The Clematis District, which has experienced a significant resurgence during the past 18 months with the addition of more than 30 new businesses, will welcome three new high-profile projects this Fall, all located in the building on the corner of Clematis Street and Olive Avenue. The businesses are Clematis Social, a small plates-focused restaurant and nightspot; Michele Pommier Management, a Miami-based modeling agency; and Monarchy, a sleek New York City-style nightclub co-owned by internationally known DJ Skribble. The 50,000-sq.-ft. building, which is owned by South Florida attorney Bill Weisman, includes Forté di Asprinio, Dr. Feelgood’s and Lost Weekend.

Located at 223 Clematis Street, Clematis Social is a 4,800-sq.-ft. restaurant featuring an extensive menu of affordable small plates, a fast-growing nationwide trend that fosters sharing and social interaction over a selection of multiple dishes and ethnic flavors throughout the meal. The project, which will open on Nov. 28, 2008, is owned by one of Florida’s most successful restaurateurs, Burt Rapoport, president of Boca Raton, Fla.-based Rapoport's Restaurant Group, Inc. His company owns and operates Opus 5, Bogart’s Bar and Grille and Henry’s.

“With a nationwide shift to more budget-conscious dining and shared experiences, we’re eager to bring this innovative concept to the Clematis District,” said Rapoport, a third-generation restaurateur who orchestrated the opening of My Martini on Clematis Street in the late 1990s. “While small-plates focused restaurants are immensely popular in cities such as L.A., N.Y.C. and Chicago, we noticed an opportunity to fill a gap in our market. We must have been right… people keep coming to the restaurant to ask when we’re opening.”

With more than 160 seats and a 30-seat bar, Clematis Social will offer patrons a comfortable yet stylish atmosphere – think chic neighborhood restaurant – that will be designed by Adolfo Galvez and will include hardwood, oxidized metals, and trendy, black-colored appointments. Galvez designed Rapoport’s acclaimed Opus 5 in Boca Raton as well as Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, a popular Mexican restaurant on Clematis Street.

Open every day for lunch and dinner through the late night, the menu will be broad, offering patrons an international array of dishes at affordable price points. Menu items include chicken spring rolls, super deluxe crab nachos, sesame-seared sashimi-grade tuna, and small and large portions of fresh-made salads. Special sections on the menu are devoted to fresh-baked flatbreads, an assortment of sliders, “chips, dips, breads and spreads,” and an eclectic range of eggs Benedict dishes available after 10 p.m. The restaurant will also offer desserts in individual and sharing-size portions. The bar selection features specialty cocktails, including the “Clematis by Night” cosmo and Palm Beach lemonade, as well as the scorpion bowl, a 42-ounce cocktail referred to as the “mother of all drinks.” Wine, beer and homemade sangria are also available. The average lunch tab will be about $12 and the average dinner tab $19.

For more information, visit www.clematissocial.com or call 561-655-6520.

Michele Pommier, one of best known names in the modeling industry around the world, has opened a development center at 221 Clematis Street, Suite 400. Pommier, who has anchored the Miami modeling scene for nearly 30 years, has worked with an impressive roster of talent including actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones and Charlize Theron, and discovered world-renowned supermodels Christy Turlington and Elsa Benitez. A pioneer in the South Florida modeling industry, Pommier opened her first location in 1979 before South Beach exploded in popularity.

“The momentum Downtown right now is invigorating. Just like when we opened in South Beach, we immediately recognized here that Clematis is poised for growth and offers that real energy and excitement that’s so hard to find,” Pommier said. “We look forward to bringing even more glamour and style to the neighborhood!”

Pommier sold her Miami Beach modeling business in 2000, and later re-opened in 2003 a smaller boutique modeling agency, also located on Miami Beach. The more intimate structure of the boutique enables the staff to work closely with models to help them advance their careers. The new Clematis location will focus on the development of new models. Always in search of the next fresh face, Pommier plans to scout in the West Palm Beach area and host regular model searches and fashion shows at nearby Clematis District establishments.

For more information, visit www.michelepommier.com.

Located at 221 Clematis Street on the second floor above Clematis Social, Monarchy Nightclub is destined to become a favorite for Manhattan transplants and the hip South Florida scene. A powerful partnership between South Florida nightlife visionaries Cleve Mash and Rodney Mayo, co-owners of Dr. Feelgood’s, and DJ Skribble, recently named one of the country’s Top 3 DJs by DJ Times Magazine, the nightclub will evoke the feel of a trendy NYC-style nightclub and will have a significant focus on the music. Skribble, a former MTV DJ who since 1980 has worked with everyone from Young Black Teenagers and Busta’ Rhymes to Madonna and Wyclef John, will spin at Monarchy on average twice a month. He currently does about 300 shows a year.

“While Monarchy undoubtedly will be gorgeous, our goal when developing the concept was to focus on the quality of the music, which is the core element of a successful nightclub,” said Mash. “DJ Skribble adds a dynamic, important addition to Monarchy. While many new nightclubs are solely investing in pricey décor, we’re paying considerable attention to bringing in nationally renowned DJs to spin the latest house and dance music.”

The owners have completely transformed the 6,000-sq.-ft. space, which was a MAC Fabric warehouse in the 1980s. In addition to a large balcony overlooking Clematis Street, Monarchy will have a loft-inspired design featuring oversized couches, dramatic chandeliers and candelabras, purple velvet curtains and black slate floors. The nightclub, which will serve a full array of liquor, wine and beer, will have several bars including one 50-ft. long and private VIP booths. Monarchy will open at 9:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

During the past 18 months, the Clematis District has welcomed more than 30 new businesses, including Forté di Asprinio, Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, Dr. Feelgood’s Rock Bar and Grill, Pistache, Lost Weekend, Nature’s Way, Café Clematis, Phat Sandwiches and More, Maine Cottage, This N That of West Palm Beach and Afrocenter.

For more information about Downtown West Palm Beach and the DDA’s incentive programs, contact the DDA at (561) 833-8873 or www.westpalmbeachdda.com.

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About the Downtown Development Authority

The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.