The 1936 landmark (Steven Glassman)

Dear Preservation 911,

On October 17, 2001, the Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning board voted 5-3 to accept a proposal to demolish the 1936 art deco Lauderdale Beach Hotel, the first hotel on the city's famed beach and the catalyst for post-depression beach development. The board agreed to the owner's plan to replace the hotel with a 28-story, 153-unit condominium.

The hotel is the only Broward County hotel designed by Roy F. France, architect of over 40 Miami Beach art deco and postmodern hotels. A dozen of France's hotels have been demolished, but 20 still remain.

In continuous operation for more than 65 years, the hotel has had only three owners and a three-year WWII occupation by the U.S. Navy. From June 1943 to January 1946, it operated a radar and range finder training facility, graduating 5,000 men.

On January 14, 2002, the Fort Lauderdale Historic Preservation Board will consider an application for landmark status for the hotel. If approved, the board recommendation will be considered by the mayor and four city commissioners who will also consider owner William Strine's condominium plan.

Anyone interested in helping to save the Lauderdale Beach Hotel from destruction is urged to contact the Fort Lauderdale mayor and city commissioners by fax at 954-828-5667. Or send an e-mail to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel or the Miami Herald.

Sincerely,

Diane G. Smart, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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