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| Florida State Archives/, Florida Memory 1996 |
By Jane Feehan
Phillips Petroleum, when headquartered in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, purchased land in south Fort Lauderdale for a gas station in 1956. Within a few short years, the parcel, bordered on its west by the Intracoastal Waterway, began to evolve into the world-class hotel and resort that claims part of Fort Lauderdale’s skyline today.
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| Courtesy, Broward County |
The oil company built a fuel dock on the parcel in 1957, then installed a marina for more than 100 yachts. In November that year, Phillips advertised the grand opening of a restaurant in the building that today anchors the west side of the resort. By 1959, a two-story hotel was added. Pier 66’s reputation grew during those boom years as did its need for more rooms.
One of the primary designers of its iconic 17-story tower was Richard F. Humble (1925-2011), a Phillips Petroleum architect. The addition was constructed in 1964 for nearly $6 million. The project included about 250 rooms and a revolving top floor cocktail lounge (open only for special events today); both opened in 1965 but not after some construction problems. The building leaned slightly to one side and was righted with extra fill. When completed, the resort sprawled across 22 acres and berthed 142 boats.
One of the primary designers of its iconic 17-story tower was Richard F. Humble (1925-2011), a Phillips Petroleum architect. The addition was constructed in 1964 for nearly $6 million. The project included about 250 rooms and a revolving top floor cocktail lounge (open only for special events today); both opened in 1965 but not after some construction problems. The building leaned slightly to one side and was righted with extra fill. When completed, the resort sprawled across 22 acres and berthed 142 boats.
The fortunes of Phillips Petroleum changed in the 1980s, the decade of takeovers. It fought two hostile takeovers and incurred $4.5 billion in debt. Assets were sold off to reduce that debt and included the sale of Pier 66 in 1985. In 2004 the complex was sold to the Blackstone Group of New York. Blackstone bought the Pier 66 property from H. Wayne Huizenga's Boca Resorts, Inc.
About that really new look
In 2016 Pier 66 (or sixty-six) was purchased by Tavistock Development of Orlando. New construction on the 22-acre property will include a revamped hotel, two 11-story condos (height limit under consideration as of 11/1/22), 12 waterfront homes with 5,000 sq feet each and retail and office space.
For those of us who grew up with this iconic hotel, the property will appear unrecognizable. Some say the new look will "enhance its legacy."
December 2022 - Lots of activity
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| Construction on nearly all of the cleared property to the Intracoastal |
August 2022 update: Not much new in this photo
2021 UPDATE: The Sun-Sentinel reported on 5/4/21 that Tavistock says the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the project and pushed an estimated completion to fourth quarter 2023.
Update Jan. 1, 2023: Lots of building activity on grounds around the hotel tower.
Update August, 2021: no activity at site
For more, see:
Meanwhile (I say) it's an eyesore.
2020 update photo/video:
2018 UPDATE. New owners have new plans for Pier 66: portions of it will be developed into condos. See: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-pier-66-vote-passed-20180711-story.html
Copyright © 2016 2020 All rights reserved. Jane Feehan.
Sources:
Broward County Historical Commission
Miami News: Nov. 22, 1957
Miami News: Dec. 27, 1964
Miami News: Nov. 22, 1957
Miami News: Dec. 27, 1964
Sun-Sentinel, July 23, 2014
Sun-Sentinel, Feb. 27, 2020
Tags: Fort Lauderdale history, history of Fort Lauderdale, Pier 66, Pier Sixty-Six, Florida architect
