Fort Lauderdale Beach is Not What it Used to Be

MIAMI—Fort Lauderdale Beach is not what it used to be—and the Motwani family is partially responsible. Dev and Nitin Motwani are the second-generation brains behind Merrimac Ventures, a family business launched 30 years ago by the late Ramesh Motwani and his wife Ramola, who now heads the firm.

Merrimac operates hotels, retail, office, and rental properties across the country, and has a special interest in Fort Lauderdale. GlobeSt.com caught up with Dev Motwani, president of the family business, to get his take on how Fort Lauderdale Beach has changed over the years and how the North Beach Village district is balancing new development with its laid-back vibe in part one of this exclusive interview series.

GlobeSt.com: Your family has a long history of developing along Fort Lauderdale Beach. How has the neighborhood changed over the years?

Motwani: My parents relocated our family from Missouri to Fort Lauderdale Beach in the late 80s, around the time that the city put an end to its annual Spring Break festivities. Tourism on the beach declined for a number of years, but things began to pick up after a decade as the city, Visitors Bureau and local business owners, including my father, collaborated to reposition the area as an upscale destination for families.

It has been a nearly 20 year journey, but things are coming full circle now that the destination has achieved its vision. Our family is developing our last remaining Spring Break-era properties into the Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences, which is symbolic of Fort Lauderdale's transformation. 

We are also doing the Gale Boutique Hotel & Residences, and one of our family's former projects is currently being redeveloped as the Conrad. My brother, Nitin, and his partners are also building the Paramount condo on the beach.

GlobeSt.com: Fort Lauderdale Beach's North Beach Village district has a distinct architectural heritage. How is the area balancing the arrival of new development with its laid-back vibe?

Motwani: There are certainly some notable buildings in the area, and the North Beach Village Group has done a great job renovating and restoring a number of them. Many are small two- and three-story motels that are being upgraded with modern finishes and amenities while keeping the charm of the smaller village feel.

That's why we've decided to revive the original Escape Hotel as the Gale Boutique Hotel & Residences. The architecture is an important part of this neighborhood's story, so we are excited to be restoring and preserving one of the most iconic buildings in the neighborhood. With the addition of the Four Seasons, Conrad and Gale as well as other projects in the works, we need to find a balance between new and existing properties and create amenities that bring the neighborhood to life.