Billionaire Jeffrey Soffer’s plan for a water park at his Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort could splash into approval — or denial — by a key city board next week.
The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board is set to vote on Tuesday on the planned redevelopment of the 1,504-room oceanfront hotel’s outdoor pool area. The waterpark would be open to the public for yet undetermined fees. The property is at 4441 Collins Avenue.
An affiliate of Soffer’s Aventura-based Fontainebleau Development is seeking 11 variances in order to make room for 11 waterslides, a kid’s play pool, refurbished and new bathrooms, cabanas, and associated supporting spaces,” according to a Sept. 11 letter of intent filed with the city of Miami Beach. Renderings show the waterslides are connected to a 12-story structure.
The variances include a request to eliminate 10-foot setbacks at the rear of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach to make room for a new two-story structure that will have new cabanas and bathrooms. Soffer’s firm is also seeking to reduce the amount of open space near sand dunes on the beach, and permission to place decks, patios and beach furniture within a 10-foot setback from any beach erosion control line.
Should the board approve the variances, Fontainebleau Development expects to complete the water park next year.
When Soffer and his sister, Jackie Soffer, split their real estate holdings and projects into two companies in 2019, he took ownership of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.
Last year, Soffer secured a $1.2 billion refinancing for Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which includes the original curved hotel designed by architect Morris Lapidus. Opened in 1954, the hotel sits on 15 acres and includes 11 pools, a 40,000-square-foot spa and 12 food and beverage venues, including Liv nightclub. The site also includes three residential towers.
Also last year, Fontainebleau Development completed a five-story business center on a lot at 4360 and 4370 Collins Avenue, adjacent to the Miami Beach resort. The facility is connected to the Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s Tresor Tower via a skybridge.
