A new condominium has just been proposed along Fort Lauderdale’s stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway. Located at 623 and 701 Bayshore Drive, the project, known as Opus at 701, calls for a 13-story residential tower designed by Adache Group Architects. The building will replace two existing low-rise structures: one a multifamily rental community and the other a long-standing hotel. The combined parcels were acquired between 2023 and 2025 for $19.5 million, allowing the tower to feature a wide footprint.
Led by CNB Contracting of New Rochelle, New York, the project is joining a growing wave of residential developments along Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway: many of which are being driven by out-of-state developers.
According to plans submitted to Fort Lauderdale’s Development Review Committee, which convened on October 14, the proposal calls for 54 luxury-oriented residential units, matching the site’s maximum allowable density of 70 units per acre. The residences will include a mix of two-bedroom, two-bedroom plus den, three-bedroom, and penthouse layouts. The most common floor plan, comprising just over half of the total units, will be the three-bedroom layouts.
The development will feature a variety of amenity spaces, including a spa, game room, yoga studio, fitness center, and a pool deck, along with a rooftop level with a second pool and clubhouse. In addition, the three-story podium will provide 114 parking spaces, offering residents at least two spaces per unit through a combination of compact, traditional, tandem, and mechanical lift spaces.
According to elevations by Adache Group Architects, the building will rise 155 FT from street level to its highest point. The proposed height aligns with Fort Lauderdale Beach’s zoning regulations, which generally caps structures in the area around this height. Unless the developer pursues an exception or invokes the Live Local Act for the site’s commercial zoning designation, 155 FT represents the maximum height permitted for this property.
Likewise, the facade will showcase a mix of modern materials and tones, including frosted glass balconies, white brick cladding, white and beige stucco finishes, and metal louvers, among other contemporary design elements.
A representative from Adache Group Architects writes, “the parking podium is designed with rhythmic vertical slats, creating a wave-like motion across all four elevations. As the “wave” ascends, a horizontal canopy emerges, providing shade below. The building’s exterior palette combines soft whites on the walls, transparent glazing for unit storefronts, and champagne-colored aluminum finishes on mullions and podium screening. This sophisticated blend of colors and tones harmonizes with the lush greenery of the surrounding landscape.”
Before the project proceeds to Fort Lauderdale’s City Commission, the Development Review Committee staff has recommended several changes that the developer must address. These include modifications to the podium’s screening, changes to the articulation of each balcony, and other alterations to the plans.