Representatives for the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort, owned by billionaire Jeffrey Soffer, have delayed a key vote on proposed upgrades to the property’s pool area. The Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board was scheduled to decide whether to approve or deny the resort’s application to add cabanas and waterslides at its 1,593-room location at 4441 Collins Avenue. However, the board voted unanimously to postpone consideration of the proposal after one member, Haskel Meyer, was absent.
A spokesperson for Fontainebleau Miami Beach explained the decision in a statement: “The Fontainebleau team was fully prepared to present the proposal and welcomed the opportunity for dialogue. But requested a deferral so the full board could be present to consider the item during a future meeting this summer.”
The meeting drew significant public attention, with many residents filling the City Commission chambers holding signs opposing the project. Supporters of Fontainebleau Miami Beach were also present. Security personnel escorted some residents from the room after they called for an immediate vote.
Alicia Casanova, president of the master condo association for nearby Blue Diamond and Green Diamond condominiums, criticized the delay. “Asking for a deferral because of one missing board member was an excuse,” Casanova told The Real Deal after the meeting. She added that officials from Fontainebleau Miami Beach “got scared of losing. It’s unacceptable.”
Anamarie Ferreira de Melo, who leads the MidBeach Neighborhood Association (MBNA), said most members oppose plans for new pool amenities due to concerns about increased traffic and impacts on planned infrastructure work along Collins Avenue. “MBNA has always supported development that is compatible and that is thoughtful for our community,” Ferreira de Melo said. “For this one, we’re unable to do so. Of course, traffic is something that gets everybody very upset. It’s a trigger for anyone who lives in Mid-Beach.”
This postponement marks at least three delays by city officials regarding these renovations since November. At previous meetings, developers agreed to meet with neighborhood groups and make adjustments based on resident feedback; updates included reducing both cabana size and waterslide tower height.
Despite revisions—such as lowering cabana structures from two stories down to 1.4 stories and cutting waterslide tower height from 131 feet to 99 feet—many residents remain opposed.
Fontainebleau Development has launched a public relations effort similar in scope to campaigns usually reserved for projects requiring voter approval on public land. Political consultant Christian Ulvert was hired; he previously managed successful campaigns for several local mayors.
In addition, polling firm MDW Communications surveyed 305 Miami Beach voters last month about awareness of—and attitudes toward—the renovation plans: 39 percent had heard some details about it while another 24 percent had heard a lot; when presented with specifics about proposed changes, responses were mixed—31 percent strongly supported them while 18 percent strongly opposed them.
According to a statement from Fontainebleau representatives: “The Fontainebleau proposal is about reinvesting in one of Miami Beach’s most iconic landmarks in a way that honors its history while preparing it for the future… All while maintaining the property’s existing footprint, without increasing density or adding traffic.”
Mark Weiss—a local attorney critical of both project and PR campaign—called efforts by developers “manufactured propaganda.” He added: “The swell of opposition is like something never before seen… The manufactured fake public support vanished very quickly and ran for the hills.”
