Billionaire Jeffrey Soffer’s proposal to add cabanas and waterslides to the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort is facing increasing opposition from city officials, residents, activists, and preservationists. The plan, which would introduce a large water park-style feature to the historic 1,593-room hotel at 4441 Collins Avenue, is set for a vote by the city’s Historic Preservation Board on February 10.
Mayor Steven Meiner has publicly opposed the project. After a meeting of the MidBeach Neighborhood Association, Meiner posted on Instagram: “The resident outcry against this project over traffic, noise, and neighborhood impacts has been understandably loud, and I share these concerns.” In an interview with The Real Deal, he said that feedback from constituents has been overwhelmingly negative. “It is hard to find a resident who is supportive of the project,” Meiner said.
The decision on whether the renovation moves forward will be made by the Historic Preservation Board rather than the city commission. The board postponed its vote in November to allow Fontainebleau Development—Soffer’s company based in Aventura—to revise its plans. The new proposal reduces the cabana structure from three stories to two and lowers the waterslide tower from twelve stories to ten.
Fontainebleau Development stated that community input was considered in making these changes. Senior vice president Anthony Stahl explained during a Zoom meeting that upgrading poolside amenities could help increase nightly room rates and fund maintenance of the main historic building designed by Morris Lapidus.
Stahl addressed concerns about public access to the new amenities. He emphasized that they are intended for hotel guests rather than day visitors but acknowledged that day passes would grant access to the waterslides as well. Stahl described the renovations as an effort to shift away from a party atmosphere toward a more family-oriented environment: “We don’t want to have adults popping bottles, partying, loud music,” he said. “The intent is for all that to go away.”
Some local leaders remain skeptical about these assurances. Marc Weiss, an attorney and city resident, called it “the greatest threat facing Miami Beach today.” He argued that public access would turn the area into an attraction similar to a theme park: “Theme parks bring a ratchet crowd,” Weiss said. “It’s tacky.”
City Commissioner Tonya Bhatt also criticized the proposed changes: “Morris Lapidus would be turning in his grave,” Bhatt said. “We are united, we are angry, we are going to fight this…This is unthinkable.”
