Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach is located at the Southeast end of Fort Lauderdale, nestled between the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway with Port Everglades as the south border. The Harbor Beach Company, formed by George W. English purchased 200 acres of land from pioneer Tom M. Bryan for $1,000 per acre. The first 73 lots were originally presented for sale in January of 1942. Sales were very successful with all 73 lots selling that year at a starting price of $5,500. Originally developed by L.C. Judd, this visionary real estate investor who arrived in Fort Lauderdale in 1937 saw the value of the land and the proximity to Port Everglades. In 1955 he offered Mercedes, the first of the Harbor Beach “islands” for sale. After those successful acquisitions, sale offerings of the other islands followed soon thereafter. As Judd developed the deep water properties on the west side of A1A, it was there that he plotted the larger home sites and had the canals dug deeper to accommodate the larger boats and mega-yachts.

The upscale neighborhoods of Harborage Island, Harbor Beach, Breakwater Surf Homes, Harbor Isles and Harbor Inlet are clustered together in this exclusive ocean side neighborhood in East Fort Lauderdale, on both the east and west side of A1A, offering a few “dry lots” but plenty of exquisite canal front, lake front, Intracoastal front and ocean front properties. Traditionally, Harbor Beach has been home to some of Fort Lauderdale’s most valuable real estate. These exclusive areas consist of sprawling estates with a mixture of traditional, Mediterranean and contemporary architecture. Many homes have private dockage that will accommodate mega- yachts and sport boats, all with direct, unobstructed access to the ocean via Port Everglades only a few moments away. The canals here are among the widest in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Much of Harbor Beach is a security patrolled community. The crime rate here is very low. A very exclusive, gated and security patrolled private island of only 17 waterfront residences is located within the Harbor Beach neighborhood and this gem is called Harborage Island. The lots on Harborage Island measure from just over .35 acre to approximately 1.35 acres which is the expanse of a triple lot home. All homes on this Island offer a minimum of 100’ on deep water. This is undoubtedly one of Fort Lauderdale’s most exclusive waterfront neighborhoods best known for its unparalleled security and privacy, opulent mega mansions, large yachts and breath-taking views.

The neighborhoods on the east side of A1A are traditionally a bit smaller offering approximately 80’ on the water. There are a few homes here that are “subject to” a fixed bridge that offers a clearance of about 10’ at mid tide. Here you will find mid-century modern co-operatives as well as townhomes and condominiums. There is definitely something for everyone here! This is a very special part of Fort Lauderdale. The beaches here are some of Broward County’s widest expanses of beautiful sand and access to watch cruise ships and tankers as that pass through Port Everglades.

At the north end of this area east of A1A you’ll find the famed Lago Mar Beach Resort and Hotel situated perfectly on 10 acres of oceanfront land. This gem of a property which has been owned and operated by the Banks family since 1960 is a favorite with both locals and visitors. The grounds are meticulously maintained, the property decorated with photos from the history of this beachfront area. The property offers luxurious hotel accommodations, elegant dining rooms with delectable dishes, a fabulously appointed gift shop, fantastic snack areas, a magnificent resort-style swimming pool, a beautiful full-service spa, tennis courts, an ocean side recreation area with a snack bar, a chess board on the beach with chess pieces that are the size of small people, an amazing, 500 feet of gorgeous, private sandy beach, all of the comforts of home and so very much more. The resort was renovated in the 1980’s and 90’s and currently offers 204 rooms with 164 of them being luxurious suites and 40 resort rooms.

Adjacent to the elegant Lago Mar you will find the magnificent Harbor Beach Surf Club, founded in 1942. This club, exclusive to members, enjoys a sweet little footbridge over Lake Mayan by the private marina over to the 300 foot private beach and beach pavilion. All of this native beauty is exclusively for the use of the Harbor Beach Surf Club members. This is one of, if not THE best kept secret in Harbor Beach. Another special attribute on this special coastal niche is the Breakwater Surf Club. This little community of only 59 homes is on the southern border (along Port Everglades) of Harbor Beach. This sweet little beachside community offers “fee simple” ownership in a homeowners association with a very low fee. The association offers lawn care, landscaping, exterior house painting every 5 years, pressure cleaning, roof maintenance, and a cute little clubhouse and a pool. Some of the original homes remain and take you right back to “old Florida”. In contrast, you will also find mega mansions built and selling for tens of millions of dollars.