A Brief History of Pier Sixty-Six
Pier Sixty-Six traces its roots to the mid-1950s, when Phillips Petroleum established a marine fuel operation on the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. The name itself came from Phillips 66. The site quickly evolved beyond a fuel dock: a yacht basin was developed, followed by a restaurant and yacht club, and eventually a hotel. (Pier Sixty-Six Redevelopment)
The defining chapter came in the 1960s. The original 17-story Pier Sixty-Six tower opened in 1965, becoming one of Fort Lauderdale’s most recognizable landmarks. Its distinctive mid-century architecture and revolving Pier Top lounge gave the property a remarkable presence on the city’s skyline and helped establish Pier Sixty-Six as a destination for visitors, boaters, celebrities, and the South Florida social scene.
So, depending upon where one marks its beginning, Pier Sixty-Six has been part of Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront story for roughly 70 years, while the iconic tower itself has stood for approximately 61 years.
The Tavistock transformation
Tavistock Development Company acquired the principal Pier Sixty-Six property in 2016 for approximately $163 million and subsequently acquired the neighboring Sails property for another $24 million, bringing the combined acquisition cost to approximately $187 million. The assemblage ultimately became a 32-acre waterfront property.
The redevelopment was far more ambitious than a conventional hotel renovation. Tavistock undertook a comprehensive transformation of the property, including:
restoration and modernization of the historic Pier Sixty-Six tower;
a new 325-room resort;
the property’s first private residences;
a substantially reimagined superyacht marina;
new restaurants, retail, event and wellness facilities;
extensive waterfront improvements and public spaces.
The marina itself was not simply constructed from scratch. The historic marina remained operational during the redevelopment, while Tavistock upgraded and expanded the waterfront infrastructure, including new docks and lighting and dredging to improve navigation. The completed marina now encompasses approximately 164 slips and 5,000 linear feet of dockage, accommodating yachts of up to 400 feet.
How much did the transformation cost?
The most consistently reported figure for the overall redevelopment is approximately $1 billion. Tavistock and multiple reputable publications describe the project as a $1 billion redevelopment or transformation.
There was also a $175 million construction loan secured in 2023 from a group of banks led by HSBC. That figure should not be confused with the total development cost. It was construction financing, not the project’s entire budget.
And there is an important distinction concerning the residences: there does not appear to be a reliable public source breaking the $1 billion figure into separate costs for the marina, resort, historic tower, and new residential buildings. I would therefore not state that, for example, “$X million was spent building the residences” unless we have a documented source for that specific figure.
The result
The first phase ultimately produced a remarkable waterfront destination combining the historic tower with a new resort, marina, and 88 private residences across three residential structures. The resort welcomed its first guests in January 2025, while the final residential building, Indigo, was completed in September 2025.
In other words, Pier Sixty-Six is not a newly invented waterfront development that happens to carry an old name. It is a historic Fort Lauderdale landmark, dating to the 1950s, that has been comprehensively reimagined through a roughly $1 billion transformation.
A Fort Lauderdale landmark for nearly seven decades, Pier Sixty-Six began in the 1950s as a Phillips 66 marine fuel dock and evolved into one of the city’s most celebrated waterfront destinations. The iconic 17-story tower opened in 1965, with its distinctive architecture and revolving Pier Top lounge soon becoming synonymous with Fort Lauderdale’s maritime character and social life.
Acquired by Tavistock Development Company in 2016, Pier Sixty-Six has since undergone an extraordinary transformation spanning 32 acres of Intracoastal waterfront. With an investment of approximately $1 billion, the historic property has been reimagined with a new 325-room resort, a revitalized superyacht marina, private residences, dining, wellness, and carefully considered waterfront amenities, while preserving the character of its most enduring landmark.
Today, Pier Sixty-Six represents the meeting of history and contemporary coastal living: a landmark shaped by Fort Lauderdale’s maritime heritage and renewed for a new generation.
Pier Sixty-Six – Edmund DeSoto
Introducing Pier Sixty-Six Residences, an exceptional collection of private waterfront residences at one of Fort Lauderdale’s most distinguished addresses in the yachting capital of the world.
Set along 32 acres of prime Intracoastal waterfront, Pier Sixty-Six brings together sophisticated residences, a celebrated superyacht marina, exceptional dining, and an array of thoughtfully curated resort services. Reimagined by the Tavistock Group, the property represents a considered new chapter for one of South Florida’s most recognised waterfront destinations.
The collection comprises just 93 bespoke residences, with expansive views across Fort Lauderdale’s marina and waterways. Designed with a focus on privacy, ease, and exceptional quality, each residence offers a refined setting from which to enjoy the best of coastal South Florida.
Owners will have access to a private collection of members-only amenities and services, creating an elevated yet effortless lifestyle centred on the water, the marina, and the vibrant character of Fort Lauderdale.
For more than six decades, Pier Sixty-Six has been part of the fabric of Fort Lauderdale. Its transformation brings renewed distinction to this landmark address while preserving the maritime character that has made it enduringly significant.
Edmund DeSoto
Global Real Estate Professional
ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
M: 561.346.4495
For a private presentation, current availability, and pricing opportunities, please provide your contact information and preferred telephone number.
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