Fort Lauderdale vs. Miami Beach: The Ultimate Waterfront Living Showdown
Fort Lauderdale and Miami Beach offer two distinct expressions of South Florida waterfront living. Fort Lauderdale’s canal-woven landscape favors yacht ownership, privacy, and a gentler residential rhythm, while Miami Beach delivers high-energy oceanfront glamour, a global cultural calendar, and brand-led towers. Both markets now feature expansive, service-rich residences that blend resort convenience with private-club discretion. This editorial compares ambiance, water access, and the marquee developments reshaping each skyline to help you decide which shoreline fits your lifestyle.
Top 10 Luxury Developments with Private Beach Clubs in South Florida
South Florida’s newest wave of ultra-luxury development is defined by private beach clubs reserved solely for owners. From Aman Miami Beach and The Shore Club Private Collection to Rosewood Hillsboro Beach, Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria in Pompano, Bentley and St. Regis in Sunny Isles, Una in Brickell and Five Park in South Beach, these projects combine architectural pedigree with resort-level services. This curated top-10 ranking highlights how each development delivers its own version of turnkey, toes-in-the-sand living for a highly discerning global buyer.
Top 5 Ultra-Luxury Penthouses Currently on the Market in Miami Beach
Miami Beach’s trophy-penthouse moment has arrived. From a $150 million crown at the reborn Raleigh to invitation-only sky estates on Fisher Island, five exceptional residences now define the city’s new pinnacle. These homes combine vast indoor-outdoor square footage, landmark design pedigrees, and full-service privacy that rivals elite global markets. Below, we detail the five standouts across South Beach, Mid-Beach, South of Fifth, and Fisher Island, and outline the nuanced considerations that matter when acquiring a true sky estate in Miami Beach’s most rarefied tier.
The Perigon Miami Beach: Redefining Oceanfront Minimalism
An OMA-designed, 17-story tower on a rare two-acre ocean-to-bay site, The Perigon Miami Beach distills luxury to essentials: light, proportion and privacy. With just 73 homes, Tara Bernerd & Partners' interiors, deep wraparound terraces, and a base elevated about 45 feet, the building frames uninterrupted views while creating a garden-level resort. Residents enjoy a Shaun Hergatt restaurant, speakeasy, spa, fitness, wine room, screening room, and eight guest suites, plus 200 feet of private beach and a 25-meter pool.
Pre-Construction Buying Tips for International Buyers Investing in South Florida
South Florida continues to attract international capital to its ultra-luxury condo pipeline thanks to tax advantages, world-class amenities, and global connectivity. For overseas buyers, purchasing during pre-construction can lock in early pricing, preferred lines, and customization while a seasoned local team manages risk and process. This guide distills how deposits and escrow work, what to look for in a developer and branded partners, how foreign national financing and FIRPTA apply, and the lifestyle and exit considerations that keep prime addresses in Miami, Miami Beach, and Sunny Isles Beach in enduring demand.
