Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, today celebrated the groundbreaking of the Nora Hotel in West Palm Beach, Florida. Developed by New York-based BD Hotels in partnership with Wheelock Street Capital, Stantec serves as this upscale hotel’s design architect and architect of record.

Nora Hotel is the first vertical development in the Nora District. This district is transforming a railroad warehouse area into a bustling mixed-use development, complete with hospitality, retail, and office space, all designed with a focus on the occupants’ health and well-being. The cobblestone streets and curbless sidewalks work their way through lush landscaping and parks to connect pedestrians to the nature around them.

The 215,000-square-foot historic West Palm Beach-inspired hotel will rise five stories with 201 guest rooms and include a spacious parking garage. Amenities will include a rooftop pool deck complete with a restaurant, two bars, lounge area, and poolside cabanas. The ground level will also feature a 5,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, along with a warm and elegant main room, lobby bar, and outdoor garden. The hotel will be home to Pastis—a 13,000-square-foot New York City Parisian-style restaurant with a private dining room and pre-function space ideal for large private gatherings. Gachot Studio provided interior design. 

“We are creating a hotel that will make visitors feel connected to this vibrant, accessible, and luxurious community,” said Elvira Freire-Santamaria, principal at Stantec. “As an appealing destination with exclusive accommodations, Nora Hotel will help drive tourism and support the area’s growing economy.”

Conveniently located near the city’s beautiful downtown and Brightline station, it is designed to be a place for people to live, work, and play. The project is expected to open in the fall of 2026.

Expanding its Miami presence 

Stantec’s Miami office operates as a principal-led, integrated design practice that collaborates across different disciplines throughout the design process to deliver a premier product by solving problems. The firm has a long history of delivering high-quality hospitality, mixed-use, and residential projects throughout South Florida, including AC Hotels Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, Ritz Carlton Residences, La Clara, and Bezel at Miami Worldcenter.