Caribe - high rise building frenzy visits Lauderdale by the Sea in the 1960s

 

Caribe near former site of hotel

Caribe, 4050 N. Ocean Drive

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea 33308

By Jane Feehan

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea did not escape the high-rise building frenzy of the 1950s-1960s in Broward County.

Though the small town had codified a five-story height limit, a variance* was granted in 1961 for a 15-story residential building in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Land for the project, the Caribe, extended east from A1A to the beach at the southern end of El Mar Drive, not far from the Galt Mile. The property was reportedly owned by Lauderdale Surf and Yacht Estates.

When the project, designed by noted architect Charles F. McKirahan (Mai-Kai, etc.) was announced by local news in July 1962, the developer and builder, Investment Corporation of Florida, claimed they had already sold 60 percent of the 149 or 150 co-op units. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments were sold, which included land for the building, for $12,500-$22,500. Monthly “assessments” were expected to run about $39 (!!). The company listed several projects in its portfolio at the time: Breakwater Towers, Breakwater Surf Club Homes, Lago Mar Place and Sea Club.

Construction on the Caribe started late July 1962.

Construction costs, reported during the early days were estimated at about $1.5 million. When completed, the project topped $2 million. One news headline months later claimed construction reached the top floor in only 69 working days, thus the customary tree was placed atop (is that still a thing?). The same Fort Lauderdale News story also included builder comments about concrete pilings used for the foundation amounting to 22 times taller than the Washington Monument.

The Caribe opened February 1963. Advertisements for the beachside co-op listed features such as a laundry room and storage on each floor, two elevators and a private beach. It took “only $5,233 “ to move into the Caribe, “the ultimate in oceanfront living.”  By 1964, all units had been sold.

 At this post date, units range in price from the $200,000s to the high $400,000s.  HOA fees and Co-op fees together are currently estimated at $1,000 (see real estate listings, these amounts are fluid and estimated as always).  

Having lived in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea once upon a time, I’ll always remember the giant cross of lights from top and width of the Caribe celebrating every Christmas and Easter. It was visible for miles. Never \more, I guess some would say.

 *Note: The 17-story Fountainhead condominium, with its Lauderdale-by-the-Sea address just south of the Caribe, was granted a zoning variance by the town about 1964-65. High rise buildings sit in the annexed beach area north of the original boundary of the town. Annexation occurred in 2001.

 

Sources:

Fort Lauderdale News, July 21, 1962

Fort Lauderdale News, Nov.17, 1962

Fort Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel, March 4, 1962

Fort Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel, March 16, 1963

Fort Lauderdale News, March 30, 1964

Richard, Candice. Seventy-Three Years By The Sea: A History of Lauderdale By-The-Sea,  The Community Church of Lauderdale- By-The-Sea (1997).