Las Olas Boulevard is a major east-west thoroughfare in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, that runs from SW 1st Avenue in the Central Business District to Florida State Road A1A in Fort Lauderdale Beach. “The Waves” in Spanish, Las Olas, is an apt name for this 4-kilometer boulevard from the beach. Out of this, a 1.6-kilometer stretch bustles with small independent shops, restaurants, bars, and spas. Colorful umbrellas dot the boulevard, protecting al fresco diners from the sun’s strong rays, while the tree-lined boulevard provides shoppers with shade.
Make time to browse the eclectic range of goods in the numerous interesting boutiques. You will come across signed posters of famous rock groups; designer wear for Harley fans, gemstone jewelry, fine arts, and boutique clothing. Sniff out some exotic spices or gourmet truffle products at the specialty food shops, or treat yourself to a pair of limited edition shoes from The Archives, a store selling exclusive apparel and accessories. When you tire of shopping, grab a bite at one of the upmarket café, restaurants, and steakhouses that line the street.
The easternmost section begins on a barrier island and crosses the Intracoastal waterway. The road then enters the residential neighborhoods of Seven Isles and Hendricks, and Venice Isles. West of SE 17th Avenue, the road enters a commercial shopping district, which is itself colloquially called “Las Olas.” This portion of the road is lined with low and mid-rise bars, nightclubs, bridal stores, shops, boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Finally, the road passes over the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel and enters the city’s financial district. High-rises predominantly line the westernmost part of the street. Pristine Water Damage Restoration
History
The boulevard was constructed in 1917 by S.P. Snyder & Son Co. when Las Olas was just a dirt road that crossed the swampy wetlands to the barrier island at Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Las Olas Isles were dredged in the 1920s to create land for a waterfront residential district. The modern commercial segment of Las Olas Boulevard was constructed during the Post World War II era. The buildings surrounding the westernmost downtown segment underwent significant redevelopment since the 1970s.
In the early 1980s, Las Olas underwent a major renovation program to enhance property values. The land was worth much more than that of the standing homes. Therefore, it was decided that anyone who wished to buy property on one of the isles would have to tear down the existing home and build a home of equal or greater value than the land. Professional tour companies provide tours that take people down the waterways to show off the celebrity’s homes and yachts.
In 2020, the city completed the $49 million Las Olas Oceanside Park project at the intersection of Florida State Road A1A and Las Olas Boulevard. This project provided a 650-space parking garage behind and a beachfront park and plaza. The park hosts various events, including farmers’ markets, fitness, and art events.
Check out other attractions like Museum of Discovery and Science