The Downtowners – Gopal Rajegowda, Executive Vice President with Related Ross
January 30th, 2025
Meet real estate developer Gopal Rajegowda, an executive vice president with Related Ross. He has long been passionate about developing successful destinations that combine world-class design, urban planning, hospitality, arts and culture, experiential retail, food and beverage, and community. With his global experience, he’s uniquely qualified to manage his current projects: the reimagination of CityPlace neighborhood in Downtown West Palm Beach, as well as also leading the development of 360 Rosemary (a Class-A office building); 575 Rosemary (a mixed-use tower that includes luxury residences and retail space); and One Flagler (a Class-A world-class office building located along the Downtown West Palm Beach waterfront). Passionate about his community, Rajegowda serves as a board member of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Chamber of Commerce of The Palm Beaches and Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, and was recently named to the West Palm Beach Mayor’s Taskforce for Racial and Ethnic Equality. He officially began working in Downtown West Palm Beach in 2016.
What do you like most about being in Downtown West Palm Beach?
I like that it is walkable, connected, vibrant and a great place to raise a family. The Brightline stop at the north end of the CityPlace District is a game-changer — because it connects us to virtually all of South Florida. I’m also inspired by all of the new public art around the Downtown District. Our company has been driving major public art installations in Downtown, with seven major works installed over the last nine years. Our most recent installation in collaboration with the City of West Palm Beach and Fred Eversley at the Julian Abele Park at One Flagler is a great example of how a reimagined accessible public space with world-class sculpture can create a special, transformative area for us all.
What do you do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach?
My wife and our 3-year-old son enjoy walking through Downtown, relaxing in public parks, dining at restaurants and visiting cultural facilities. We love the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. I also enjoy an active lifestyle, which includes practicing yoga, running and cycling with friends. I feel like we live in a tropical paradise.
How has Downtown West Palm Beach evolved since you’ve been here?
The biggest post-pandemic change is how young professionals and young families have embraced the area. The cultural, dining and entertaining scenes have been transformed and that includes the work Related Ross has done reimagining CityPlace over the last eight years. I predict more companies will move here and more people will want to live, work and play Downtown. The more Downtown gets developed, the more viable that retail, restaurants and cultural institutions will be, further shaping the personality of Downtown West Palm Beach.