From David Volz
Nearly six years ago, brothers Jonathan and Abraham Fish shared a bold vision with Fort Lauderdale commissioner Steve Glassman to transform a forgotten stretch of warehouses in Progresso Village into a dynamic destination for art, culture, and community.
In early March, Glassman and other community leaders celebrated the Grand Opening of Thrive Art District, a 5.3-acre creative campus that pulses with color, energy and entrepreneurship.
“This transformation did not happen overnight. It is the result of strong public-private partnership and long-term investment in creative placemaking, and I am incredibly proud of our City’s role as a partner and collaborator in bringing this vision to life,” said Glassman “Since this project’s inception, the Northwest Progresso Flagler Heights CRA has contributed $3.9 million, while the Fish brothers have invested to date approximately $15 million into bringing Thrive to life,”
Now Thrive stands as a vibrant economic and cultural corridor, with more than 80,000 square feet of storefronts, restaurants, wellness spaces, and creative studios coming together to form a true arts campus.
The momentum is real: from Uncommon Path Brewing and Obsidian Coffee to Alma Matcha, Pulse Fitness, Connect Record Shop, Casa De Kava, Gigi’s Bridal, and Yogithot Studio, entrepreneurs, artists, and small businesses are choosing Thrive as their home. With additional shops continuing to open, this district is evolving in real time as a hub for creativity, wellness, and culture. But Thrive is not just a place, it is a movement.
Art walks, mural tours, yoga sessions, fitness events drawing hundreds of attendees, live music, workshops, car shows, exhibitions, and community festivals are transforming Progresso Village into one of Fort Lauderdale’s most exciting cultural destinations. Through Thrive District Experiences and artist-led buggy tours, visitors can explore murals, meet creators, and even participate in hands-on graffiti classes, turning spectators into participants.
This diverse group of visionaries is truly world class. Artists like Hilton Alves, internationally recognized for his powerful, luminous wave paintings and his iconic 101 perfect waves series;Nargiza, whose murals radiate peace and precision; Bisco Smith, known for his rhythmic, music-inspired abstract expressionism; Nicole Salgar, whose multimedia work explores culture and imagination; and Marcus “Grabster” Borges, celebrated for his bold geometric murals, are just a few of the extraordinary talents whose work fills this district with meaning and motion. Their work tells stories of culture, identity, imagination, and community, reinforcing that public art is not just decorative, it is transformative.
“Championing the arts has been a lifelong calling for me. From my work as an educator to my time with the Broward County Cultural Division, I have seen how creativity can transform lives, strengthen neighborhoods, and shape the cultural soul of a city,” said Glassman.
