Hollywood Beach Resort, the century-old grande dame with a storied history, is now a vacant relic that appears to be heading toward a more cosmopolitan fate.

The landmark resort that was built in 1925 by city founder Joseph Young could very well be transformed into a 398-unit luxury condo tower standing 340 feet high or more.

Perched on a prime piece of beachfront land at 101 N. Ocean Drive, the hotel sits between the Broadwalk and State Road A1A at Hollywood Boulevard.

Local historians dream of seeing the property preserved and restored. But some worry that might be a pipe dream.

Vacant and fenced off after being declared unsafe in May 2023, the seven-story resort long known as the Grand Lady appears destined for redevelopment.

Related Group, partnering with BH Group and potentially Terra, has the 4-acre property under contract for $100 million.

“We recognize the community importance of addressing this vacant, deteriorating property,” Keith Poliakoff, attorney for the developer, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “Our team is actively engaged with acclaimed architects and city leaders to deliver a world-class redevelopment that realizes the full potential of this site. We look forward to formally unveiling our design concept in the coming months.”

In June, Hollywood commissioners approved a resolution confirming the owner has a vested right to build 398 residential units on the site.

At the same time, the city is poised to relax heights cap at the beach, potentially allowing towers as high as 340 feet where the Hollywood Beach Resort now sits.

Historic preservation incentives would give the developer another 150 feet, bringing the total height to 490 feet.

Hollywood commissioners are expected to vote on the beach height plan as soon as Aug. 26. A vote by the city’s Planning and Development Board will take place on Tuesday.

Local preservationists, who liken the hotel to The Breakers in Palm Beach and the Biltmore in Coral Gables, say it would be a shame to see the once glamorous hotel knocked down.

“If we lose our grand dame hotel, it would be a travesty of historic preservation justice,” said Clive Taylor, past president of the Hollywood Historical Society. “This thing was the tallest hotel in Broward County for years. There was no grand space. That was it. And it’s still standing there bookending the end of Hollywood Boulevard. It’s a historic skyline. It’s been there all this time.”

During its golden era, the resort played host to elite parties, high-society events and celebrity guests.

The property took on a new role as a naval training facility during World War II. It became a Bible college in the 1970s and later a condo-hotel and timeshare with an adjoining two-story mall.

“It means a lot to the residents,” Taylor said. “People had weddings there. They graduated from high school there. People remember it. The city should not lose it forever.”

Dan Kennedy, a longtime resident who lives seven blocks south of the hotel, sees things differently.

“Tear it down,” Kennedy told the Sun Sentinel. “It’s held together by the grace of God and termites. There’s still some morons who want it preserved. I say, ‘Build baby build.’ We need more investment on the beach. If they open these condos at the beach it will bring in better restaurants and shops and a better crowd.”

Some worry that the city’s plan to alter height caps on the coast will destroy the low-rise feel of the beach along with its quaint charm.

“It’s a shame that the Grand Lady was not kept up over the years and has been left to decay,” said Cat Uden, a longtime community activist. “What happens to this property could set the tone for future development on Hollywood Beach. If our Grand Lady can’t be saved, I would still like to see a beautiful hotel, not a 34- to 45-story condo tower.”

The clash between the folks who want to preserve the Hollywood Beach Resort and those who want change is not lost on city officials — including Commissioner Kevin Biederman.

“I think there are people who have a vision of the future – and people whose vision is clouded by the past,” Biederman said. “Are there people who have an emotional attachment to the fact that it was built by Joseph Young? Yes. Has it been neglected over the years? Probably. Should we try to preserve some aspect of the historical image? Yes.”

Developers with Related Group have been trying to purchase the property for at least a decade now.

“I think it’s finally in a place where you can get people to the table,” Biederman said. “The entire structure is going to be redesigned but we need to preserve some aspects of the historical design. I would love to see something done there. It is a prime price of real estate that’s one of the most visible spots on the beach in Hollywood.”

The Grand Lady was once the centerpiece of the beach and it could be again, Biederman said.

“I think that site was iconic in 1926,” he added. “And it has the ability to be iconic in 2036. The way development is nowadays, I would guess we’re at least six to eight years out from any completion of any redevelopment. Something needs to be done.”

The property is not on the National Register of Historic Places, yet still retains historic significance, said Dana Gallup, president of the Hollywood Historical Society

“It’s probably the single most notable historical structure that survives to this day,” Gallup said. “It’s the centerpiece of the beach. It’s the property you see as soon as you drive east over Hollywood Boulevard. If that property is returned to some semblance of its former glory, you’re going to see revitalization of retail and restaurants along the beach.”

If a new condo tower is part of the redevelopment, some are hoping it will be no taller than 12 stories, Gallup said.

“When the hotel opened it was considered the jewel of South Florida and Hollywood,” Gallup said. “It rivaled The Breakers and the Biltmore in terms of luxury. Beautiful, beautiful hotel.

“At the bare minimum, we’d like to see the front facade of the hotel preserved and the north and south sides.”

Gallup argues that as much of the hotel should be saved as possible.

“People look at it today and say it’s falling apart,” he said. “But things can be done to restore the visible parts of the hotel. The worst-case scenario would be a complete demolition and putting a 30-story tower in its place. Not only is the building historic, but it really tells the story of Hollywood.”

Article Link: Transformation could be coming to landmark Hollywood hotel built in 1925
Author: Susannah Bryan