Renowned architect Bjarke Ingels
behind bold Marina Lofts proposal
But some Fort
Lauderdale residents say development would be out of place
Marina Lofts, a proposed $150 million development proposed
for a blighted stretch along the south side of the New River in Fort
Lauderdale.
One of the three Lego-like buildings looks as if a lightning bolt tore through it. Several blocks appear to have fallen off the top of another building. The blocks serve as a bridge, allowing pedestrians to cross an existing water basin.
The design for the mix of boutique shops, quaint cafes and
1,000 rentals targeting young professionals is the creation of Bjarke Ingels, a
renowned Danish architect.
"Well, you've got to admit, it's not a boring
elevation," said Helene Dreiling, president-elect of the American
Institute of Architects in Washington, D.C. "That's pretty cool. This is a
real opportunity for transformation. This could be the catalyst for other
projects that are of a higher design quality."
Developer Asi Cymbal, 43, insists Marina Lofts will be a
dramatic addition to the skyline and draw international attention to Fort
Lauderdale – if it's approved. Cymbal hopes to get the city's blessing this
spring. Construction would begin next year, with the first of three phases
opening in 2015.
"We're not interested in building another ordinary
box," says Cymbal, a native of Israel and an aficionado of art and
architecture.
He put together a list of about 10 architects worldwide and
eventually hired Ingels, who won the Wall Street Journal's Innovator of the
Year award for architecture in 2011. Ingels, 38, "has a reputation for
creating eco-friendly spaces with playful design touches," the paper said.
One of his projects is a large Copenhagen apartment
community in the shape of a figure 8. He's also planning a Phoenix observation
tower shaped like a honey dipper.
"I like to say, 'Where there is nothing, everything is
possible,'" Ingels said. "A lot of South Florida real estate
development is characterized by large, preconceived condominiums designed
without much response to their surroundings. We're trying to tap into what we
see as the heritage or legacy of South Florida."
But some nearby residents aren't impressed, saying the size
and unusual design would be out of place in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
"Absolutely ridiculous," said Kevin Barrett, a
58-year-old painter. "This is so Miami. I ain't living by that."
He and other neighbors also oppose Marina Lofts because it
would displace a treasured rain tree.
Cymbal said he can safely move the massive tree a block away
to a park he's creating at the entrance to Marina Lofts. Local arborists have
said a move could damage or kill the tree, but Cymbal said he's willing to post
a $1 million bond in the event something were to happen.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler said the development has
the potential to be iconic – but he doesn't want it overshadowing the New River
and the riverfront. Seiler said he suggested to Cymbal that he scale back the
project.
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