Get to know Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton.

Years ago, the distinction between Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton was pretty clear. Fort Lauderdale was an exciting college and party town, while Boca Raton was a primarily upscale retirement community. Since then, significant investment and development have transformed both cities into excellent destinations for residents of all ages and lifestyles. Fort Lauderdale has seen a growth in its arts culture as well as an influx of youth from growing universities nearby and a new population of young professional property owners. Boca Raton has also seen an influx of youth with the growth of Florida Atlantic University, as well as growing attractions for dining, nightlife, and entertainment. Both of these cities used to be in the shadow of Miami and seen as an alternative with a little more space to spread out. However, now both of these cities have developed a unique culture of their own, best suited for people of all ages. It is tough to say which city is best for you when considering a luxury condominium or single-family home purchase, as both Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale offer the very best in dining, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment. Once you take a look at the options for all of these in both cities, it is really just a matter of the pace at which you’d like to do them and if you prefer a more suburban environment to that of an emerging city.

Nightlife

Fort Lauderdale is home to some of the hottest clubs in South Florida. Many club-goers even make the trip up from Miami to attend some of these destinations, like LIV in the W hotel. The Sway Nightclub and Rooftop are also known to host top acts in the electronic music and hip-hop scene. Along with the popular dining and shopping destinations, such as Las Olas, there is a Blue Martini lounge, and a fun-themed bar called “YOLO”, because you only live once! In addition to the club scene and high-end lounges, Fort Lauderdale also offers laid-back casual hangouts like Cycle Party and the Field Irish Pub & Bar. To mention nightlife and Boca Raton in the same sentence a few years ago would likely bring out a noise complaint! However, Boca has evolved and now offers high-end nightlife, bars, and lounges on par with any city in South Florida, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Platforms Dance Club in Boca Raton is a great place to shake your groove thing to all of the old favorites from the ’70s, ’80s, & ’90s. Despite the older-themed music, this Boca hotspot attracts dancers and partygoers of all ages. The Funky Biscuit Brewery offers a laid-back environment to sample some microbrews or challenge your friends to one of the many bar games, such as darts, giant Jenga, or shoots. Mizner’s Monkey Bar, located directly in Mizner Park, is a high-end lounge offering world-class cocktails from a mixologist and experienced staff. Almost all of the high-end restaurants in Boca Raton also offer a lounge with high-end cocktails.

Restaurants

As both Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale started to add more luxury properties, the dining options have expanded dramatically. Fort Lauderdale is now seen as a premier destination for dining in South Florida and hosts some of the hottest restaurants with some of the world’s most renowned chefs. Shooters Restaurant offers stunning views right on the water while you dine. The Milk Money Bar & Kitchen serves up specialty cocktails as well as interesting New-American fare and tapas. In fact, many restaurants in Fort Lauderdale offer small plate options, as sometimes a full meal is not ideal when running around town shopping and hitting the beach. Chef Jean Pierre’s cooking school offers five-star dining options made by the school’s students, one of the best culinary institutes in the area. Boca Raton has seen an influx of home-grown restaurants and a wide option of farm-to-table options for those living a healthy lifestyle. The Farmer’s Table uses all locally sourced ingredients from South and Central Florida farms. Kapow Noodle House in Mizner Park offers up some of the best Asian-Fusion in all of South Florida with options for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean delicacies alike. Kapow is known for its outstanding pho soup, and Boca Raton has a number of outstanding pho restaurants. A simple walk down the strip in Las Olas or through Mizner Park has enough dining options to fulfill any type of craving you have. You could try a new restaurant every weekend and likely a new run out of options!

Boating

Boca Raton is home to some of South Florida’s most exclusive and functional yacht clubs. The Royal Palm Yacht Club and the Yacht Club at Marina One are equipped to handle vessels of any size, even some of the world’s largest superyachts. The canals in Boca Raton offer direct access to the Intercoastal Waterway as well as the Atlantic Ocean, as does Fort Lauderdale’s. However, Fort Lauderdale is often called “The Venice of America” because of its over 3,000 miles of canals and waterways. There are plenty of luxury condominiums and single-family homes available on the shores in both cities, complete with a dock and a boat lift for year-round storage of your vessel. If you are looking for a very pervasive boating culture and more mileage for cruising, then Fort Lauderdale is probably the best choice for you. If you’re looking for a quiet place to dock your boat or yacht with less boat traffic and easy access to major waterways, then Boca Raton is probably best for you. While both cities offer a great time out on the boat, whether it’s fishing, cruising, tubing, or taking in a sunset. Fort Lauderdale is typically seen as the more boat-active community because of the larger stretches of canals.

Shopping

Depending on what you’re shopping for how nice those things are, both Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton have excellent options. Not just for high-end fashion, but for all kinds of items ranging from jewelry, handbags, to high-end goods. Mizner Park, situated in the heart of Boca Raton, has tons of high-end options from retail stores like Tommy Bahama and Swarovski Diamonds. Boca Raton is also home to Royal Palm Plaza that hosts dozens of boutique shops and retail options for all types of fashions and products. Despite the great options for high-end shopping in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale probably has the edge when it comes to high-end shopping. Fort Lauderdale is home to Las Olas, the Galleria, and the nearby Sawgrass Mall. Each of these shopping destinations has a little something for everybody, and people from all areas of South Florida often flock to Fort Lauderdale to get some shopping done. Stores down on Las Olas range from your classic high-end brand retail stores to more niche products, like Swimworld, offering everything you need to hit the beach or boat. The strip at Las Olas is also home to a number of antique shops like Daniel’s Antiques and Amini Rug Gallery. In Boca Raton, you’ll be able to find any kind of luxury item, clothing, or jewelry you desire, but Fort Lauderdale has even more options. And the great news is, since they are just about 30 minutes apart, that buying a luxury condominium or single-family home in either city will put tons of great shopping at your fingertips!

Traffic

Since Boca Raton is a little less consolidated in layout and has fewer large multi-floor buildings, there is typically much less traffic than Fort Lauderdale, at all times of the day. While Boca Raton does experience some traffic along Glades Rd., Federal Highway and other major thoroughfares during peak hours, the level of traffic and congestion is usually higher in Fort Lauderdale, which is largely a more “metropolitan” city. On the flip side of this, the Fort Lauderdale transit system is highly regarded and functional in all areas of South Florida. It even connects to the nearby Florida Light Rail that services Fort Lauderdale airport and stops along the Florida coast. To live in Fort Lauderdale, you may not even need a car! However, if you choose to bring your vehicle, many luxury condominiums and single-family homes come with reserved residential parking spaces. While traffic can be less heavy in Boca, the neighborhood is much more spread out and does not lend itself to traveling by foot or by public transportation in many areas. Both Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale are easily accessible from I-95 as well as all other major thoroughfares in South Florida, such as Military Trail, Federal Highway, and Florida’s Turnpike. Such close proximity to these interstate roads makes traveling to other vibrant areas of South Florida, area airports, and other parts of the state quick and easy. As for air travel, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport has grown into truly an international hub of air travel, just minutes from dozens of luxury properties for sale in the city. Miami International is just about 30 minutes away as well and offers international flights but is often more congested and more difficult to park. However, if you choose to live in Boca Raton, you’ll have the option of traveling to Palm Beach Airport, about an hour’s drive to the north, or to Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International about a 30-minute drive to the south.

Healthcare

As more and more older Americans choose to settle in South Florida, in both the towns of Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, some of the nation’s best doctors and medical facilities have followed them down. South Florida is known for some of the best hospitals for both treatment and research in the country. Boca Raton is home to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Headquarters, as well as Boca Raton Regional Hospital, considered one of the best surgical centers in all of South Florida. In Fort Lauderdale, Holy Cross Hospital and Kindred Hospital are both in the heart of the city and easily accessible from any areas of South Florida. The Plantation General Hospital just west of the city also has an emergency room and urgent care services available. Additionally, the Boca is home to dozens of specialist offices and surgeons, some with seasonal residencies in Boca Raton from high-regarded New York and Northeast medical centers. If you're looking for a place for the folks, both Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale have top-notch assisted living facilities, many right along the beautiful shores of the Intracoastal Waterway or the Atlantic Ocean.

The Cuffia Group Welcomes you to:

2400 Castilla Isle. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33301

Brand new Construction! Impeccable contemporary waterfront home with 8,000SF of exemplary living. The main living area boasts 24’ ceilings, a 10’ wide floor to ceiling fireplace of marble and rough cut white oak and one of a kind backlit marble wine display. The Chef’s kitchen has masterfully cut marble creating seamless backsplashes and two 12’ islands. The kitchen is well appointed with Wolf and Sub Zero appliances, double dishwashers, ovens, and a butler’s pantry. The outdoor patio has a magnificent pool/spa and 112’ of dockage. The first floor also has a beautiful office and an amazing Jr. Master Suite. The second floor has 3 BR all with en-suite baths, a media room, and a large Master Suite with a sitting room and a stunning Master Bath featuring Dell Anno custom closets. Walking distance to famous Las Olas Boulevard, Ft. Lauderdale Beach, and a short drive to the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport.

Experience Unparalleled Elegance on the Beach

A luxury seaside haven located on 4.5 beachfront acres in Miami’s Sunny Isles Beach, Acqualina Resort & Residences is committed to the well-being and safety of our guests, team members, residents, and the community at large.

We invite you to step into a world of luxury with unprecedented accommodations and service, world-class dining destinations, including Il Mulino New York, three oceanfront swimming pools, Acqualina Spa by ESPA, spacious meeting rooms, and an innovative marine biology-based AcquaMarine program. The lush grounds feature outdoor living room settings with sumptuous furniture on Seashore Paspalum grass and are dotted with umbrellas in the resort’s signature red color and lounge chairs punctuate the blue and green hues of its natural surroundings.

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151 Isle of Venice, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33301

151 Isle of Venice Dr. # 2A Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33301 3 BD | 2 BA | 1 HB | 2,050 SF | $1,250,000 Welcome, Home! Unique waterfront lanai unit with expansive terraces and great water views. Direct access from your private terrace to pool deck with jacuzzi, BBQ area & a deeded 50' boat slip with ocean access. Amazing open spaces, contemporary wood floors, authentic brick walls, modern Italian kitchen make this home truly unique. All these complemented with a magnificent and wide outdoor living area consisting of 850 square feet of wide covered wrap-around terrace with serene & relaxing water views. Boutique, intimate building with 8 corner units, pool, spa & gym. Incredible location in the heart of East Ft. Lauderdale, walk to great restaurants and shops in Las Olas Blvd or Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Home is also available for rent! View All Listings Giancarlo Cuffia Real Estate Advisor M: 954.593.8352 O: Enter Office Phone giancarlo.cuffia@compass.com © Compass 2021 ¦ All Rights Reserved by Compass ¦ Made in NYC Not intended to solicit currently listed property. © Compass Florida, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice. marketingcenter-florida-browardcounty

161 Isle of Venice Drive. # 203. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33301

Fantastic water-views & outstanding finishes greet you at the door as you step out of your private elevator to enter this amazing home. Palms on Venice is a boutique contemporary building with only 10 residences. A 50' boat slip (15' beam) with direct ocean access makes this home very unique. Every room opens to expansive terraces for relaxing or entertaining. Finishes include ceramic tile throughout, open concept kitchen with Italian cabinetry, upgraded Bosh appliances with an espresso machine, quartz waterfall island, wine cellar, motorized window treatment on all upper and lower windows & summer kitchen. Expansive pool with seating area, 2-parking spaces. Amazing location, walk to the beach or Las Olas Blvd & only minutes from the Fort Lauderdale Int airport. Low HOA fees. Must see it!

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