FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The International Swimming Hall of Fame on Fort Lauderdale Beach has been a landmark site for decades, drawing nautical enthusiasts from near and far.
But the property is on the verge of a $220 million facelift that will reshape a portion of the central beach area.
Renderings show what a revamped Hall of Fame would look like for the west building, a six-story structure and a nearly 204,000-square foot multi-purpose building and family friendly aquarium.
City commissioners voted to approve the plans Tuesday evening in what’s being called a private-public partnership.
The Hall of Fame sits on city-owned land, but it’s run by an LLC called HOFP, or Hall of Fame Partners.
The idea to transform the current site has been in the works for roughly six years and would be done in four phases.
Mario Caprini is the CEO of the private company that worked with the developer and the city to bring the massive project to life.
“It’s been a long time coming, a lot of effort went into it,” said Caprini. “We have an elevated promenade that’s going to connect the east to west building. It’s going to connect the walk from the beach all the way to the water taxi and the dock we’re going to be putting in.”
When it’s complete, the new International Swimming Hall of Fame will also house a restaurant, a large event space and a 24,000-square-foot museum.
There will be large open pedestrian walkways along the waterfront as well.
The iconic diving board, one of the world’s tallest at nine stories, would remain in place, securing its future at the popular tourist attraction.
Plans for the east building will come before the commission later this year.
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