Symbol of Luxury by Bayrock Group Holds by Tevfik Arif

The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Fort Lauderdale was designed in part by Tevfik Arif and his Bayrock Group. This $200 million, 24-story project was created to be a symbol of luxury.

The building, which has since been developed as the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Resort and Residences, was planned to have 298 condo hotel units. The units were to be comprised of 150 studios, 73 two-bedrooms and 75 one-bedroom units, each with its own large terrace.

The building boasts 200 feet of direct ocean frontage. The building was originally intended to have 25-floors, but in order to accommodate the 9ft high ceilings, the height had to be scaled down.

The original Trump International Hotel and Tower was to be developed by Roy Stillman, Donald Trump and the Bayrock Group and was expected to be as luxurious as Manhattan’s 1 Central Park West condo hotel. Prominent architects Oscar Garcia and Michael Graves designed the building.

The building’s entry was to contain a marble adorned circular atrium which would stand 25 ft high and include hotel services that would exceed five-star standards.

Studios, one- and two-bedroom units would have been between 530 and 4,000 square feet. Most of the units were planned to be 600 square feet. The building was designed to maximize the views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Virtually every room was planned to have a sea -view from its large private terrace.

The residence was planned to contain a great deal of luxurious features. Units were to feature wall-to-wall Italian marble flooring, as well as windows that allowed expansive views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean. Bathrooms were to have four- and five-fixture options, with separate showers and tubs as well as marble vanities.

Units were to also come with flat-screen TVs and fully equipped kitchens with high-end appliances. Each residence would include a private storage closet, wireless Internet, and voice and data capabilities.

The team envisioned luxurious common areas, with a 1,600 square foot mosaic pool and sun deck that overlooked the ocean. Residents would have been able to relax and pamper themselves at a 3,000 square foot health club and spa. The blue-prints also included a 1,700 square foot fitness center with personal trainers and high-end equipment. This was just the tip of the iceberg. Plans for a world-class restaurant with stunning ocean views was also in the. The restaurant would have had both indoor and outdoor seating.

Residents would have had access to a 24-hour white glove concierge, security and valet service.

The interior design of the units was inspired by 1920s French cruise liners, like the Ile de France and Normandie.

Construction began in July 2005, with Trump lending his name for the project through a licensing deal. In 2009 Trump removed his name from the project due to developmental delays and a breach in the licensing agreement.

The building went into foreclosure in March 2010 and was sold at an auction in 2012. After several ownership changes and a $70 million renovation, the project officially re-opened in October 2017. Shortly after, poor real estate conditions led to the project’s demise, as a result of America’s economic recession.

Long before the project was even envisioned, the property was occupied by Merrimac and Gold Coast hotels since the 1950’s . In 2001, the condo hotel project was approved for the site.

The project was considered to be an essential component transforming the area into an upper-class tourist destination.

In December 2013, CFLB Partnership LLC purchased the property for $115 million. The Conrad Fort Lauderdale resort, which currently occupies the property, contains a mix of studios, one- and two-bedroom units, as well as three penthouses. Units are equipped with gallery kitchens that have touchscreen stovetops and bathrooms with rainfall showers and marble tubs.

The luxury property features a restaurant with sweeping panoramic views and oceanfront dining. Guests can also relax at the cocktail lounge or dine at the poolside grill. A gourmet food market is also on-site, and room service is available 24 hours a day.

The full-service spa offers a personalized experience for guests, with options for couples.

The condo-hotel units are professionally managed and rented out to visitors during the time that the owners are out of town. Revenues from the rentals are shared with the owners.

The now-completed property contains many of the same amenities originally planned for the property. This includes a 4,000 square-foot, full-service spa, a 20,000-square-foot sky deck, a heated swimming-pool, cabanas, and a high-end fitness center. The property also contains a 10,000 square feet meeting space.

Despite all the setbacks and delays, the oceanfront property is still a symbol of luxury in Fort Lauderdale and has played an integral role in reviving the area.

Melissa Thompson writes about a wide range of topics, revealing interesting things we didn’t know before. She is a freelance USA Today producer, and a Technorati contributor.