New luxury clubs reshape Fort Lauderdale's waterfront social scene

Fort Lauderdale is seeing a shift in how residents and visitors interact with the city's waterfront. Instead of passing through, wealthy individuals are staying longer due to a new wave of private members' clubs. These establishments offer exclusive access and social structures that were previously associated with Miami or Palm Beach. The change is visible in the opening of high-end dining venues and the renovation of historic resort properties.

Marc Falsetto opened the Caviar Club at 833 E. Las Olas this fall. The 80-seat steakhouse features interiors designed by Garrett Singer Studio, with a focus on burled walnut and brass fixtures. While the restaurant is open to the public, Falsetto sold out of 100 founding memberships in three weeks. The current waitlist contains approximately 300 applicants. Members receive access to a concierge-run reservation app, a wine library claimed to be the largest outside of New York's Polo Bar, and a Macallan vault.

"Fort Lauderdale has changed, and so have the people who live here," Falsetto said. He noted that local residents travel frequently and seek refined dining experiences. The club also offers reciprocity with other venues through the booking platform Dorsia. Falsetto stated that everyone currently wants access to these exclusive spaces.

Pier Sixty-Six, a 1950s resort landmark, reopened in January 2025 after a renovation by Tavistock Development Company. The property now includes a private club that charges a $75,000 initiation fee and $15,000 in annual dues. The complex also features a hotel, residences, a marina for 400-foot yachts, 12 food and beverage outlets, and a 40,000-square-foot event space. John Myers, the general manager, said the property distinguishes itself by creating energy around its physical spaces, which he claims many new buildings lack.

The Viceroy Residences Fort Lauderdale project is next in line for development. Naftali Group and the H.wood Group plan to install a 15,000-square-foot restaurant and private members' club. Residents will receive a complimentary one-year social membership at the nearby Fort pickleball club. They will also get automatic membership in the H.wood network, which includes Delilah locations in five cities. Delivery for the project is scheduled for 2029. John Terzian, co-founder of the H.wood Group, described expanding into South Florida as a top priority.

Developers Related Group, Tate Capital, and Rok Acquisitions announced the Bahia Mar Club, a one-acre private waterfront retreat. This club will be exclusively for residents of the forthcoming St. Regis Residences. The facility will include tennis and padel courts, a lap pool, a lawn for yoga and tai chi, and a sunset terrace with fire pits. A DoubleTree by Hilton currently operates on the site, with demolition scheduled to begin in April 2027.

Pérez, a representative for the Bahia Mar project, noted that comparable beachfront properties in Miami Beach or Bal Harbour sell for $3,500 to $4,000 per square foot. In Fort Lauderdale, the price is lower, ranging from $2,200 to $2,500 per square foot. Residences in the new project start at $4.9 million, while resort residences start at $3 million. The project is 30% sold, with buyers including boaters, empty nesters, and snowbirds. Construction is set to begin in late 2027, with delivery in 2030.