverage tenants. A Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale event listing for a Thrive Art District Art Walk said past programming has included pop-up galleries, craft vendors, food trucks, a live DJ and performances by local artists. (fortlauderdale.gov) ### How does this fit into Fort Lauderdale’s redevelopment plans? The March 5 city announcement said Thrive brings “new energy and opportunity” to an industrial corridor in Progresso Village. City officials framed the district as part of a broader effort to pair redevelopment with neighborhood identity and local economic activity. (wsvn.com) Other public descriptions of the project say the Fort Lauderdale Community Redevelopment Agency helped fund surrounding streetscape work. Those descriptions characterize Thrive as both an arts venue and a commercial hub intended to increase foot traffic near downtown Fort Lauderdale. (thriveartdistrict.com) ### What comes next for people who want to visit? Thrive Art District’s official website lists events, tours, leasing information and contact details for the property at 710 NW 5th Ave. The City of Fort Lauderdale’s March 5 announcement directed residents and visitors to the district’s website for more information. (fortlauderdale.gov) Event listings tied to the district indicate organizers are continuing to use the site for art walks and public programming. Visitors looking for the next scheduled event can check Thrive Art District’s events page and related listings from local partners such as Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale. (thriveartdistrict.com) (thriveartdistrict.com) (newsbreak.com)