Sailboat Bend was designed to be one of the first Fort Lauderdale working class neighborhoods. 

 

Sailboat Bend was settled along a sharp curve on the North Bank of the New River which is it's southern boundary.  The northern boundary is what is now SW 2 Street.  East and West boundaries are SW 7 Avenue west and SW 11 Avenue.

 

The majority of the Sailboat Bend homes were built in the 1920's to early 1930's.  There are a few larger estate style properties on the banks of the New River, but most of the homes in Sailboat Bend are not waterfront homes. 

In 1899 William H. Marshall established a homestead along the New River, purchased land and became one of the largest produce farmers in the area.  William H. Marshall was elected the first Mayor of Fort Lauderdale.  In 1912 he was re-elected and went on to serve 2 terms as Broward County's first State Representative.  He was the first in south Florida to sell his produce by mail order.  He was one of the early proponents of a deep water port to allow more trade to move in and out of the area by sea.  He was also one of the earliest developers of Ft Lauderdale Real Estate and just as importantly, Ft Lauderdale Residential Real Estate!

Unfortunately, by the mid 1970's Sailboat Bend had declined to a point where government agencies wrote the area off as "a lost cause", with one of the highest crime rates in the city.

 

In the late 1970's a group of concerned residents and property owners decided to get together and fight back. 

The Sailboat Bend Civic Association was formed in 1980 with the primary goal of cleaning up the neighborhood and eliminating crime and deterioration element. 

After successfully regaining control of the neighborhood they began some fix-up and landscaping for "curb appeal".

In the late 1980's Sailboat Bend Civic Association launched a public relations campaign to "get the word out" about this wonderful, historic enclave of beautiful Ft Lauderdale Real Estate amidst a century old native tree canopy. 

This is a prize neighborhood in the world of Ft Lauderdale real estate, with some of the oldest and most important historic homes in the county. 

In 1988 the first House and Garden Tour was held.  The idea was to attract and educate Fort Lauderdale's residents about the revitalization and beauty of the area.  The House and Garden Tour is still held today, mainly to showcase the charm and historic heritage of Sailboat Bend's historic homes. 

 

Among the highlights that await you in Sailboat Bend are:

 

The "Sailboat Bend Swing Bridge" This 169 foot bridge was constructed in 1922 when there were still deer grazing and Seminole Indians hunting along the banks of the New River.  This bridge is one of the few of it's kind left in Florida.  It opens by swinging from side to side as a large, horizontal gear rotates.  It is really something to watch from either the water or the land.   

 

The old Sailboat Bend Fire Station is a magnificent display of the architecture of the late 1920's. Designed in 1927 by Frances Abreu, Fort Lauderdale's pre-eminent architect of the day, the building had been abandoned and had fallen into disrepair. 

Recently this fabulous piece of civic architecture has been restored to it's former glory. 

Sailboat Bend is also home to some great new construction and residential real estate opportunities like Villages at Sailboat Bend.

 

The historic charm and character of early Twentieth century cottages and homes shaded by immense, stately century old foliage and colorful landscaping are only a few of the reasons to adore historic Sailboat Bend. This eclectic and timeless neighborhood is a jewel of Ft Lauderdale Real Estate.

 

Sailboat Bend is within walking distance of the Riverwalk Arts and Entertainment District, popular Las Olas Boulevard and world famous Fort Lauderdale beach is only minutes away by bike or car.

Back to the Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Neighborhood Guide