The Hollywood Beach Difference

If you’re familiar with South Florida, you’ll know that the view of many beaches is hidden by row upon row of high-rise buildings. Attractive boardwalks, which are essentially pedestrian streets right at beach level, are a rare commodity here. Anyone who knows the magnificent seaside promenades in cities like Rio, Atlantic City, Venice Beach, will wonder why they are so rare in South Florida.

Among the few exceptions are South Beach and Hollywood Beach.

If you like walking while breathing in the salty breeze, a lazy stroll under the shade of palm trees, the occasional beer and snacks at an outdoor table, and people watching, Hollywood Beach is where you want to be. Not as “sexy” and trendy as South Beach, Hollywood Beach, however, has retained much of its natural flavor and laid-back feel of old Florida, while keeping up with the times. New pavement, sidewalks and artistic boundaries of the beach, a recently spruced up bike path, rest areas and mini-parks, a new attitude in restoring old store fronts with contemporary architecture, are slowly transforming the beach.

The famous pizzerias, catering to Canadian tourists, with their prix fixe for pitchers of beer and large pizzas, are still here. But new and trendy restaurants are springing up. French, Italian, Turkish, Argentinean, Cuban restaurants, wells combined with small ice cream parlors and sports bars.

There are some buildings just above or very close to the boardwalk. I can mention Baker Tower, La Playa, Crystal Tower, Mainsail, Nautilus, among just a few available. The only new construction is the luxurious Villas of Positano. Remember that the construction of mid-rise or high-rise structures is severely restricted here.

However, if you still want to be within walking distance of this great beach area, there are a few more high-rise condo options, right on the beach side of Ocean Drive. Newer construction includes Trump Hollywood condominiums, Diplomat Residences, Ocean Palms. Good options are: The Wave Condominiums, a condominium conversion, the Quadomain Complex and its four buildings: Brittania, Catania, Grenoble and Valencia. Also worth mentioning are the Sea-Air tower, the Alexander towers, the tides at Hollywood Beach, the residences, the Summit condominiums, the Waterway. At the beginning of Hollywood Beach and bordering Hallandale Beach, the Sian is a condo conversion that has gutted an old building and completely renovated all units. I would seriously consider it. Across the street from the beach, and on the intracoastal waters, I’ll mention the Hallmark, a large complex, as well as the two Allington Towers.

Of course, there are many more buildings and prices are down since the boom years ended in 2005.

A great opportunity to own a piece of Florida is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Think about it: where else can you buy, starting at $200,000 or even less, a nice two-bedroom apartment in this prime destination and right on the beach? Even in underdeveloped countries, these prices would attract attention. Remember, this is not Costa Rica, Panama or Angola. You’re talking about South Florida, and right in the middle of some of the best action. Close to some of the best shopping in the world. Casinos, racetracks, great shopping malls, South Beach, Aventura, Sunny Isles, you are in the center of it all.

Downtown Hollywood is just a few blocks west of the beach. It hasn’t become the second South Beach yet, but it gets better every day, or even better at night. Nightclubs and cafes, restaurants and sports bars, musicians and outdoor seating, and of course, year-round warm weather. Proximity to the natural beauties of the Everglades, the warm waters of the Atlantic, fishing and sand. Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale is just a few minutes’ drive away. Little Havana with its memories and South American landscapes; Palm Beach, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables and their magnificent mansions and gardens. Hollywood luxury homes and Hollywood lakes. Could you ask for a more pleasant environment? Or a better location for your vacation condo?

I am a fan of Hollywood. As many will discover every day, it’s easy to make it your home. And it has that homey feeling in every corner. We all hope we can keep it the same for many years to come, avoiding overdevelopment and disproportionate construction.