Broward Trust for Historic Preservation
Protecting Broward County’s Historic Assets for Future Generations
preservation news
Restoration of the
Annie Beck House is
almost complete.
Frank Croissant House
The Approval of Historic Landmark Designation for the Frank Croissant House on April 1st is a significant step in preserving Fort Lauderdale’s rich history. The Broward Trust for Historic Preservation has been actively involved in this initiative, ensuring that historic assets like this home are recognized and protected.
The Broward Trust for Historic Preservation has been actively involved in this initiative, ensuring that historic assets like this home are recognized and protected.
Broward Trust for Historic Preservation prevailed with the historic designation of Fort Lauderdale's New River Castle. aka; (The Tiny Castle)
preservation news from around the state
Historic Jacksonville Hotel
Once condemned and vacant, Jacksonville’s Ambassador Hotel is getting an upscale facelift.
The commercial real estate development firm Gateway Jax is planning to restore a historic hotel as part of its Pearl Square project, a multiuse development in Jacksonville’s urban core.
The Ambassador Hotel, located at 420 North Julia Street, originally opened in 1924 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the early 1980s. However, the hotel has been vacant since 1998, when it was condemned due to disrepair.
It will become an upscale hotel in partnership with The Indigo Road Hospitality Group of Charleston, S.C.
The hotel will include about 100 rooms, a high-end bar and restaurant, conference space and a 487-space parking garage. It’s expected to open in 2027.
The hotel and several nearby land parcels, purchased in March for $17 million, will be part of the creation of an “18- hour” live-work-play environment for visitors, residents and businesses, along with a high-end hospitality experience, says Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax.
Full story from FLORIDA TREND
Vanessa Caceres | 6/20/2025
news, information and announcements
Pioneer Day in Broward County, Florida will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 12 Noon
Location: Johnny L Tigner Community Center
Oveta McKaithen Recreational Complex
445 SW 2nd Street, Dearfield Beach Fl. 33441
Pioneer Day is Broward County’s annual celebration of its history, culture, and the people who have shaped its development. It is organized by the Broward County Historic Preservation Board in partnership with local municipalities, it honors residents and organizations for their contributions to the county’s heritage.
Purpose and Significance
Since its first event in 1973, Pioneer Day has recognized over 2,000 individuals and groups for their roles in preserving and building Broward County’s identity.
The event emphasizes:
Celebrating diversity and the mix of cultures that make Broward unique. Honoring common values and shared experiences that unite the community.
Learning from history to guide present and future decisions, such as neighborhood growth and county revitalization.
It serves as both a tribute to the past and a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural and historical resources for future generations.
City of Fort Lauderdale
Historic Designation Process
In Fort Lauderdale, historic landmark or district designation is handled entirely at the city level through the Unified Land Development Regulations (ULDR) and the Historic Preservation Board, with a defined application, review, and voting process City of Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
Who Can Apply
Under the ULDR, any property owner, resident, legal entity in the city, or the City itself may submit a historic designation application City of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Nonprofit organizations with an interest in preservation may also initiate the process, but recent updates require them to hold a public meeting with property owners before applying citizenportal.ai.
Eligibility Criteria
A property may be designated if it meets one or more of the city’s criteria, such as:
Significant cultural, archaeological, or historical value.
Association with a notable event or person.
Work of a master builder/architect.
Architectural/aesthetic significance.
Part of a defined historic neighborhood or district.
Properties do not have to be over 50 years old if they meet “exceptional importance” under National Register criterion for the City of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Application process
Prepare and submit an application using the City’s Historic Designation Application form, with supporting documentation historical records, photos, etc.
Review and scheduling: Once complete, the case is placed on the Historic Preservation Board (HPB) agenda within 60 days of receipt City of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
HPB review: The Board evaluates the application and votes on a recommendation to the City Commission of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
City Commission vote: Within 90 days of the HPB meeting, the case is scheduled for a regular City Commission meeting for a final decision City of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Key Points
No restrictions on use: If the use is permitted under current zoning, historic designation does not block changes City of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
No interior restrictions: Renovations are not limited unless the interior is specifically designated City of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
No sale restrictions: Ownership and sale are unaffected by designation City of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Public process: The process is designed to be transparent and inclusive, with opportunities for community input citizenportal.ai.
Recent Updates
As of 2025, the HPB is considering changes to improve the application process, including:
Additional notice requirements for nonprofit applicants.
Streamlined calculation methods for transfer of development rights from historic sites citizenportal.ai
Tip: For the most accurate and current information, consult the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Historic Preservation page or the Historic Designation FAQ PDF before applying.
Broward Trust for Historic Preservation is proud to announce
New World Builders as our newest community partner.
Broward County Historic Preservation Projects
Hollywood Women’s Club 2013-2014
Foundation Replacement & General Rehabilitation
501 North 14th Avenue
Hollywood, Florida 33020
Foundation replacement for the historic Hollywood Women’s Club “Clubhouse”. Work includes lifting the building to provide room to install helical piling; building a grade beam; perform remedial work to the structure where damaged by moisture intrusion; raise the elevation of the building and the site grade to prevent flooding in the future. This project is partially funded by the State of Florida Department of State, Division of Historic Resources.
City of Hollywood Award
Broward County Historical Commission Award
Testimonial from Hollywood Women’s Club
Willingham Carriage House at Richardson Park 2013-2014
Structural Repairs to Historic Building
1937 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, Florida 33312
Retained by the City of Wilton Manors and the Wilton Manors Historical Society to do structural repairs to the Willingham Carriage House, located in Richardson Park.
Historic House Relocation
220 Nugent Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312
Historic House Relocation; Provided consulting and general contracting support for relocation of the historic Judge Shippey House. Obtained Certificates of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Board for both locations, assisted in negotiating the lease terms and coordinated State, County and City permits for the move.
The Schubert Resort 2004-2005
30 Units
855 Northeast 20 Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304Brought in to an incomplete rehabilitation project that had been started in 2000 and abandoned. Worked through the re-permitting process to complete the gutted units. Did consultant work to ensure that all building issues with the City were resolved.
Curci House – City of Hallandale Beach 2003
Historic Preservation Consultant
324 Southwest Second Avenue
Hallandale Beach, Florida
Hired by the City of Hallandale Beach to determine the feasibility of restoring the historic Curci House. At that time, the property was privately owned and the developer was planning to demolish the historic home and develop the parcel as new single-family houses.
We found that a rehabilitation would be feasible and proposed that the City increase the density of the south portion of the property in return for the developer donating the house and sufficient land to honor the historic resource. The outcome was just that: the developer donated the Curci House, built townhouses on the south portion of the lot and the Curci House was preserved as a Museum.
Lauderdale Beach Hotel/Las Olas Beach Club 2004-2006
Historic Preservation Consultant
101 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Former President of Broward Trust for Historic Preservation, Charles Jordan negotiated with the Related Group to provide an adaptive reuse of the Lauderdale Beach Hotel as part of a high-rise condominium project. The outcome provided a successful oceanfront condominium project, with commercial uses at ground level. The street facades designed by noted Architect, Roy France, were saved. This was a win-win between the developer and the historic preservation community in what was an intensely growing market.
proposals
Proposal for Bronze Sculpture of Annie Beck
Proposed by local artist Linda Fleischman, for her bronze garden lady sculpture representing the historical legend Annie Beck to be placed at her home located at the Middle River Terrace Neighborhood Park. (Annie Beck House).
