THE MBNA STRONGLY OPPOSES THE PROPOSED NEW "WATER PARK" AT THE FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL
The Fontainebleau Hotel is planning a complete renovation of its pool and all surrounding pool deck areas. The submitted plans include a new “Water Park” featuring a 120-foot water slide, reportedly “one of the largest drops in the country.” Applications for this substantial water-park area, along with major rear-yard renovations, have already been filed with the City’s Historic Preservation Board (HPB).
The Fontainebleau is asking the Historic Preservation Board to grant 11 variances, which the MBNA is strongly opposing. These include requests to reduce the required open-space buffer adjacent to the protected sand dunes and to allow decks, patios, and furniture within a 10-foot setback from the beach erosion control line. These variances are significant and, in our view, not justifiable.
The HPB reviewed the item on November 18, 2025, during which the Fontainebleau’s attorney presented a slideshow and answered preliminary questions. Over the next two hours, dozens of residents, both in person and via Zoom, expressed strong opposition to the project. The Fontainebleau requested a continuance to bring the item back before the Board. The continued HPB hearing will take place on: TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall. MEMBERS ARE URGED TO ATTEND THIS MEETING IN PERSON.
The Fontainebleau Hotel's Attorneys will be presenting at the MBNA's January 7, 2026 Board Meeting via Zoom. Meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. All MBNA Members are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. Members will be provided with the opportunity to provide their input and opinions on this project. CLICK HERE FOR MBNA MEETING ZOOM LINK.
MBNA's Position on Fontainebleau Hotel’s Proposed Water Park While MBNA members do not object to the Fontainebleau’s plans to renovate and modernize their amenities, members strongly oppose the inclusion of a “vertigo-inducing 120-foot water slide”or other tall water park structures for the proposed project for numerous reasons, including the following:
Increased Congestion and Traffic Impact: The proposed large-scale water attraction would transform the property into an Orlando-style theme park designed to attract high visitor volumes. This will further exacerbate the already severe congestion along Collins Avenue and neighboring streets, placing an even greater burden on Mid-Beach residents and local infrastructure.
Inadequate Access and Parking Facilities: Unlike Soffer's Aventura’s Tidal Cove Water Parkwhich features a 60-foot tower with seven slides and an adjacent self-parking garage, the Fontainebleau sits on a very busy FDOT roadway and has limited driveway areas and no self-parking. The hotel’s ingress and egress points are already strained under normal conditions, and cannot safely accommodate the significant increase in vehicles expected with the addition of such a large water park attraction.
Negative Visual Impact: The proposed 12-story slide structure would obstruct the ocean and skyline views of neighboring buildings, diminishing property values and the visual character of the Mid-Beach area.
Incompatibility with the Neighborhood Character: The scale, design, and entertainment nature of the proposed attraction are inconsistent with the residential and resort character of Mid-Beach. It is also inconsistent with the style of the hotel's world-renowned architect, Morris Lapidus. The introduction of such an oversized amusement-style feature risks altering the peaceful ambiance of surrounding communities and setting a troubling precedent for future high-intensity development along the Collins Avenue corridor.
Effects on Dune Preservation. This project goes against the intent of the City's Dune Preservation and Oceanfront Overlay Districts. It reduces open space and threatens the Hotel's natural and historic character.
Dangerous Precedent. This massive project has the potential to open the doors to others, including new Developers.
Please feel free to express your opinions to City Officials and to the Historic Preservation Board at: [email protected] and to [email protected]
This video can be seen on their STOP6FLAGSFB INSTAGRAM Page. Click on this link to follow and view: STO6FLAGSFB
BELOW ARE PROPOSED RENDERINGS DEPICTING THE MASSIVE HEIGHT OF THE 12-STORY (120') WATER SLIDE, THE ADJACENT 12-STORY STRUCTURE WITH STAIRWELL AND ELEVATOR, AND THE NUMEROUS ENCROACHMENTS THE MBNA IS OBJECTING TO:
