Latest news with #Trantalis
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Taller and taller towers in pipeline waiting to join Fort Lauderdale's skyline
Downtown Fort Lauderdale is growing up and up and up — literally. A construction boom that began a decade ago has dramatically changed the city's skyline. You can see all the shiny new skyscrapers from the air. And you can see them from the ground. The fast-paced building might have hit a slowdown, but there are plenty more projects still in the pipeline. Consider this: One plan calls for a tower as tall as 54 stories and 600 feet, setting a new bar as the tallest building in town. Other developers are planning towers nearly as tall. One would be 50 stories. Two more would be 48. Another two would be 47. And so on. Some say they miss the old Fort Lauderdale. But all that development is the fruit of a seed planted decades ago. In other words, the construction boom is just what city leaders wanted to see happen downtown, says Mayor Dean Trantalis. Thirty years ago, builders looking to invest in Fort Lauderdale tended to gravitate to the beach, he says. That was before the city came up with a new master plan to court development downtown. 'All the incentives we provided to developers little by little made its way into a thriving downtown urban experience,' Trantalis says. 'It's become a magnet for a new energy and a new generation that has discovered Fort Lauderdale. What we're seeing today is the fulfillment of the community agenda that was established 20 years ago.' Here's a breakdown of some of the more high-profile projects in the pipeline for downtown Fort Lauderdale. The list comes from the city's website, which was last updated in January 2025. Some details, including project names, might have changed after the list was created. Some projects have not yet been named so are identified by their address. 315 NE Third Number of stories: 54 Features: 607 residential units, 3,727 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 315 NE Third St. Status: Under review and awaiting approval Nautica Residences and Hotel Number of stories: 50 (condo tower), 39 (rental apartment tower), 32 (hotel) Features: 695 residential units, 155 hotel rooms, 34,450 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 90-slip marina Address: 400 SW Third Ave. Status: Approved and waiting to break ground 203 NE Third Number of stories: 48 Features: 429 residential units, 2,711 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 203 NE Third St. Status: Under review and awaiting approval 300 W. Broward Number of stories: 48 Features: 956 residential units, 23,818 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 300 W. Broward Blvd. Status: Approved and waiting to break ground (Photo courtesy of Ombelle Residences Fort Lauderdale)Brooklyn-based developer Dependable Equities is launching Ombelle Fort Lauderdale, a 43-story luxury condominium offering 775 turn-key residences and over 11,000 and square feet of ground floor retail. (Photo courtesy of Ombelle Residences Fort Lauderdale) (Photo courtesy of Ombelle Residences Fort Lauderdale)Brooklyn-based developer Dependable Equities is launching Ombelle Fort Lauderdale, a 43-story luxury condominium offering 775 turn-key residences and over 11,000 and square feet of ground floor retail. Photo courtesy of Ombelle Residences Fort Lauderdale) ODA Architects, New York / Dependable Equities/CourtesyRendering of the proposed dual tower residential project, Ombelle, which would rise to 493 feet in Flagler Village in Fort Lauderdale. Designed for young professionals, the high rises would be among the city's tallest with 1,100 rental apartment units and a 75,000-square-foot amenity deck on the 10th floor. ODA Architects, New York / Dependable Equities/CourtesyRendering of the proposed dual tower residential project, Ombelle, which would rise to 493 feet in Flagler Village in Fort Lauderdale. Designed for young professionals, the high rises would be among the city's tallest with 1,100 rental apartment units and a 75,000-square-foot amenity deck on the 10th floor. The Searstown site has a new developer and a new design. Denver-based Aimco bought the property for $100 million and plans to build two 30-story towers and one 21-story tower. A parking podium connecting the towers will contain offices and be topped by a deck with three pools and a gym. (Stantec Architecture Inc./Courtesy) The Searstown site has a new developer and a new design. Denver-based Aimco bought the property for $100 million and plans to build two 30-story towers and one 21-story tower. A parking podium connecting the towers will contain offices and be topped by a deck with three pools and a gym. (Stantec Architecture Inc./Courtesy) The Searstown site has a new developer and a new design. Denver-based Aimco bought the property for $100 million and plans to build two 30-story towers and one 21-story tower. A parking podium connecting the towers will contain offices and be topped by a deck with three pools and a gym. (Stantec Architecture Inc./Courtesy) Rendering of Nautica Residences and Hotel, a skyhigh three-tower project, will rise near the New River at 400 Southwest Third Avenue under a plan envisioned by developer Asi Cymbal. The plan calls for 560 residential units and a 119-room hotel, a marina with 90 boat slips, a 17,900-square-foot restaurant and a 2,640 square-foot café plus 13,040 square feet of commercial space. (ARQUITECTONICA/Courtesy) Rendering of Nautica Residences and Hotel, a skyhigh three-tower project, will rise near the New River at 400 Southwest Third Avenue under a plan envisioned by developer Asi Cymbal. The plan calls for 560 residential units and a 119-room hotel, a marina with 90 boat slips, a 17,900-square-foot restaurant and a 2,640 square-foot café plus 13,040 square feet of commercial space. (ARQUITECTONICA/Courtesy) Rendering of Nautica Residences and Hotel, a skyhigh three-tower project, will rise near the New River at 400 Southwest Third Avenue under a plan envisioned by developer Asi Cymbal. The plan calls for 560 residential units and a 119-room hotel, a marina with 90 boat slips, a 17,900-square-foot restaurant and a 2,640 square-foot café plus 13,040 square feet of commercial space. (ARQUITECTONICA/Courtesy) Rendering of Nautica Residences and Hotel, a skyhigh three-tower project, will rise near the New River at 400 Southwest Third Avenue under a plan envisioned by developer Asi Cymbal. The plan calls for 560 residential units and a 119-room hotel, a marina with 90 boat slips, a 17,900-square-foot restaurant and a 2,640 square-foot café plus 13,040 square feet of commercial space. (ARQUITECTONICA/Courtesy) Rendering of Nautica Residences and Hotel, a skyhigh three-tower project, will rise near the New River at 400 Southwest Third Avenue under a plan envisioned by developer Asi Cymbal. The plan calls for 560 residential units and a 119-room hotel, a marina with 90 boat slips, a 17,900-square-foot restaurant and a 2,640 square-foot café plus 13,040 square feet of commercial space. (ARQUITECTONICA/Courtesy) FSMY Architects + Planners/CourtesyArtsPark Lofts by Merrimac Ventures is a proposed 30-floor residential tower that would offer 289 apartments in Flagler Village at 407 North Andrews Ave., slightly to the northeast of the downtown Fort Lauderdale Brightline railroad station. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon River neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon River neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon River neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon River neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River. Rendering of the proposed two-tower Raintree Riverwalk Residences in the Tarpon Bend neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale near the New River in Fort Lauderdale. Show Caption(Photo courtesy of Ombelle Residences Fort Lauderdale)1 of 32Brooklyn-based developer Dependable Equities is launching Ombelle Fort Lauderdale, two 43-story luxury condominium towers offering 775 residences and over 11,000 and square feet of ground floor retail. (Photo courtesy of Ombelle Residences Fort Lauderdale)Expand 201 N. Federal Number of stories: 47 Features: 936 residential units, 5,569 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 201 N. Federal Highway Status: Under review and awaiting approval 633 SE Third Ave. Number of stories: 47 Features: 830 residential units, 12,798 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 633 SE Third Ave. Status: Approved and waiting to break ground 525 Andrews Number of stories: 46 Features: 399 residential units, 3,639 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 525 S. Andrews Ave. Status: Approved and waiting to break ground Andare Number of stories: 46 Features: 163 residential units, more than 6,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 521 E. Las Olas Blvd. Status: Under construction 317 N. Federal Highway Number of stories: East tower 45, West tower 42 Features: 716 residential units, 2,613 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 317 N. Federal Highway Status: Under construction DNA Number of stories: South tower 45, North tower 40 Features: 612 residential units, 74,246 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 300 N. Andrews Ave. Status: Approved and waiting to break ground 101 SE Seventh St. Number of stories: 45 Features: 630 residential units, 7,947 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 101 SE Seventh St. Status: Approved and waiting to break ground Riverwalk Residences Number of stories: 43 Features: 295 residential units, 1,600 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 333 N. New River Drive Status: Under construction RD Las Olas (aka Veneto) Number of stories: 43 Features: 259 residential units, 1,970 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 201 S. Federal Highway Status: Under construction 200 Third Number of stories: 43 Features: 388 residential units, 2,628 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 200 NE 3 St. Status: Approved and waiting to break ground Ombelle Number of stories: 43 Features: 959 residential units, 11,405 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 300 NE Third Ave. Status: Approved and waiting to break ground 200 W. Broward Number of stories: 40 Features: 375 hotel rooms, 10,059 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 200 W. Broward Blvd. Status: Approved and waiting to break ground The Link Number of stories: 40 Features: 392 residential units, 8,874 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 105 NW Third Ave. Status: Under review and awaiting approval FAT Village East Number of stories: 24 Features: 355 residential units, 43,355 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 21 NW Fifth St. Status: Under construction FAT Village West Number of stories: 13 Features: 504 residential units, 26,040 square feet of retail and restaurant space Address: 501 NW First Ave. Status: Under construction Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@ Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Developer promised to build food hall on city land. Fort Lauderdale still waiting 3 years later.
Critics called it a bad deal on steroids. Fort Lauderdale turned pricey public land worth $35 million over to a private developer for 50 years on the promise he would build a towering food hall along with a park and concert venue. The deal, slammed by some residents as a land giveaway, gave developer Jeff John rights to the property for 50 years, with an option for two 25-year extensions. That was three years ago, after the controversial plan got a thumbs up from City Hall. Now some are wondering whether the $100 million project is ever going to break ground — including Mayor Dean Trantalis. 'I think the (developer has) still been working to secure financing,' Trantalis said. 'We've never gotten a site plan or any kind of development proposal. This is disappointing that I even have to bring this up. I was hoping it would be completed by now.' John, CEO of Damn Good Hospitality Group, and his attorney, Stephanie Toothaker, could not be reached for comment. Known as the One Stop Shop site, the 3.3-acre site was once home to the city's One Stop Shop permitting office. The building was torn down six years ago after sitting empty for more than a decade. Today, the parcel at 301 N. Andrews Ave. remains fenced off, waiting for the project to break ground. If the project were in limbo with no hope of breaking ground, Trantalis said the city would likely look into terminating the agreement. 'I asked the city manager and city attorney to look at the agreement to see if it has been violated in any way,' Trantalis said. 'If certain milestones have not been achieved, we need to terminate the agreement.' Commissioner Ben Sorensen agreed. 'If this is not moving forward quickly, we need to go in a different direction,' Sorensen said. 'We need to look at all options. But I want to see where we stand contractually and what progress the (developer) is making in moving things forward.' Commissioner Steve Glassman, whose district includes Flagler Village, said he'd like to give the developer more time before calling it a day. 'I recently met with the development team and have been assured that all systems are go,' he said. 'I am not in favor of terminating the agreement.' When he voted in favor of the comprehensive agreement in March 2022, Glassman said he had high hopes the project would open by the end of 2024. John, whose restaurant and club ventures include Revolution Live in downtown Fort Lauderdale, pitched the idea to the city in June 2020 through an unsolicited proposal. John told commissioners he planned to build a tree-lined park bigger than a football field; a soundproofed concert hall large enough for 1,800 people, but with only 180 seats; and a high-end European style food market with specialty restaurants. 'We need more nightlife,' John said at the time. 'We need more music events. This city is so bright, it's so vibrant. And I want to give the people of South Florida a unique, iconic experience.' The concert hall would rise 60 feet — equal to six stories — and offer at least 250 shows a year. The eight-story marketplace would rise 160 feet, the equivalent of 16 stories. The food hall would stretch across three floors that open onto an atrium. A fourth floor would be an open-air space used for atrium dining. The top four floors would be reserved for private events. Neighbors in Flagler Village worried the concert venue and marketplace would disrupt their sleep with late-night noise. Others said the city would come to regret turning over the land to a developer whose project might never take off. Under the comprehensive agreement, Fort Lauderdale would collect no money in the first year after the cultural center is built. The city would collect $250,000 in the second year, $500,000 in the third year, $750,000 in the fourth year, $1 million in the fifth year, $1.25 million in the sixth year and $1.5 million by year seven. After that, the payments would increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index, but with a 3% cap. If the developer made no money, neither would the city. After commissioners approved the deal in March 2022, Toothaker told them her client's next order of business would be to seek financing. Once that was in place, John and his team would be back with a site plan, Toothaker said. Commissioners asked when that might be, but Toothaker couldn't say. One person who says she is not at all surprised by the lack of progress is LeAnn Barber, a leading critic of the project and former president of the Flagler Village Civic Association. 'I still have the T-shirt that says, 'It's a Damn Bad Deal,'' Barber said. 'It doesn't surprise me that they haven't broken ground, especially now with (President) Trump's tariffs. I think everything is going to be thrown into a tizzy. I think development is going to stop and for the next couple years it's going to be a rollercoaster, with a lot of resettling and hunkering down.' Entrepreneurs and developers nowadays are finding it harder to get financing nationwide, even in high-growth states like Florida, said Siri Terjesen, a business professor at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. 'Commercial real estate in most places in this country is utterly devastated,' Terjesen said. 'You've had a lot of banks fail in the last couple years.' As for whether the city would be able to extricate itself from a land deal, Terjesen had this response: 'Any time local or state resources are underutilized in Florida, there is now a DOGE Florida task force that can address lost revenues and opportunities thanks to Gov. DeSantis. That's how I would answer that. This is one of many examples across the state where government resources are underutilized.' In 2022, Glassman defended the project in the days before it won commission approval. 'They have to show us proof of financing within 90 days of the signoff of the comprehensive agreement,' he told the Sun Sentinel at the time. 'In this market, we're not going to have a white elephant. We put in the agreement that this has to be completed in three years. If it's not done, we take it over. We own it.' Trantalis told the Sun Sentinel this week that none of those milestones have been reached. 'It calls into question the viability of the project, at least at that site,' the mayor said. 'There might be another site that works for them. We need to find out if they still feel the vision they had for creating a new entertainment venue and food hall is a project they can achieve.' Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@ Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan
CBS News
24-03-2025
- CBS News
Spring break surges in South Florida as tourists flock to Fort Lauderdale
Spring break is in full swing across South Florida and early signs indicate a surge in tourism, particularly in Fort Lauderdale. According to AAA booking data, both Fort Lauderdale and Miami rank among the top 10 spring break destinations this year. Visit Lauderdale, the official tourism agency for Greater Fort Lauderdale, said overnight stays are seeing a notable increase, fueled in part by social media trends. For many young travelers, viral posts have played a major role in choosing Fort Lauderdale as their destination. "It's all over social media," said Luke, a college student from Michigan. "Really? Everyone's talking about Fort Lauderdale on social media?" CBS News Miami asked. "Everybody is, especially TikTok," added Brian, another Michigan college student. From ocean views to lively beachside attractions, students said they're drawn to the vibrant atmosphere. "We're having a good time so far," Brian said. "A lot of stuff around here to do—the strip, a bunch of restaurants and bars." Even high school seniors from colder states are taking advantage of the warm weather before heading to college. "All the spring breakers, all the kids," said Kayla, visiting from Michigan. "It's definitely popular," added her friend Lilly. "Walking the beach, going to the shops, going downtown." Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said this year's crowds far exceed those of recent years, with visitors filling beaches, restaurants and hotels. "The message got out there and the weather's been great," Trantalis said. With thousands more visitors, the city has ramped up police presence and first responders to ensure safety while businesses reap the benefits. "It's an investment in our community," Trantalis emphasized. "It's an investment in tourism." Meanwhile, Miami Beach has imposed restrictions on spring break crowds, a move Fort Lauderdale businesses said has sent even more visitors their way. "South of us, they have really encouraged spring breakers not to come," said Amy Faulkner, Director of Sales for The Atlantic Hotel & Spa. "We thank you. We really have been benefiting." Faulkner said the hotel is completely booked for spring break and Easter for the first time since the pandemic. Visit Lauderdale reports that hotel demand is up compared to last year, though the full economic impact of the season won't be known until after spring break ends.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fort Lauderdale mayor says he's still open to building twin tunnels to the beach
FORT LAUDERDALE: You might think the far-fetched idea of twin tunnels whisking Tesla passengers from downtown to the beach might be dead. You would be wrong, Mayor Dean Trantalis says. The long-hyped underground tunnels were to be built by tech billionaire Elon Musk's Boring Company for an estimated $100 million. Many assumed the city pulled the plug two years ago when Fort Lauderdale commissioners delayed paying The Boring Company $375,000 to determine whether the twin tunnels could work in flood-prone South Florida. According to the mayor, the idea was suspended, but can be revisited at any time. A previous commission was opposed 3-2 with moving forward with the plan to build Tesla tunnels below Las Olas Boulevard. But now that the city's November elections are over, Trantalis says there might be a change of heart. 'With the election past us, we can always revisit the idea,' he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. 'But we need to do more neighborhood outreach and get more specific data from The Boring Company. We need to see if they're still interested in fully funding the project as they had originally proposed.' The Boring Company could not be reached for comment. Musk, founder of the Boring Company along with Tesla and SpaceX, now has a high-profile role running President Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency, which is trying to reduce the federal workforce and spending. So far, Fort Lauderdale has spent $50,000 on the proposal, paying The Boring Company by check in February 2023. Musk got the mayor's attention four years ago when he posted a tweet saying road tunnels under Miami would solve help traffic gridlock. Trantalis tweeted back, saying Fort Lauderdale has tunnel vision and would love to be part of the discussion. The following month, Trantalis flew to Las Vegas to look into the possibility of building tunnels in Fort Lauderdale. By mid-2021, Fort Lauderdale received an unsolicited proposal from Musk's firm to design and build an underground tunnel system. Critics lampooned the plan early on, saying it would do nothing to relieve the city's worsening gridlock. One of those critics, longtime resident John Roth, told the Sun Sentinel he was under the impression the idea had died a slow death. 'The only reason you use a tunnel is if you have a mountain to get through or a river,' he said. 'It doesn't make sense for the city. Putting the exit portal at Las Olas and A1A would create a huge traffic jam. And it's already jammed up now.' Vice Mayor Steve Glassman said he also thought the plan had vanished into thin air. 'I know it was dead with the prior commission,' he said. 'I just figured that was done.' Glassman said he was willing to revisit the plan as long as The Boring Company agreed to foot the bill. 'The last I heard they offered to do it at no cost to the city,' he said. 'That's when I had my most interest, when it no longer became an expense to the city. But let's have that discussion. The prior City Commission was 3-2 against having that discussion. This new commission is much pro-tunnel.' Commissioners Pamela Beasley-Pittman and John Herbst both said two years ago they were not willing to spend one more dime on researching the viability of the project. Neither could be reached for comment. Warren Sturman, who lost his commission seat to rival Ben Sorensen in November, sided with Beasley-Pittman and Herbst in 2023. With Sturman out and Sorensen in, some are wondering whether he might be open to a tunnel to the beach. 'Right now, the only tunnel I'm focused on is the New River Crossing tunnel,' Sorensen said, referring to the tunnel Fort Lauderdale hopes the county will build to get commuter trains across the downtown river. 'I'm happy to hear any updates or ideas someone might have. But I'm focused on the commuter rail tunnel.' Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@ Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan
