Several names have been attached to the property on the west side of Federal Highway just north of East Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. It previously was called the Clarion Inn and The Link hotel.
Soon, a developer wants it to have a couple of new names. In documents and on signs, it’s The Cove in Fort Lauderdale. To the people who will live there, it will be home.
The hotel building, at 1055 N. Federal Highway, has been demolished.
The site developer, Affiliated Development, couldn’t be reached for comment in recent days. But Jeff Burns, founder and CEO of Affiliated Development, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel last year, “We were very eager to get that going.”
Already, signs were posted promising a new future for the bustling location. The Cove is, according to plans filed with the city and Broward County, a multistory residential redevelopment with 376 units, some of which are being set aside as affordable housing. The site plans also call for 2,500 square feet of commercial space.
The street crossing just south of the site is one of the county’s busiest: Southbound drivers merge from U.S. 1 to head west on Sunrise Boulevard, then merge onto another stretch of U.S. 1 to continue heading south.
Officials estimate the Cove will add 12 students to nearby schools.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Twitter (X) @OlmedaNews.