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Haitian-born developer Randolph Voyard wants to build 31-Story Art Mall call "TapTapCity" in Lauderhill, Florida

LAUDERHILL: Drawing board: 31-story art mall

A developer wants to build a cultural center in Lauderhill, hoping to turn the city into an international tourist spot.

Posted on Sun, Dec. 10, 2006

A Haitian-born developer has a $107 million vision for an art-friendly mall that he says could transform Lauderhill into a cultural destination.

The 31-story, 340,000-square-foot center would have a theater, museum, garden and spots to showcase virtually any art form, along with eateries and designer boutiques.

Developer Randolph Voyard, who speaks French, Spanish and Portuguese, models his concept after similar projects in Europe and the Caribbean.

''It's what we call a cultural mall as opposed to traditional shopping mall,'' said Voyard, describing the project as ``a constant trade show of art and artistry, culinary arts and fashion.''

Voyard says he is already in talks with curators in Europe, Africa and Asia to exchange collections with his museum in the project, which is slated for a three-acre spot on the northeast corner of Sunrise Boulevard and U.S. 441.

The site is near the planned Central Broward Regional Park, which is slated to have soccer fields, a water park, football and international-level cricket fields.

The mall, to be called TapTap City, has not yet come before the city commission for approval.

Voyard plans on Monday to bring an architect, artist and scientist from Europe to make his pitch for the project to the city. Commissioners will discuss it at a workshop on Tuesday.

Already, one elected city official is singing the project's praises.

''I think that it will change the image of Lauderhill,'' said Vice Mayor Dale V.C. Holness. ``Lauderhill will be, I'm hoping, the cultural center of Broward County.''

Village of the Creole Cultures Corp., a firm dedicated to investing in artistic and cultural development, has proposed the cultural mall as part of the project for a village dubbed ''Carishoca,'' short for Caribbean showcase.

The village project, being developed by Amera Broward Central, is expected to include a hotel, shops, restaurants, stores and an international business center.

Voyard, at the helm of VCCC, has proposed a 79,000-square foot cultural center with an American Creole Museum, a performing arts center and a library.

Designer boutiques, art galleries, a ballroom and a wellness center would occupy 126,000 square feet. That would include 15 eateries, ''from upscale restaurants to finger food,'' and a number of spaces to watch artists at work.

Voyard also sees a botanical garden on the site, equipped with labs for students, and 40 apartments on the top floors of the buildings for international artists and performers to stay.

Holness said the center could serve as an ''economic engine'' for the city.

''It will tie in very strongly with the concept we have for revitalizing and creating a renaissance in Lauderhill,'' Holness said.