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Las Olas rests at the forefront of the board's efforts. Each year, "It's a process to match Las Olas with the new residential
the strip generates a significant economic impact through its demographic, but it is one we are eager to undertake,"
retail and dining components. It also presents a diverse commented Ladd. “Good developments beget new good
selection of experiences, which attracts individuals looking to developments, and hope that this gathering of strong retailers
immerse themselves in everything that makes Fort Lauderdale a will help the street grow east and continue to add dimension
sought-after destination in one place. Popular eateries in Las and vibrant personality to the strip.”
Olas include Louie Bossi's Italian Ristorante, Tommy Bahama As Fort Lauderdale continues to evolve, the public and private
Marlin Bar, Rooftop @1WLO, YOLO, and Luigi's Tuscan Grill, sectors will continue to focus on infrastructure and additional
to mention just a few. Storefronts along Las Olas include Lilly improvements to keep the experience on Las Olas impeccable
Pulitzer, Zola Keller, Warby Parker, Yeti and many more.
and that of a world-class boulevard. The Fort Lauderdale DDA
“The Las Olas’ restaurant and retail scene has made a is currently in the process of reimagining Huizenga Park at the
remarkable shift from catering to locals and businessmen, to a west end of Las Olas with the goal of activating the space,
world-renown destination with offerings that appeal to a making it a community meeting place teeming with energy
spectrum of ages and backgrounds,” said Hooper. “And it’s and excitement.
not just the beach for visitors anymore. A dining reservation on The heartbeat of Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown beats strong with
Las Olas Blvd is a big part of a vacation itinerary.”
these improvements and expansion. At the core of this growth
is a concentrated effort to create a place residents and business
The Growth Continues owners can be proud of, that will last for generations to come.
Las Olas is poised to continue its trend toward upscale
excitement and activation in the upcoming years. Downtown “My hope, my vision, my driving force for the future of Fort
Fort Lauderdale is poised to develop over 20 new developments Lauderdale as a whole,” says Hudson, “is to create a place
in the urban core over the next 10 years, including 13,000 new where my kids want to come back to. When I was in high
residential units, 600,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, school, there wasn’t opportunity here for growth, but now we
1.1 million square feet of office space, and 1,000 new hotel are becoming a cool community that people want to move to;
rooms. With central access to these developments, Las Olas where people want to stay.” HB
rests in a prime position to grow and evolve with the city’s
expansion and its new residents’ needs.

24 HARBOR BEACH Magazine | www.harborbeach.org