What to expect from Fort Lauderdale’s new ‘Water District’: aquariums, art and rooftop dining

By Susannah Bryan South Florida Sun Sentinel

April 30, 2026 1:31 PM

The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, including a 27-meter dive tower, is shown on Friday, March 14, 2025. Amy Beth Bennett South Florida Sun Sentinel

The peninsula that’s home to both the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center now has a catchy new name: The Water District.

The rebranding dovetails with the ongoing $220 million redesign of the Hall of Fame.

The reimagined waterfront destination is set to open in late 2028 at 501 Seabreeze Blvd., also home to the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and its famous dive tower.

Read the full story at SunSentinel.com.

Dana Banker

Miami Herald

As managing editor of the Miami Herald, I oversee the newsroom’s coverage, from local issues and state politics to entertainment, sports, visual journalism and investigations. I’m a native Floridian and a veteran journalist who twice led teams honored with the Pulitzer Prize Gold Medal for Public Service. A University of Florida graduate, I grew up in Tampa and spent the first decade of my career as a reporter in South Florida, covering beats ranging from cops and government to education and environment. Before joining the Herald, I was managing editor of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. I’ve served as a Pulitzer Prize juror and president of the Florida Society of News Editors. I prioritize stories that matter to readers, and journalism that makes a positive impact in our community.

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