Donald Trump, in partnership with developer Roy Stillman of New York's Bayrock Merrimac LLC, will build a 24 story, 298 room $200 million hotel condominium tower on 200 feet of Fort Lauderdale's oceanfront, just a few blocks from Las Olas Boulevard. 

It is called the Trump International Hotel and Tower Fort Lauderdale, and industry insiders believe this "may very well be the finest property of its kind in all of Ft Lauderdale".

The site is cleared.  Construction is underway where the 1950's Merrimac and Gold Coast hotels once stood at 551 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.

This is just south of The Atlantic (shown in corner of image on the left), which is already open, and W and Q Club, (now called Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort), which are under construction nearby and selling out fast.    

Email Edwards Realty Group Now or call them  954-558-4844 today to talk about the Trump International Hotel and Tower Fort Lauderdale. 

The condominium-hotel concept is perfectly suited to buyers who want the advantages of owning a second home in a market that is appreciating rapidly, and the carefree experience of staying in a luxury resort hotel.  

The units come totally furnished down to bed linens and kitchenware.

When not in residence, owners have the option of putting their unit in the hotel rental pool where it will draw income when occupied by other hotel guests.  Each unit includes an owner's closet to secure personal belongings. 

This is the latest high-end hotel announced for Fort Lauderdale's oceanfront, which has seen tremendous development in the last few years.  Accommodations will include 150 Studios, 75 One Bedroom Units and 73 Two Bedroom Units.  The top five floors (above the curved setback in the image above) will include lavish penthouses with soaring ceilings and huge breathtaking private oceanfront terraces. 

This project was designed by Michael Graves & Associates in collaboration with Oscar Garcia Architects, and displays the signature elegance, simplicity and genius that have made Graves' name synonymous with great design in everything from landmark buildings to toasters. 

Trump International Hotel & Tower will be comprised of two buildings on an entire two acre city block with 200 feet if beach frontage.  Skipping the usual porte cochere entry, guests will arrive in a circular atrium between the two buildings and enter a lobby that is being called "incomparable" with twenty foot ceilings and marble everywhere. 

This will stand out from anything else on the beach in design inside and out, as well as a level of services expected to exceed five-star standards. 

According to a Sun-Sentinel (February 28, 2005) article, the art-deco inspired building "will have the feel of a 1925 luxury cruise ship, with elegant woods and upholstered surfaces"  Ceiling heights are a minimum of nine feet.  

 It goes on to quote the developer, saying that "studios, one- and two-bedroom units will range from 530 to 4,000 square feet, with the bulk of the units being about 600 square feet.

The design makes the most of ocean and Intracoastal Waterway views.  Almost every room has a water view from a large private terrace.  The look of the buildings will be unlike anything else on the beach, with a gentle curve design incorporated into the set-back of upper floors. 

Round windows bring the 1920's luxury cruise ship theme to mind.  A pale yellow and blue color scheme reflect the sun and surf of the environment. 

As with other condominium hotels, these units will be fully furnished down to linens, flatware and every last detail. 

All will include flat-screen TVs with DVD and CD players, state-of-the-art kitchens with upscale appliances, imported Italian marble flooring in the kitchens and baths and luxurious bathroom appointments. And in this case, everything will reflect the influence of tastemaker Michael Graves. 

Prices today range from the $700,000s to more than $3 million.

Trump is well known for New York real estate development, casinos, a best selling book and most recently a reality TV show on NBC.  His name alone is sure to make this project a success. 

According to a Miami Herald article (February 25, 2005), "The hotel's 298 condo-hotel units will sell for about $1,000 a square foot -- sky-high for Fort Lauderdale and about $300 more than what units went for next door at Fort Lauderdale's new luxury condo-hotel, The Atlantic."  [$1,000 a square foot is about the same price as the W project nearby]

Roy Stillman, managing member of Stillman Bayrock Merrimac LLC, another established New York real estate figure, is credited as the developer who brought most of the money to the new Trump project according to the Herald article. 

One of Stillman's most recent projects is The Metropolitan, a new 94-unit luxury residential landmark tower in Manhattan.

''The Trump name has become a cultural emblem of success,'' Stillman said.

When we note that Trump International Hotel and Tower on New York's Central Park West was chosen as the top No. hotel in the United States by Conde Nast Traveler, we know that this addition to Fort Lauderdale will be a totally five star destination.

Guests and owners will enjoy white-glove concierge service, valet, security, housekeeping and room service.

The design calls for a lavish 5,000-square-foot for a health club, great spa and a gym with personal trainers.  A world-class five-star restaurant will be located in the front buildings, and a pool deck with private cabanas overlooking the ocean will be adjacent to a function space suitable for weddings and other catered affairs.  Parking will be provided in a four story all-valet garage.