Billionaire Jeffrey Soffer’s plan to add cabanas and waterslides at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort is facing increased opposition from city officials and residents ahead of a key vote next month.
Mayor Steven Meiner and City Commissioner Tonya Bhatt have joined a coalition of local residents, activists, and preservationists in voicing concerns about the proposed renovations to the historic 1,593-room hotel located at 4441 Collins Avenue. The opposition comes as the city’s Historic Preservation Board prepares for a critical vote on February 10.
Meiner expressed his position after a recent MidBeach Neighborhood Association meeting, stating on Instagram: “The resident outcry against this project over traffic, noise, and neighborhood impacts has been understandably loud, and I share these concerns.” In an interview with The Real Deal, Meiner added: “It is hard to find a resident who is supportive of the project.”
While Meiner and other city commissioners will not decide on the proposal themselves—the decision lies with the Historic Preservation Board—they have voiced objections centered on issues such as traffic, safety, and environmental impact. The board previously delayed its vote in November to allow Soffer’s Fontainebleau Development time to revise its plans.
In response to community feedback, Fontainebleau Development reduced the planned cabana structure from three stories to two stories and lowered the waterslide tower from 12 stories to 10 stories. The company stated that these changes reflect input from both residents and members of the Historic Preservation Board. Anthony Stahl, senior vice president at Fontainebleau Development, said during a Zoom meeting that upgrades would help increase nightly room rates and fund maintenance for the main historic building designed by architect Morris Lapidus.
Stahl addressed claims that the new amenities would turn Fontainebleau into a public water park. He stated that slides and related features are intended for hotel guests rather than day visitors but acknowledged that day passes granting access to waterslides would be available. He described the renovation as shifting away from “spring breaker party scene” toward attracting families seeking an upscale experience.
“We don’t want to have adults popping bottles, partying, loud music,” Stahl said. “The intent is for all that to go away.”
Some local leaders remain unconvinced by these assurances. Marc Weiss, an attorney living in Miami Beach, called it “the greatest threat facing Miami Beach today.” Weiss claimed he was able to purchase online day passes for large groups under current policies and argued that expanded amenities would attract more non-guests: “Theme parks bring a ratchet crowd,” he said. “It’s tacky.”
Commissioner Bhatt also criticized the proposed changes: “Morris Lapidus would be turning in his grave,” she said. “We are united, we are angry, we are going to fight this…This is unthinkable.”
