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From beach to boulevard, opulence is becoming Fort Lauderdale’s calling card.

Fort Lauderdale may have once played second string to its glitzier southern sister, Miami, but those days have faded like a beachfront sunset. With a sharp uptick in demand for curated living and lifestyle-first real estate, the city is undergoing a sophisticated transformation—one striking high-rise, luxury resort, and waterfront residence at a time. Three bold new developments—Pier Sixty-Six, Natiivo Fort Lauderdale, and Sage Intracoastal Residences—are ushering in a fresh era for this formerly laid-back coastal town, redefining it as a sought-after destination for investors, world travelers, and refined homeowners alike. Each of these projects reflects a different facet of what Fort Lauderdale is becoming: an enclave where design meets functionality, short-term rental flexibility coexists with five-star service, and nature blends effortlessly with contemporary architecture.

Pier Sixty-Six: The Comeback of a Legend

If any one address captures the city’s evolution, it’s Pier Sixty-Six. A longtime landmark with mid-century bones and a storied past, the property is stepping into the future thanks to a multi-billion-dollar redevelopment by Tavistock Group. The newly reimagined resort officially opens its doors in January 2025 with a 32-acre footprint that unfolds like a love letter to waterfront indulgence.

Gone are the days of vintage Florida kitsch. In its place: 325 rooms and suites designed with coastal elegance, floor-to-ceiling views of the Atlantic, and direct access to a 32,000-square-foot promenade teeming with fine dining, yacht manufacturers, and curated retail. It’s not just a place to stay—it’s a place to be seen.

A standout feature? The Pier Top, the property’s original 17th-floor rotating lounge, is making a comeback, offering 360-degree views, signature cocktails, and a heavy dose of nostalgia served with impeccable service. The Zenova Spa & Wellness, debuting in February 2025, will add a cerebral layer of luxury with its snow room, ceremonial sauna, and other immersive therapies that are equal parts science and sanctuary.

With 88 residential units now available across four newly built buildings—including the Azul and Indigo condominiums— Pier Sixty-Six is also becoming one of the city’s most coveted ownership opportunities, with pricing beginning at $3.85 million. This marks the first time in its 60-year history that Pier Sixty-Six is offering ownership, making it a truly transformative moment in Fort Lauderdale real estate.

Natiivo Fort Lauderdale: Luxe Meets Flexibility

Head inland and a few blocks west to Broward Boulevard, and the view shifts from classic resort to cutting-edge living. Enter Natiivo Fort Lauderdale, a 40-story tower that’s flipping the script on condo ownership by blending luxury design with short-term rental capability. Developed by Newgard Development Group, Natiivo is the city’s first and only residential building fully licensed and built for vacation-style flexibility—without skimping on service or style. That means every unit comes turnkey, fully furnished by design firm IDDI, and packed with premium appliances, high-end finishes, and smart-home technology. The residences—ranging from studios to three-bedrooms—start in the $600,000s and top out at $1.75 million, offering a sweet spot for both investors and snowbirds.

“This is a concept that is so unique in Fort Lauderdale,” said Fort Lauderdale Vice-Mayor Steve Glassman during the unveiling of the Natiivo sales lounge. “We are going to transform Broward Boulevard into the gateway to the city that it should have always been.”

That transformation will be defined by more than just smart economics. Residents will enjoy 45,000 square feet of amenities across indoor and outdoor spaces, including “The Splash,” a rooftop pool; “The Fit,” a spa-style fitness center; and “The Dine,” a signature restaurant. Even the co-working spaces come with elevated design. It’s the kind of hybrid that speaks to today’s global citizen—equal parts entrepreneur, investor, and aesthete.

Sage Intracoastal Residences: A Retreat in the Treetops

While some are drawn to Fort Lauderdale for its flash, others come for its more understated pleasures—sun-drenched terraces, uninterrupted views, and proximity to nature. For them, Sage Intracoastal Residences is the answer. Nestled along 200 feet of the city’s prime waterway and flanked by the protected grounds of the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Sage is a 28-story sanctuary where serenity and design are given equal footing.

With just 44 residences, including an exclusive Penthouse Collection complete with private rooftops and plunge pools, this is ultra-luxury with a more intimate footprint. Interiors are by BAMO, the team behind Four Seasons and Rosewood properties, and include gourmet kitchens with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, Italian cabinetry, and 10-foot ceilings that usher in endless light.

Amenities echo the residence’s tranquil ethos: a waterfront pool, private cabanas, and a wellness spa featuring steam, sauna, and cold plunge options, as well as a movement studio and yoga lawn. Dog walking services and golf simulators round out the offerings for those who want their barefoot luxury with just a hint of leisure sport.

Prices are available upon request, but as with any good secret, it’s not about the price tag—it’s about the experience.

Together, Pier Sixty-Six, Natiivo, and Sage represent a turning point in Fort Lauderdale’s story—one in which it emerges as a true destination for design lovers, tastemakers, and those with an eye for what’s next. 

Pier Sixty-Six, Natiivo, and Sage

This is Fort Lauderdale’s new chapter, and it’s being written in glass, concrete, salt air, and style.