Jan 23, 2009 8:51 am US/Eastern
Waldorf Astoria Plans Hotel In Ft. Lauderdale
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
When you think Waldorf Astoria, you think luxury, class and elegance. Now, the granddaddy of luxury hotels could find a new home here in South Florida. But while some Broward residents say the Waldorf Astoria isn't welcome, others disagree.
"(It will) bring class, a lot of money, a lot of affluent people to the area," said Evan Watson while walking on Fort Lauderdale beach.
Developers plan to build the hotel on the same property as the well know Bahia Mar, plus add two residential towers and a public park.
"The name Waldorf is all over the place, in movies and what not, " said MJ Thyken. She thinks having a hotel like that on the beach would definitely attact tourists.
But not everyone is circling the welcome wagon.
"We're concerned with the massiveness of the project," complained Anne Hilmer. She lives in the exclusive Idelwyld neighborhood on the other side of the intracoastal from the project.
Hilmer and her neighbors are concerned the hotel will be too big for the area and that open air restaurants on the water will bring a lot of noise.
"It would be like having one of the big party ships that go up and down the intracoastal during season, being out there all the time."
Hilmer also points out the land is not owned by the hotel. It is owned by the city and leased by the hotel. Hilmer thinks it can be used better. The city commission has not decided on the project yet. When the commission does look at it, it will also hold public hearings. That is expected in the next several months.
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