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The Americana Hotel, 2150 SE 17th Street Causeway, Fort Lauderdale
For 45 years the hotel bore many names: Americana South, Americana Inn, Marina del Americana, Marina Motor Inn and most recently, Best Western Marine Inn and Yacht Harbor.
Americana Hotel also known as Best Western Marina Motor Inn., 2150 SE 17th Street Causeway.
Built on land owned by realtor L.C. Judd overlooking Port Everglades and Intracoastal Waterway, the unique hyberbolic parabaloid structure was owned by Leo Goodwin Sr. and Best Western among others before acquisition by 17th Street Marina Investments, LLC owner Tom Gonzales. A "twin" hotel was located for a few years on Federal Highway near Gateway Shopping Center.
Many believe that the Americana was designed by noted architect Charles McKirahan based upon its striking resemblance to his Castaways Motel in Sunny Isles, Florida and Quito Hotel, Equador. McKirahan died tragically in February 1964 just four months before the complete set of plans were submitted to the city of Fort Lauderdale for permitting. Following his death, Mckirahan's large portfolio of projects were taken over by several architects. among them Texan Art Williams and local architect Arthur Rude who worked on the Americana
On October 26, 2006 the Fort Lauderdale Historic Preservation Advisory Board unanimously recommended local landmark designation for the lobby structure.
Feature articles about the building appeared in books, national and local magazines as well as the Internet.
On August 21, 2007 the hotel was demolished by Tom Gonzales.
The Broward Trust for Historic Preservation, Inc. made every effort to protect the structure. Its demolition is an unfortunate loss of a fine example of Mid-Century Modern architecture which is the signature architecture of Broward County.
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