For generations, Pier Sixty-Six has stood as both a landmark and a memory bank for Fort Lauderdale. Once its now-iconic spire-crowned tower and revolving Pier Top lounge were completed in 1965, the hotel became the city’s “social harbor,” hosting everyone from Frank Sinatra to Liza Minnelli while anchoring decades of waterfront celebrations.
Today, following a years-long redevelopment that gained momentum after Hurricane Irma in 2017 and culminated with a 2025 return, the property has reemerged with a renewed sense of wow, honoring its legacy while shaping a new standard for South Florida hospitality.
“There’s a history here that resonates deeply with locals,” says Colm O’Callaghan, vice president and managing director of the property. “Everybody I meet seems to have a story connected with Pier Sixty-Six.”
That connection runs very deep, from the rotating 17th-floor Pier Top lounge, where diners watched the waters of the “Venice of America” slowly drift beneath them, to Pelican Landing, a dockside hangout that welcomed boaters pulling up from the Intracoastal. The challenge, as O’Callaghan and director of marketing Marc Geller describe it, was not simply to restore what once existed, but to evolve it.
“We want to pay homage and respect the history,” Geller says, “but also ensure we’re putting a very modern, new interpretive spin on the property.”
The New Social Harbor
The result is a waterfront destination that meshes hotel, residences, marina and lifestyle offerings into one cohesive experience. The numbers signal its ambition: 325 guest rooms, 88 private residences, 12 restaurants and bars, and a members club across a 32-acre campus that evokes a luxurious waterfront village.
“The hotel can be many things to different people,” O’Callaghan says. “Families can enjoy the pools and activities, while couples might gravitate to Pier Top for drinks or a refined dinner.”
That culinary lineup is central to the experience. Signature restaurant Calusso draws inspiration from the French and Italian rivieras, while Sotogrande explores Southern Spain and the Eastern Mediterranean. Garni Café delivers an elevated brunch scene, and the Nectar Room supplies the adults-only pool area with a steady flow of cocktails and visiting mixology talent.
Positive guest feedback has centered on the accommodations and overall experience. “People love the rooms, the design, the bathrooms,” Geller says. “But beyond that, it’s the dining, the spa, the programming.”
That programming continues to shape the property. Poolside activations like the monthly Paradiso series, visiting cocktail residencies — recent takeovers have come from notable New York bars — and curated dining and wine experiences create reasons to return. At Pier Top, the emphasis has shifted toward atmosphere, pairing panoramic views with live entertainment, DJs and evolving concepts like themed high teas and potential candlelit concerts.
“It’s about bringing back the magic and mystery,” Geller says, “but doing it in a way that feels fresh.”
Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation
At Pelican Landing, slated to reopen later this year, that balance comes into focus. Once a no-frills staple perched at the edge of the marina, the new version will nod to its roots while refining the experience.
“It’s meant to feel casual [and] approachable — a South Florida fish shack spirit,” O’Callaghan says.
Menu items will echo the original, updated just enough to meet modern expectations without losing their soul. That philosophy extends across the property and informs its relationship with the local community, many of whom experienced the hotel through proms, weddings and milestone events over the decades.
“It allows us to reconnect with locals,” O’Callaghan says. “There’s a sense of pride when they come back and see what it’s become.”
Geller adds, “You see it when people walk into the lobby — the scale, the views. There’s a real sense of surprise.”
A Destination Within a Destination
Beyond its hotel offerings, Pier Sixty-Six is evolving into a lifestyle ecosystem. Residents live alongside guests, while the marina, one of the largest superyacht facilities on the Eastern Seaboard, continues to anchor the property’s identity. “We’re seeing a lot of yachting clientele who live here or come in for weekends,” O’Callaghan says. “They dock, dine and experience the resort all in one place.”
Recent additions, including large-scale sculptures from a globally significant private collection, introduce a new layer of cultural offerings across the grounds. Wellness is also expanding, with Zenova Spa & Wellness (which features the Southeast’s first aufguss-inspired sauna and the region’s first snow room) and upcoming initiatives designed to deepen the resort’s appeal as a place to reset.
As Fort Lauderdale continues its ascent as a global destination, Pier Sixty-Six is positioning itself at the center of that evolution. “We see ourselves as part of that growth,” O’Callaghan says. “Helping to establish Fort Lauderdale as a true luxury destination.”
Geller notes the distinction: “There’s really nothing else like this in the market.”
Future phases remain under wraps, but the direction is clear. “We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible,” O’Callaghan says.
