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Photographs June 24, 2006
 
 

Closed
During July of 2006 demolition prep work will have begun in earnest at Fort Lauderdale. By the end of June the property had been fenced off and its Restaurant had been decapitated--its cupola sadly placed behind the Motor Lodge.

An article published in the Orlando Sun-Sentinel (June 28, 2006) quoted Transacata Prive Developers' president as claiming that Hurricane Wilma (October 2005) is what did Fort Lauderdale in. However the developer had purchased the property in August '05 and had already begun the process of permitting to demolish and replace it with the 200 foot tall Orion Resort.
 
 
 
 
Right: Insider's view of the guts of a spire cupola! The plywood in the foreground was where the "fins" are on the outside, and the darker area in the background is the inside of the spire. Note that the interior of the spire had been outfitted with extensive neon tubing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Spring Break's End
According to plans, Fort Lauderdale will be razed by the beginning of October 2006. Additionally, other adjacent properties were also purchased and will be demolished.

A large project, it is estimated that the new square block in footprint and 20-story tall luxury resort complex will take three years to complete. Part hotel and part condo, room rates will start at $600 per night.
 
 
 
Although Hurricane Wilma did damage the Howard Johnson, it appeared mostly cosmetic. Remarkably everything was still mostly in place from when the HoJo's had closed in 2005--even the guest rooms still contained furnishings. Unfortunately a group of rabber rousers had taken up residence inside the closed hotel's lobby so it was impossible to peer in or even get close without creating a commotion.
 
 
 
 
 
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