Latest news with #JeffreySoffer
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Fontainebleau Miami Beach is adding a huge water park to its revamped outdoor pool area
Miami Beach's most iconic resort is about to make a big splash—literally. The legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach, forever synonymous with poolside glamour and celebrity swagger, is gearing up for a bold reinvention. The Fontainebleau will go family-friendly with a water park that will reimagine the outdoor deck to feature 11 waterslides (one will soar to a vertigo-inducing 120 feet), separate play zones for kids and adults, five new pools, two hot tubs and upgraded restaurant and bar spaces. That massive water slide might be the headline grabber, but the overhaul is more than a water park. There will soon be cabanas with TVs and lockers, poolside bars and reimagined programming that blurs the line between beach chic and family entertainment. It's a strategic pivot. Miami Beach has long leaned into its 'party capital' rep, but community leaders are quietly nudging everyone toward a broader, more inclusive identity. Fontainebleau, with its heritage and heft, is leading that charge. 'This is a milestone moment for Fontainebleau Miami Beach and our vision for what a modern resort destination can be,' Jeffrey Soffer, chairman and CEO of Fontainebleau Development, said in a statement. 'With the addition of these new attractions and amenities, we are creating a fully integrated, large-scale family-focused experience unlike any other in the region.' An application has been submitted to the Historic Preservation Board for the renovation. The Fountainbleau will continue greeting guests and providing the same high level of hospitality we've come to expect during construction, which is set to kick off in early 2026 with a 2027 completion goal. Soon, South Beach will see a reinvigorated Fontainebleau, one that has evolved to meet the times. Picture a playground for both the kid who's discovering the thrill of a waterslide and the adult who's ordering mudslides at the cabana. Designed by architect Morris Lapidus and first opened in 1954, the Fontainebleau is pure old-school Miami glamour. Sinatra crooned there, Elvis lounged there, the Kennedys vacationed there and films from Goldfinger to Scarface have included it. Its 'staircase to nowhere' is as famous as the ocean views. It's not just a hotel—it's a piece of Miami's glossy, star-studded history, still serving the drama decades later. The latest incarnation may take a couple of years to arrive, but when it does, Fontainebleau's poolscape could well reset expectations for families, sun-seekers, and the city itself.
Forbes
06-08-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Fontainebleau Development Unveils Miami Beach's First Large-Scale, Family-Friendly Water Attraction
Fontainebleau Miami Beach is set to redefine family-friendly entertainment in South Florida with a sweeping redevelopment of its iconic pool deck. Construction begins in 2026. Fontainebleau Development Fontainebleau Miami Beach's 11 pools, which include the iconic bowtie to the adults-only Arkadia, have long been defining focal points of the resort. Soon, its surrounding areas will be reimagined with new pools, slides, water features, entertainment, and expanded food and drink options, marking the city's first large-scale, family-friendly water attraction. 'This is a milestone moment for Fontainebleau Miami Beach and our vision for what a modern resort destination can be,' says Jeffrey Soffer, chairman and CEO of Fontainebleau Development, the real estate development and hospitality group that owns and operates the Fontainebleau Hotels, in a statement. 'With the addition of these new attractions and amenities, we are creating a fully integrated, large-scale family-focused experience unlike any other in the region.' The redevelopment builds on Soffer's vision of blending timeless design with modern amenities—now expanding to include family-friendly features. 'Today's guests are looking for more than a place to stay—they're seeking dynamic, multigenerational experiences that create lasting memories,' shares Brett Mufson, President of Fontainebleau Development, in an exclusive interview with Forbes. 'This large-scale expansion gives us the opportunity to deliver just that. We also recognize the need for family-friendly offerings as we are seeing more and more residents living in the city year-round. There is a need for places that locals can visit with the entire family and, as one of the largest ocean-front properties in the city, Fontainebleau is perfectly situated to deliver this unique offering.' The expansion also hopes to drive job creation across construction, hospitality, and operations, and enhance the region's position as a tourism destination. A rendering of the elevated pool deck Fontainebleau Development In addition to the new pools and water facilities, they will also be upgrading the cabanas, lounges and poolside programming. 'The redevelopment also includes food and beverage experiences that complement our existing offerings—like La Côte and our three signature bars—as well as new entertainment activations tailored for guests of all ages,' adds Mufson. Regular Miami visitors may already be familiar with the Tidal Cove Water Park at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura, which was also developed by the group. 'While Fontainebleau Miami Beach will offer a different experience—rooted in the resort's legacy and beachfront setting—it will carry the same design philosophy: luxury, fun, and hospitality all in one place,' adds Mufson. The reimagined Arkadia Pool Fontainebleau Development Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with the opening date still being finalized. Guests staying at or visiting the property during this period won't need to worry about any disruptions. 'The resort will remain fully operational throughout the construction phase, including continued access to the pool and beach,' Mufson assures. 'We've carefully phased the redevelopment to minimize disruptions and protect the guest experience.' A rendering of the enhanced pool experience Fontainebleau Development
