top of page

DowntownFTL 26 in 26, Part 2

January 15, 2026


Part 2 of “26 in 26” takes a closer look at the key metrics and milestones driving Fort Lauderdale’s growth. If you missed part 1, you can dive deeper here.


Women stopping by the new restaurant, Earls Kitchen and Bar, on Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.

 

From momentum in the tourism and culinary worlds to luxury waterfront developments and major civic projects, they reflect how Fort Lauderdale is set to mature in the years ahead.


  1. The DDA launched Fort Lauderdale: Fueled by Water, a new campaign highlighting how Fort Lauderdale’s status as a global superyacht capital is shaping the city’s energy, identity, and competitive edge. Read more about Fort Lauderdale’s $12 billion waterfront real estate boom in Forbes.


  1. Port Everglades hit a record 4.77 million passenger movements in 2025, a 16% increase compared to fiscal year 2024, thanks in part to the addition of the Star Princess, Disney Destiny, and Celebrity Xcel. The world’s third busiest cruise port has over $3 billion in long-term capital improvements on the horizon.


  2. The $1 billion expansion of the Broward County Convention Center and Omni Hotel is now complete. The Convention Center is set to host the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW in May, bringing over 5,000 travel professionals to experience the best of Fort Lauderdale.  Over 80 conventions are booked for 2026 and beyond, expected to attract more than 90,000 attendees to Fort Lauderdale and generate hundreds of thousands of additional room nights for the region.       

                  

  3. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport continues to advance its masterplan that will increase its airline passenger capacity by 15 million people. Construction of Terminal 5 is underway, and plans are progressing to build a new airport intermodal center and an automatic people mover. These improvements will help expand flight capacity, seamlessly connect each terminal, increase parking capacity, add an on-site airport hotel, and enhance connections between FLL and other nearby attractions.


  4. Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s dining scene has earned national recognition with the arrival of the Michelin Guide. Notable mentions include Heritage, honored with a Bib Gourmand, and Daniel’s, a Florida Steakhouse, recognized as Michelin Recommended.    


  5. A wave of new restaurants opened on and around Las Olas this past year, including Earl’s Kitchen & Bar, Sixty Vines, Catch & Cut, Timbr, WorthWyld, Elba, Mykonos, Swizzle, and Ukiah, showcasing the Boulevard’s dynamic culinary evolution and solidifying its reputation as a premier dining destination. New Spots on the way include Sweetwaters (at Huizenga Park), Amal, Caviar Club, La Felicita, and a revival of Mangos, under construction by The Restaurant People.            

                                             

  6. The City of Fort Lauderdale took a major step towards advancing plans to replace City Hall around a bold new vision of  a forward-looking civic campus that integrates a cutting-edge design with civic amenities to strengthen the city’s identity and downtown experience.        

                                             

  7. More world-class amenities are on the way to Holiday Park.  The YMCA of South Florida and Broward Health recently broke ground on a two-story facility featuring a six-lane swimming pool, a full gymnasium, fitness and wellness spaces, and community program areas, alongside a free-standing emergency room that will provide convenient, on-site medical care for the community. A partnership between the Orange Bowl Committee and the City of Fort Lauderdale funded major renovations to the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center, which opened in December.      

                                                                                                        

  8. Since 2020, Fort Lauderdale has seen a 60% increase in ultra-high-net-worth households choosing to live here, attracted by Fort Lauderdale’s blend of vibrant waterfront neighborhoods, outdoor lifestyle, quality amenities, and overall ease of living.


  9. Pier Sixty-Six’s billion-dollar transformation was unveiled, elevating Fort Lauderdale’s status as a premier luxury waterfront destination.


  10. Fort Lauderdale Beach is redefining waterfront luxury, with major projects like the St. Regis Bahia Mar and Riva Residenza—the world’s first yacht-branded residential tower—drawing international buyers and attention.    

                                                                                              

  11. The opening of Las Olas Marina strengthens Fort Lauderdale’s position as a global yachting hub, attracting high-end visitors and luxury vessels from around the world. Beyond boosting tourism, it stimulates local businesses, elevates the waterfront experience with the opening of Ocean Prime, and reinforces the city’s reputation as a global superyacht hub.


  12. Broward’s leading cultural institutions—Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Discovery & Science, and NSU Art Museum—are centered in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale and host more than 1 million guests annually combined.      


We hope you enjoyed our annual New Year’s list of trends and downtown highlights. Which of these are you most excited about? Did we leave anything out? Drop us a line at dda@ddaftl.org; we’d love to get your feedback!




 
 
bottom of page