42 Story Condo Slated for
Hyde Park Market Site
Las Olas Boulevard, Downtown Fort Lauderdale

This artist's rendering, provided by Related Group, shows the proposed Hyde Park Market Site building on the far right.  Las Olas Grand, Water Garden and Las Olas River House are the other towers from right to left.

Details are slowly being revealed for a 42 story luxury condominium on the site of the long-closed Hyde Park Market in the best location possible on Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale. 

Even after the Planning and Zoning Board had approved this project, a group brought suit to force the plans to be reviewed by the largely symbolic Historic Preservation Board. 

As of a September 27, a judge has thrown out that last ditch effort to derail this project. 

Next and hopefully last stop in the approval process: vote for approval by the full city commission,  perhaps later this year.

The city's efforts to purchase the property at 500 East Las Olas Blvd for a park have long since failed. 

The April 15, 2005 Sun-Sentinel reports that the latest is a plan for 272 luxury residences starting at around $400,000.  The tower will stand 455 feet tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in Broward County.  It will be "Forty-two stories of sleek glass, concrete and steel, with a swimming pool on top" according to the news report, and include 409 parking spaces for residents. 

The latest word on design added details that it will be a four-fronted, football shaped building, with a ground level of stores and restaurants, and a pool on the eighth floor, a hot tub on the roof.

It was designed with an "abundant use of glass, stucco and aluminum" that help link it visually to the tower that rivals it in height, the 42-story, 452-foot, slightly shorter River House condo several blocks to the west.

The name of the project has not yet been released, but we do know that it is a project of the Related Group, a well respected developer, responsible for Aquazul and Las Olas Beach Club among other noteworthy condominiums in Fort Lauderdale.  In Miami this dynamic private company has quite  literally changed the skyline, pioneering the downtown condominium movement while creating pedestrian friendly environments.  According to the Miami Herald (04/18/05), Related's stated 2004 revenue of over $2 billion. 

This project has been delayed for years because of legal wrangling over the proximity of the site to historic Stranahan House, one of the oldest structures in the area and a vestige of the city's past.  It once served as as a post office, bank, trading post, town hall and home to Frank Stranahan and Ivy Cromartie, two names central to local history. 

This artist's rendering shows the new condo tower next to historic Stranahan House.  An alternate rendering allows for a mural on a historic theme on the wall facing the landmark house.  Images provided by the Related Group.  The tower in the background is Las Olas Grand.

As of a recent settlement with the City of Fort Lauderdale, the developer will add this 42 story tower along with public space and "an eight-story historic mural, photograph or mosaic" on the wall facing the historic landmark according to the news report. 

Related Group has taken remarkable steps to preserve or improve the character of the areas surrounding their buildings, including purchasing land across from Aquazul for a Botanical Garden and lighted tennis courts.   In developing Las Olas Beach Club, they retained the facade of the historic Lauderdale Beach Hotel, incorporating it into the design of the new structure. 

The proposed building on the Hyde Park Market site has been designed by Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership of Miami.  The redeveloped site will  include a public plaza on Las Olas Boulevard in front of the Stranahan House, which will make the landmark visible and part of an attractive public space. 

Considering this, I expect they will handle the sensitivity of their historic neighbor appropriately and the objections by those opposed to the loss of "quaint old Fort Lauderdale" will prove to be unfounded. 

Email Andy now for more news from the Sun-Sentinel on plans for the 42-story tower planned for the Hyde Park Market Site. 

From Riverwalk, this artist's rendering shows the landscaped pedestrian-friendly south base of the tower along the New River with historic Stranahan House on the right.

And watch this website for news on new construction in Fort Lauderdale as the plans unfold. 

 

New Construction information on this website is not paid advertising.  I am not the exclusive agent for this developer.  I do not simply reiterate developer's press releases.  What you read on AndyWeiser.com is independent information, drawn from press reports and other public records as well as talking with insiders after reviewing the developer's materials.  I hope you find it helpful, objective and authoritative.  E-mail me and I will be happy to further assist you in purchasing as you consider new construction in our area.     Information on this page is very preliminary.  The seller reserves the absolute right, in its sole judgment and discretion to substitute appliances, materials, fixtures and equipment.  Dimensions, features and images in artist's representations are subject to change without notice.  All dimensions are furnished by the developer and are approximate.  The size, dimensions and layout of each residence are subject to architectural, structural and other changes as recommended by the architect, contractor, developer or as required by law.  Floor Plans are subject to change without notice.  Furnishings where used in illustrations  are for artistic purposes only.  Ask for a standard Features and Amenities List for residence features.   Information presented here is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of September 23, 2005  Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.