Styx Alley
West Palm Beach, FL
REDEVELOPMENT/COMMERCIAL
"Architecture in historical redevelopment is a delicate dance: honoring the echoes of the past while crafting spaces that resonate with the aspirations of the present and gracefully embrace the future."
Styx Alley is a transformative redevelopment in West Palm Beach’s Historic Northwest District that honors the legacy of “The Styx,” a historically Black community originally located in Palm Beach. The project was developed on behalf of the CRA of West Palm Beach to revitalize a deteriorated city block along 7th street. The approach included providing new vehicular and pedestrian access along the south side of the property called Styx's Alley and separating the remaining block into five lots. The 1st lot along the west side would include a historically refurbished shot gun structure that was moved to this location and supported on new piers. The other four adjacent lots would have two structures per lot that included a vernacular shotgun style that aligns with the historic restoration on 7th street and four more new contemporary styles that align along the Styx's alley side. Both structures are connected with a central elevated walkway that links the historical side conceptually to the area's cultural heritage and to the modern side expressing transcendence and progress.
Beyond its architectural significance, Styx Alley fosters local economic growth by curating a row of Black-owned and minority-owned businesses to activate the site. These include a bakery, flower shop, wine bar, and bookstore—collectively forming the “Styx Promenade.” Through this thoughtful blend of preservation, design, and entrepreneurship, the project celebrates history while building a vibrant, community-centered future.
