Fort Lauderdale is reviewing six proposals from development groups to construct a new city hall, more than two years after record rainfall led to severe flooding and the demolition of its former government center.
The original eight-story building at 100 North Andrews Avenue, completed in 1969, was damaged beyond repair during the historic 2023 rainstorm. Following the flood, staff relocated to leased offices while the city explored long-term solutions for its administrative headquarters.
In May, Meridiam Infrastructure North America—known for projects like the PortMiami Tunnel and affiliated with Paris-based investment manager Meridiam—submitted an unsolicited proposal to build a new city hall. This triggered a state law requiring the city to open a window for other developers to submit competing plans by August 5.
Balfour Beatty, headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, presented three options designed by Kobi Karp and DLR Group. The first option features a 250,000-square-foot city hall including a library and commercial space. The second adds additional floors for leasing to retailers and office tenants outside of city use. The third proposes a campus that includes one of the previous options along with another building for residential or commercial purposes. Balfour Beatty aims for completion by mid-2028.
Meridiam’s proposal offers three Zyscovich-designed alternatives: a 12-story building with up to three stories of amenities such as child care and wellness services; a seven-story baseline option with limited shared spaces; and a middle-ground 10-story plan with smaller commission chambers and common areas compared to their largest concept. Projected capital costs range from $172 million to $292 million. “Completion of the commission chambers is expected in late 2028, with the full project buildout expected in 2029,” according to Meridiam’s filing.
A consortium led by Plenary Group from Melbourne, Australia proposes an oval-shaped, 10-story city hall spanning 196,000 square feet. Designed by Palma and PGAL architecture firms, this project targets late-2028 completion at an estimated cost of $280 million.
Gilbane Development Company has submitted plans for an Arquitectonica-designed structure notable for its wave-like awning feature. Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Gilbane emphasizes hurricane-proof windows, energy efficiency measures and public spaces in its design. The proposed building would reach 229 feet in height with anticipated completion in 2027.
Industry Grade Construction Group has not disclosed architectural details or dimensions but states it would use fully private financing without upfront expenditure required from the city. Its projected timeline points toward completion in 2028.
Cypress West—a group led by Sheldon Gross—proposes splitting government operations between two campuses: back office functions would move to an existing facility at 1515 West Cypress Creek Road (currently used by Fort Lauderdale Police Department), located in an area considered least vulnerable to flooding; meanwhile, front-facing operations would occupy a newly constructed roughly 100,000-square-foot building at North Andrews Avenue. “Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all financing approach, our development team will work collaboratively with [the city] to explore various financing structures,” Cypress West stated in its application. This plan also forecasts completion by 2028.
The final selection process is ongoing as Fort Lauderdale weighs cost estimates, designs and financing structures from each contender.
