Billionaire Jeffrey Soffer’s proposal to add a water park to the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort is set for review by the Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board next week. The board will consider whether to approve or deny redevelopment plans for the outdoor pool area of the 1,504-room hotel located at 4441 Collins Avenue.
Fontainebleau Development, affiliated with Soffer and based in Aventura, has requested 11 variances from city regulations. These would allow for the construction of 11 waterslides connected to a proposed 12-story structure, a children’s play pool, new and refurbished bathrooms, cabanas, and other support spaces. According to a letter of intent filed with the city on September 11, “An affiliate of Soffer’s Aventura-based Fontainebleau Development is seeking 11 variances in order to make room for 11 waterslides, a kid’s play pool, refurbished and new bathrooms, cabanas, and associated supporting spaces.”
Among the requested changes are eliminating existing 10-foot setbacks at the rear of the property to build a two-story structure with additional cabanas and bathrooms. The company also seeks approval to reduce open space near beach sand dunes and place decks, patios, and beach furniture within ten feet of any beach erosion control line.
If approved by the board, Fontainebleau Development anticipates completing construction on the water park next year.
Jeffrey Soffer assumed ownership of Fontainebleau Miami Beach after dividing real estate assets with his sister Jackie Soffer in 2019. In 2024, he secured $1.2 billion in refinancing for the property. The historic hotel was originally designed by architect Morris Lapidus and opened in 1954. It occupies a fifteen-acre site featuring eleven pools, a large spa facility covering forty thousand square feet, twelve food and beverage venues including Liv nightclub, as well as three residential towers.
In addition to these developments at Fontainebleau Miami Beach last year, Fontainebleau Development finished building a five-story business center adjacent to the resort at 4360 and 4370 Collins Avenue. This facility connects directly to Tresor Tower via skybridge.
