With a $2 billion megaproject, a marina fit for superyachts, and global conferences booked through 2039, Fort Lauderdale is no longer South Florida’s best-kept secret—it’s the new blueprint for waterfront wealth.
That was the clear takeaway from the “State of the Fort Lauderdale Market” panel held on June 10, hosted by Florida’s largest multifamily developer, Related Group, inside the glittering new sales gallery for the St. Regis Resort & Residences, Bahia Mar. The event convened a who’s who of city leaders and industry insiders to chart Fort Lauderdale’s rise from relaxed seaside city to full-fledged luxury destination.
On the panel: Mayor Dean Trantalis, Visit Lauderdale’s EVP Anthony Cordo, and RelatedISG CEO Craig Studnicky—each offering insights into what’s fueling the boom and why the world’s ultra-wealthy are finally docking in Fort Lauderdale.
The New Gold Coast
Mayor Trantalis kicked off the conversation with a message of transformation. “We’ve invested nearly $2 billion in infrastructure to support this next chapter,” he said. “My goal wasn’t to mimic Miami or West Palm—it was to create Fort Lauderdale’s own brand. One rooted in access, livability, and luxury.”
From a city that once leaned heavily on spring break tourism, Fort Lauderdale has emerged as a haven for global investors seeking sun, sand, and long-term value. According to the mayor, private capital is flocking in—nearly a third of the city’s growth over the past five years has come from private investment, a staggering statistic that puts it in rarefied company.
St. Regis Bahia Mar: Billion-Dollar Signal
No project better illustrates that shift than the $2 billion St. Regis Resort & Residences, Bahia Mar, a joint venture by Related, Tate Capital, and Rok Acquisitions. Spanning 40 acres of land and water along Fort Lauderdale’s famed Bahia Mar Marina—home to the world’s largest in-water boat show (FLIBS)—the development is set to completely reimagine the waterfront.
This isn’t just another branded condo tower. The project includes a flagship St. Regis hotel, two luxury residential towers, a private beach club, high-end dining and retail, and an exclusive megayacht marina with slips for vessels up to 350 feet. As luxury marinas grow increasingly rare, the scale and scope of this project signal serious international ambition.
“This is Fort Lauderdale’s calling card to the world,” said Studnicky. “It’s where ultra-high-net-worth buyers can invest in a brand they trust—on waterfront that’s still accessible.”
Convention Center Meets Cultural Magnet
It’s not just the luxury crowd taking notice. Visit Lauderdale’s Anthony Cordo shared how the newly expanded Broward County Convention Center is bringing in heavy-hitter conferences from across industries—from telecom and tech to healthcare.
“With one of the largest waterfront ballrooms in the country, water taxi access, and nearby resorts like the St. Regis, we’re attracting high-spending visitors who wouldn’t traditionally attend a convention here,” said Cordo. “We’re already booking into 2039.”
Cordo also emphasized Fort Lauderdale’s distinctive appeal. “It’s luxury mixed with real life,” he said. “You’ll find five-star resorts alongside family-run shops that have been here for generations. It’s a genuine, safe, multicultural city—and that balance is what sets it apart.”
A City Thinking Long-Term
From Messi’s new soccer training center to one of the largest pickleball complexes in the country, Fort Lauderdale is building for both lifestyle and longevity. Future-forward infrastructure is already in place, including plans for a 20-to-25-foot-wide promenade around the Bahia Mar property, giving residents and visitors walkable access to the waterfront.
“This city used to be where people went to retire,” said Trantalis. “Now it’s where they come to invest, build businesses, and raise families.”
And unlike markets that have priced out even high-net-worth buyers, Fort Lauderdale still offers what Studnicky calls “white space”—opportunities for generational investment without the gridlock or saturation of neighboring metros.
The Verdict: South Florida’s Smartest Bet?
For those looking to place a strategic bet on South Florida real estate, Fort Lauderdale may be the smartest move on the board. Between public investment, private ambition, and landmark projects like St. Regis Bahia Mar, the city is forging a new identity—one that’s inclusive, elevated, and engineered for the future.
Call it a comeback. Call it a quiet takeover. Just don’t call it the next Miami.
Renderings by Related Group and project partners.
