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The Future is Now for FATVillage

By Max Crampton-Thomas

 

3 min read August 2019 — Fort Lauderdale’s FATVillage makes up for what it lacks in size with a treasure trove of arts, cultural and technological offerings. Founded in the late 1990s by Doug McCraw, the four-block historic warehouse district has developed into an arts hub to rival the most established arts districts in South Florida. While the area was originally founded as a way to rally philanthropic support around the artistic community in Fort Lauderdale, it is now transitioning into the premier destination for artists, small-business owners, technologists and arts enthusiasts.

The emergence of FATVillage has been a thoughtful and deliberate process of encouraging smart development that never diverts from the emphasis on art as the main part of the neighborhood’s DNA. This stands true for the introduction of more mixed-use development into the area, as McCraw highlighted in a recent interview with Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale, discussing how that development is not only a new concept but also positively affecting the surrounding neighborhoods. “FATVillage has consistently been a significant economic driver in the Broward County region. It has acted not only as an arts community but also as a nucleus for a lot of the development in Flagler Village. What we are doing in terms of using art as a driver of mixed-use development is still a new concept, and not many developers are integrating product development with a creative community in the same way that we are,” McCraw told Invest. 

He also acknowledged that while FATVillage is undergoing a transition to focus on developing its status as an economic driver in the region, the reason for the district’s success has been the deliberate and careful process of deciding who can lease inside the area. “FATVillage is at a transition point. We are very focused on developing FATVillage to make it a treasure for Fort Lauderdale. We have aggregated various types of coworking spaces with different disciplines, all of which are major components of FATVillage. We have a curated process and we do not just lease to the first person who walks in the door. Our focus on art as an integrated part of the DNA of FATVillage makes us a unique component of Fort Lauderdale’s culture,” McCraw said. 

Helping to achieve this vision for the future of FATVillage, while also remaining true to its arts identity, is Urban Street Development, which has been involved with the district from the beginning. Invest: recently had a conversation with the Co-Founder Alan Hooper about what the next phase of development for FATVillage will look like. “In August, we intend to deliver a plan that will take the FATVillage Art District in downtown Fort Lauderdale into an exciting era that will combine food with art and technology (FAT) and develop a neighborhood where people and businesses of all sizes can find a place to live, create, collaborate, and socialize. The 5- acre-plus plan fully embraces the arts and elevates the opportunities for artists and creative businesses alike. Positioned inside the downtown core, the Opportunity Zone, and a block from Brightline, the options for community building are endless,” Hooper told Invest:. “We want to help FATVillage evolve into the place it should be. A place that is attractive to creative businesses while maintaining the artists who made us a well-known destination. We want to build some affordable housing for artists and local creative people, as well as really cool workspaces for start-up businesses that might represent art in another way, through video or audio, the art of the word, or the art of food. A place like this will be very attractive to businesses that benefit from hiring within a congregation of talent. In the end, we are creating a village that all people can grow with, be a part of and enjoy.” 

Arts and culture is a major key in Florida’s economy, and even more so in Broward County. Areas like FATVillage play a vital role in keeping arts in the county, and acting as a significant economic driver for the region. FATVillage has long been an attractive destination in Fort Lauderdale, but it is now on the cusp of a major transition into a true arts and economic staple in Broward County. 

 

To learn more about our interviewees, visit:

https://www.fatvillage.com/

http://www.urbanstreetdevelopment.com/

Face Off: The Development of Fort Lauderdale

By Max Crampton-Thomas

4 min read August 2019 — Home to more than 180,000 people and growing, Fort Lauderdale continues to work tirelessly to position itself as the premier economic powerhouse in South Florida. This growth and economic development of the city has not happened by chance, but rather, has been a result of well thought out, deliberate and collaborative initiatives from both the local government and community organizations. Two of the leaders driving this development are the independent taxing district known as the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority and the primary economic development organization for the city, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale had the good fortune to speak with both Bob Swindell, the president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, and Jenni Morejon, the president and CEO of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority. The conversations explored how the community is addressing climate resiliency, challenges facing development in the city and ultimately how they are working to help Fort Lauderdale achieve its true potential.

 

How have you seen the business community address resiliency as it pertains to climate change?

Jenni Morejon: Nearly 10 years ago, South Florida became a national and global leader in addressing climate change by developing the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact made up of Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Following this sophisticated public sector collaboration, the compact engaged the business community to explain why economic resiliency should be on their agenda. Now, groups like the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, the Alliance and the Broward Workshop, and their private sector members, better understand the importance of climate change and why investments in resiliency today will have an ROI and long-term tangible benefit.

Bob Swindell: One of our partner organizations, the Broward Workshop, hosted a scientist from Holland. The Dutch have been dealing with this issue for years, and if you look at their coastal cities, many are below sea level. Our limestone foundation is a little different from what they have in Holland and there are definite differences in geographic qualities, but they have been working to solve flooding issues for years. People in Broward County want to talk about solutions now because they understand that this is a real threat when they see high tides and king tides causing flooding. We really need to think about solutions and how we can work block by block to mitigate this threat. The reality is that it’s going to take more thought to identify the science that will build a system that truly works.

What are some of the most significant challenges facing Fort Lauderdale?

Morejon: Housing affordability is one of the most important issues affecting the present and long-term prosperity of our community. Increasing the supply of housing units in the urban core has been the traditional focus of the Fort Lauderdale DDA. With 5,000 new units under construction in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, this legacy issue requires a more complex and comprehensive solution, incorporating higher-paying jobs and better mass transit to reduce the cost of living. Last year, Broward County voters approved an Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the DDA is now advocating for the use of public land and local financial contributions from the Trust Fund to incentivize new subsidized housing.

Swindell: One challenge we talk about frequently, and this is where publications like Invest: are a real asset, is encouraging investment in Greater Fort Lauderdale. This is not necessarily a problem right now because we still have investment dollars flowing into the area, but I think reinforcing that this community is a good investment destination is vital to our sustainability. As a region, we must be reinforcing and supporting what companies like Stiles are doing when they make a private investment in Fort Lauderdale to create office space inventory, which we can use to attract new companies to the area. Stiles is building the first new corporate commercial high-rise building in 10 years, The Main. That is a great example of creating additional inventory, and I believe that our job is to try to help fill that building. It is important to have that inventory available.

What is the outlook for Greater Fort Lauderdale for the rest of 2019 and into 2020?

Morejon: Over the past 18 years, close to 6.8 million square feet of office, retail, multifamily and hotel space has been built in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Today, another 6.2 million square feet is under construction with 4,600 new residential units, 600 hotel rooms, and two new Class A office buildings. A combined 400 floors of development are being added to the skyline, effectively doubling the scale of Downtown in just a handful of years. This new critical mass of people will help support the growing retail and restaurant scene and provide a range of housing options to attract a diverse workforce. We’ll also see progress on three important civic projects. The City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County will be moving forward on the development of a new joint government campus, the site for a new Federal Courthouse will be determined, and with the recent passage of a $200 million parks and open space bond, the city and DDA will be kicking off investments in our Downtown public realm.

Swindell: We conduct an annual poll of chief executives in the region and it came back very positive. South Florida tends to enter a downturn or recession a little bit after the rest of the country has already felt the effects, and we tend to exit these situations quicker. A lot of that is due to international investment, and we do not see that slowing down this year. Based on the construction leasing rates that I’m seeing, the demand is there. With some of the federal tax law changes and what you can deduct for state income tax and state sales tax, there have been some additional opportunities created for the region through people seeking lower tax environments. We have branded our community for many years as providing a “Life. Less taxing.” Florida has been well-managed financially, we don’t have unfunded pension obligations and our state has a surplus every year. South Florida will continue to have another strong year.

To learn more about our interviewees, visit:

https://www.gflalliance.org/

https://www.ddaftl.org/

Spotlight On: Andrew Verzura, Principal, VCM Builders, Inc.

By Max Crampton-Thomas

 

2 min read August 2019 — The amount of construction in a region is almost always an effective gauge of how the local economy is doing. Broward County is among those regions that has become synonymous with an abundance of ongoing and future construction projects, which speaks volumes to its strong and growing economy. Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale recently spoke with Andrew Verzura, Principal of VCM Builders, Inc, one of the construction companies benefiting from the strong market in Broward County. Verzura discussed trends in the market, how Broward County compares to other markets and what the future of the construction industry in Broward County may look like.

What trends are emerging in the renovation projects VCM is working on?

In construction, we have to constantly regroup because the market changes. In recent years, our company decided to focus on renovations. Some of the trends we are seeing call for cleaner designs because people want to get away from heavy woods and marble, which don’t hold up well. We are seeing more porcelain, lighter colors, fewer moldings and more technology-based demands. Most of these condo buildings that were built 15 years ago did not have the technology we have today, so I’m challenged in every condo building with elevator integration, security integration and package rooms. Millennials want the ability to run almost everything off their phones, and we have to try and meet that demand. 

How does Broward County compare with the other markets you work in? 

The difference with Broward County is that it’s a very small, close-knit community. You can meet the commissioners, public officials or the building official and they all remember you. They are extremely friendly to do business with because they have a set of rules and regulations they follow. Whenever we have issues, I can go speak with somebody. I would say that over the last 15 years, I’ve been able to work with the city to solve 95% of the problems we’ve had. People are coming here because the business environment is so friendly.

How have rising construction costs affected your business? 

Construction costs are very expensive, and they have not gone down. Compared to when we started building spec houses in 2013 to where we are now, construction costs are up 30%. Construction costs are deal breakers for a lot of projects that we are looking at because they just do not make financial sense. The banks are not going to finance projects when the numbers do not make sense and will not work. We have seen many of the large rental communities being funded by pension funds. Most of these projects, which are primarily funded by pension and real estate funds, have been looking for a 6% return.

How does the next year look for the construction industry in Broward County? 

My outlook for Broward is still very strong. There is competition but that is a good thing. I believe we will still see people buy properties here. We have a friendly environment for developing and a government that is pro development. As long as we have builders and developers continuing to focus on sensible building, then we should be in good shape for the next year. We have to be very careful and look at deals that make sense because there are a lot of inflated deals out there right now. People all think their property is worth so much money but in reality it is only worth as much as people are willing to pay for it. The market is leveling off, which is not a bad thing, and it will be interesting to see how the market accepts all the new rental buildings in downtown. 

 

To learn more about our interviewee, visit:

http://vcmbuilders.com

Spotlight On: Gregory Stuart, Executive Director, Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization

By Max Crampton-Thomas

 

2 min read August 2019 — Almost a billion dollars a year are spent on transportation in Broward, and as the region continues to grow so will this number. With so much money being funneled into transportation, there must be an overseer to decide how to disperse these federal funds. This overseer is the federally-mandated agency The Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization. Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale recently spoke to Executive Director of the MPO Gregory Stuart, who discussed how the passage of the penny sales tax will help fund new transportation initiatives, the more immediate changes Broward will see thanks to the sales tax and the challenges facing transportation in the county. 

What have been Broward MPO’s most significant highlights over the last year? 

There have been three. The first is possibly the most significant, which was the passage of the penny sales tax that added $350 million a year to our annual budget. We spend about a billion dollars a year on transportation in Broward, so adding this $350 million is a substantial increase in transportation spending for our region. Second, was the municipal portion of that sales tax, which was one of the most significant items to be included in the penny sales tax. While we can talk about the large-scale projects that the sales tax will generate for the region, the impact of 23% of that money being dedicated to our municipal partners to build quality of life improvements when it comes to the transportation system is going to be key. It will provide those dedicated funding sources for our community shuttles, which folks use to go to the grocery store, appointments and other short distances. Third, was the implementation of the quiet zones for the FEC and CSX tracks here in Broward. While this didn’t necessarily improve the overall condition of transportation, it improved the quality of life for the residents along both of those corridors. 

What will be some of the more immediate changes due to the passage of the penny sales tax for transportation? 

Realistically, the immediate changes aren’t going to result in construction. We are focusing on enhancing the traffic signalization program. This includes coordination between traffic lights and people’s vehicles through the installation of smart communication equipment. Another immediate change that has happened already but which we’re not going to notice for about another year, is the county transit agency’s purchase of another 130 buses. Considering they are operating a fleet of about 300 buses right now, this is a one-third expansion and a significant increase in the bus system. 

What are some of the biggest challenges facing transportation and transit in Broward County?

The biggest challenge that we face is just trying to get everybody on the same page, whether it is a local government, the county government, the state government, the federal government or homeowners and business associations. It can be a very difficult task, but it can be done. We are working to strengthen the relationship between the three counties: Miami Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. They all need to be talking to one another if we are going to make real positive change when it comes to transportation needs across South Florida. 

To learn more about our interviewee, visit:

http://www.browardmpo.org/

Top 5 Trendiest Neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale

By Max Crampton-Thomas

 

2 min read July 2019 — The growth of the Fort Lauderdale area is a true testament to the collaborative efforts of the city’s private and public sectors. The positive effects of this growth can be witnessed in the development, redevelopment and preservation of the city’s neighborhoods. 

Here, Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale explores Fort Lauderdale’s five trendiest and up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Victoria Park: A beautiful mix of traditional “Florida” homes and new development, Victoria Park has long been a staple neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale. The revitalization of the area is thanks to its close proximity to Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard and cultural centers like the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. 

Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale spoke with Doron Broman, managing partner of Moderno Development Group, about its investment in the development within Victoria Park. “We are tapping into the near downtown areas because more people are seeking to live in more walkable areas, where they need to spend less time commuting to work and experience a more urban lifestyle,” Broman said. “We are building very modern, urban townhouse rental communities in trendy Victoria Park.”

Tarpon River District: Located just north of Davie Boulevard and west of Andrews Avenue, Tarpon River District is a neighborhood whose appeal is thanks to its proximity to downtown Fort Lauderdale and emphasis on family life. With a recent influx of mixed-income homes and apartments, access to some of the cities best parks and the locally famous Tarpon River Brewing company, this neighborhood will continue to be a top choice of young families. 

“We are keen on Tarpon River District, which we believe is the new cool work-live-play hub, located right in the center of Fort Lauderdale,” Broman told Invest:. 

Flagler Village: Twenty years ago, this neighborhood was a rundown warehouse and residential district. Today, Flagler Village is one of the trendiest areas in Fort Lauderdale. The collaboration between artists and developers has transformed the neighborhood into a premier arts district with offerings of luxury rental apartments, restaurants and arts and culture. The Village is also home to the Brightline train station, which supplies a steady flow of traffic into the neighborhood daily. 

“Many developers have looked to the beach and Flagler Village areas in Fort Lauderdale. We are also invested in Flagler Village,” Broman said. 

Las Olas Isles: Due to its proximity to Las Olas Boulevard and Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Isles is the perfect mix of retail, restaurants and a coastal lifestyle. Luxury living like this comes with a hefty price tag. Homes in the area range from $1 million to $40 million and rental units are in the thousands. 

Colee Hammock: Not only is this one of the oldest neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale, it is also one of the most diverse and eco-conscious in the city. Situated next to the Intercoastal Highway and the New River, Colee Hammock offers residents a wide variety of homes and walkability to theaters, restaurants, retail and entertainment venues. This eclectic neighborhood is home to a wide demographic, from the working class to the wealthy. 

Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale discussed development in Colee Hammock with Andrew Verzura, principal of VCM Builders, Inc. “We are working on a residential project in Colee Hammock, a historic neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale established in 1913. We are constructing a home that is being built around some of the area’s oldest and mature foliage. This is a neighborhood that has a special relationship and respect for the nature within it.” 

 

For more information visit:

http://vcmbuilders.com/

https://www.modernodev.com

Spotlight On: Dr. Winnifred McPherson, Director & CEO, Virtue Medical Staffing Services, LLC

By Max Crampton-Thomas

July 2019

2 min read  — The staffing industry is a multi-billion dollar market that quite often flies under the radar, but its impact and contribution to the overall economy should not be understated. With almost 17 million temporary and contract employees being hired by American staffing companies, this industry is vital to not only a sustainable economy but also to the country’s growing workforce. Staffing companies service a variety of markets including I.T., advertising, and perhaps most important healthcare. 

Although they are a relatively new staffing agency in the market, Broward County based Virtue Medical Staffing Services LLC has big plans to quickly expand their footprint within South Florida’s healthcare industry. Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale spoke with Dr. Winnifred McPherson, CEO of Virtue Medical Staffing Services LLC and discussed the keys to success and plans to expand within the staffing industry.  

What is the key to success in the staffing industry? 

“In this type of business you have to have employees who meet the demands of your clients, and because the unemployment rate is so low in South Florida for medical professionals, we have to find these quality candidates wherever we can. We cannot be confined to only looking for those who have years of experience, and we must look to our recently graduated or graduating students in the area. As a staffing agency, we do not ever like to say that we do not have anybody for a position. We try our best to be proactive in making sure there is always a candidate ready to go.”

How do you plan to grow your business into the future? 

“We hold two licenses that let us service a larger audience. The first is a nurse registry license that allows our employees to work in Broward and Palm Beach counties, both in medical facilities as well as homes. Then we have a Health Care Services Pool license that allows us to work anywhere in the state of Florida but only in a facility. Our plan is to keep expanding further north, and the Health Care Services Pool license will allow us to do that. To be successful in staffing, we have to be both flexible and have the ability to work anywhere that has demand.”

Where are you currently finding the most demand for your services? 

“Right now, the majority of our demand is in elderly care. We have corporate hospice clients, so a large portion of our business and workforce is in hospice care. We are striving to attract both corporate and private clients. Private clients will normally require full-time care because they may be living alone or with a family member who cannot be home all the time to take care of them. We also target senior living communities, and we will speak with these homeowners associations to let them know that we are an asset they can depend on.” 

To learn more about our interviewees, visit their websites:

http://www.virtuemedicalstaffing.com/

Spotlight on: Troy McLellan, CEO, Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce

By Max Crampton-Thomas

July 2019

2 min read JULY 2019 — Boca Raton is often associated with beautiful beaches, luxury homes and an elevated lifestyle, but the city at the southernmost point of Palm Beach County is also a bustling economic hub of activity. The economic engine that Boca Raton has become is fueled by an abundance of residential and commercial development in the downtown area and the pro-business initiatives set forth by the local government and community organizations. The city also has the benefit of having the largest chamber in Palm Beach County, The Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, working tirelessly to promote and sustain economic prosperity for Boca Raton. Invest: Palm Beach recently sat down with Troy McLellan, CEO of the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce to discuss the current and future success of the business ecosystem in the city.

How is Palm Beach County a conducive environment for successful businesses?  

“Nearly half of all the corporate headquarters in all of Palm Beach County are located in Boca Raton. We have a very rich and robust corporate culture here, with an impressive list of major employers: Office Depot, ADT, Modernizing Medicine, the Boca Raton Resort + Club, the Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Florida Atlantic University to name a few. We’ve had that culture since IBM was located here several decades ago. The entrepreneurial roots run deep in Boca Raton. Even when IBM started to divest, a lot of that intellectual capital remained in our community. From a chamber standpoint, we’re very serious about making sure that our community and all of south Palm Beach County is pro-business. We’re not apologetic at all about wanting our businesses to be successful and creating an environment where they can succeed, no matter the size.”

 

How does the chamber find the balance between corporate interests and the needs of local citizens amid all of the economic development in South Florida?

“Although we’re bullish on business, we understand that there is a balance to be struck with the community at large. Our residents expect a certain lifestyle, and sometimes growth and development is frustrating for them. We understand and empathize with that, but you can’t be a community that just stops developing because you will no longer be relevant or successful. All of the sudden, you’d lose your competitive edge. Boca Raton has the lowest millage rate of any city in Palm Beach County. That’s not by mistake. It’s because the businesses here carry this community. The contribution to the tax base by the business community in Boca Raton is substantial. I have to tell that story and remind our residents that the businesses are subsidizing this great quality of life we all enjoy. It’s important that message is consistently spread throughout the entire community. Boca Raton is the best place to live, work, learn and play. The Boca Chamber wants to keep it that way!”

 

To learn more about our interviewee, visit:

https://www.bocaratonchamber.com/

Spotlight On: Dan Lindblade, President & CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce

By Max Crampton-Thomas

July 2019

2 min read JULY 2019 — The City of Fort Lauderdale has been steadfast towards the goal of becoming the premier economic powerhouse in South Florida. The significant population and business growth in the area is a testament to the unwavering efforts of the local government, business owners, residents and community organizations. While this has been a collective community effort, one organization in particular has been at the forefront for the majority of the initiatives that have led to this growth and helped navigate the challenges associated with it. Since being established in 1910 The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce has focused its efforts towards helping Fort Lauderdale achieve its ultimate potential. Invest: Greater Fort Lauderdale recently spoke with Dan Lindblade, the President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce to discuss how the chamber is assisting with the issues currently facing the business community and how they are supporting significant development projects in the region.

How is the Chamber supporting the expansion of Port Everglades? 

We will be going to Washington in September to push for a New Starts designation for Port Everglades. The port is one of our chief economic drivers, supporting both the cargo and cruise industries. When the Chamber became involved with the Port about 9 years ago, it didn’t have the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ approval to start the expansion and that was the first thing on our radar. We had to push the Army Corp of Engineers to get approval to deepen and widen the harbor and when it was finally approved in 2015, we didn’t have any funding. For us to actually get funding for the expansion, we have to have the New Starts designation. When we get a New Starts designation, then we will be open to funding, so that is what we are pushing for between now and September. 

What trends have you observed regarding the labor shortage in the region? 

We really have not looked at any kind of importation of talent. Only when we have a certain type of individual we can’t find will we go out and recruit them from another area. The technology hub that we have here in South Florida is real and there is a lot of talent because of it, but not enough. It is expensive to live here in Fort Lauderdale, and people who are in the early stages of their careers are earning starting salaries that can be a challenge. We have been pushing employers to pay a living wage if they want talented people to stay here, otherwise they can go elsewhere. It is an interesting situation right now with such a low unemployment rate. Companies are constantly looking for new talent, and right now it is an employees’ market. If someone is not happy where they are working, they can easily go and find another job. 

What initiatives is the Chamber spearheading to help mitigate the effects of sea level rise? 

We are creating the International Resiliency Conference and Convention. It will be in December 2020 at the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel and Resort. This will be South Florida’s first convening of an international crowd to talk about sea level rise and entrepreneurial activity as it relates to engineering, science and transportation. In dealing with the issue of sea level rise we are going to make mistakes, but we have a trillion dollars’ worth of real estate between Palm Beach and Miami Dade that is at risk if we don’t act now. That’s what this conference is going to be all about. I told the directors, “Before my time is done here, I want to at least have the groundwork in place that creates the opportunities and the dialogue to navigate this issue.” There are all these other countries that live with water, so we should learn from them. Let’s figure out what they’ve done well, what they haven’t done well and use it to our advantage. 

Another component we need to address relates to property insurance. We are requesting a five-year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program which provides for additional consumer protections and claims reform among other administrative items.

 

To learn more about our interviewees, visit their websites:

https://www.ftlchamber.com/

Hard Rock Hotel Ready to Play New “Guitar”

By staff writer

June 2019

2 min. read

The sky is truly the limit for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino’s $1.5 billion expansion, which is epitomized by the new 450-foot guitar-shaped hotel that residents of Broward County have seen rise from the ground over the past two years. The sprawling resort is set to open on Oct. 24, 2019.

The hotel will house three towers: the world’s first guitar-shaped building, with 638 luxury rooms; the Oasis Tower, which will consist of 168 luxury rooms overlooking a new “Bora Bora Experience” pool-lagoon area; and the classic Hard Rock Hotel that is a long-established staple in South Florida. This resort is shaping up to be unique in many aspects, including the size of the over 800 new rooms at 515 square feet, a significant upgrade from the average industry standard of 400 square feet.

The resort’s new amenities rival that of any luxury resort found in places like Las Vegas or Dubai. Guests will have access to the private “Bora Bora Experience” that is reminiscent of the region for which it is named, including private villas, personal butler service and a pool-lagoon landscape. The resort will also offer a new 42,000 square foot space that includes a 3,200 square foot fitness center, salon, barber shop, and countless spa services. The primary staple of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel is its casino, which is also undergoing some major renovations and upgrades with the addition of 200 table games, 3,100 slot machines and a newly constructed 45-table poker room. Finally, the new 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live venue is expected to draw tourists and musical acts alike to the South Florida region. The venue will be kick-started a day after the grand opening with an inaugural concert by Maroon 5.

The massive expansion is already having a positive economic impact on the South Florida region. The resort has been in the process of hiring over 1,200 new employees for full-time, part-time and on-call positions, while the expansion required over 2,000 construction employees. The almost completed guitar-shaped tower is already a landmark on the South Florida skyline and is attracting more attention to the city of Hollywood, where the resort is located.

Long a major economic driver in Broward County, the refurbished Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is ready for its debut and set to play a major role in all of South Florida.

For more information on Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino visit:

https://www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com/