Acquisition and renovation of historic Miami Beach Hotel

Since 1978, Bilzin Sumberg attorneys have played an instrumental role in the acquisition, ownership and ultimate redevelopment of the flagship Fontainebleau Hotel, handling acquisition, real estate development, historic preservation, hotel management, and land use and zoning issues. Bilzin Sumberg obtained the initial zoning approval for a massive redevelopment in 1997 which was completed with the hotel's grand re-opening in late 2008. Representation included the development of a 460-suite condo tower and a 550-room hotel tower, and the complete renovation and restoration of the original hotel, which was designed by renowned architect Morris Lapidus. The renovated project has over 1,800 rooms, 8 restaurants and 150,000 square feet of meeting space. The team handled over 25 public hearings before the City of Miami Beach which resulted in numerous approvals permitting the restoration and expansion of the existing hotel building.