Fort Lauderdale is considering six proposals from developers to construct a new city hall, following the destruction of its previous government center due to flooding in 2023. The former eight-story building, completed in 1969, was rendered unusable after record rainfall led to water entering the basement. City staff have since been working from leased offices.
In May, Meridiam Infrastructure North America, known for projects such as the PortMiami Tunnel and affiliated with Paris-based Meridiam, submitted an unsolicited proposal to partner with Fort Lauderdale on a new city hall. In accordance with state law, the city opened a window for other developers to submit their plans by August 5.
Balfour Beatty, based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and recognized as a global infrastructure firm, offered three options designed by Kobi Karp and DLR Group. The first option proposes a 250,000-square-foot city hall including a library and small commercial space. The second adds more floors for retail or office leasing beyond city use. The third expands further into a campus model that incorporates residential or commercial uses along with one of the initial two options. Balfour Beatty targets mid-2028 for completion.
Meridiam’s three Zyscovich-designed options range from a seven-story baseline plan of 200,000 square feet with limited shared spaces and a two-story podium, up to a 12-story building covering 340,000 square feet featuring services like child care and wellness facilities within up to three podium stories. A middle option offers ten stories and 275,000 square feet with smaller commission chambers than the largest proposal. Projected capital expenditures are between $172 million and $292 million. Completion of commission chambers is anticipated by late 2028; full buildout would be finished in 2029.
A consortium led by Plenary Group from Melbourne, Australia proposes an oval-shaped ten-story structure designed by Palma and PGAL architecture firms. This design covers about 196,000 square feet at an estimated cost of $280 million with completion expected in late 2028.
Gilbane Development Company’s plan features Arquitectonica’s design highlighted by a wave-like awning. Gilbane intends to build a hurricane-resistant structure standing at 229 feet tall that focuses on energy efficiency and public spaces; it aims for completion in 2027.
Industry Grade Construction Group has not specified an architect or project dimensions but expects delivery in 2028 using fully private financing without upfront city expenditure.
Cypress West—led by Sheldon Gross—suggests dividing operations across two campuses: back office functions would relocate to an existing police department building at 1515 West Cypress Creek Road located in an X flood zone (areas considered least likely to experience flooding). A new roughly 100,000-square-foot building would be constructed at the original downtown site; final details would be determined collaboratively with the city. “Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all financing approach, our development team will work collaboratively with [the city] to explore various financing structures,” according to Cypress West’s application. This proposal also projects completion in 2028.
The selection process comes after significant disruption caused by flooding which forced demolition of the old city hall last November and displacement of municipal operations.
