Lauderdale-By-The-Sea preserves retro coastal charm

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, a small coastal town in South Florida located near Fort Lauderdale, maintains a distinct retro atmosphere through strict municipal preservation policies. Covering just 1.5 square miles, the town limits new structures to a maximum height of 33 feet, or approximately four stories, to protect its small-town character.

The local government actively encourages businesses and hotels to adopt midcentury modern designs. Municipal administrator Linda Connors noted that while neighboring cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale focus on rapid growth, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea focuses on improving and preserving its existing charm.

Over the last decade, local officials have implemented several beautification projects, including widening sidewalks for outdoor dining, replacing public cobblestones, creating a central plaza on Commercial Boulevard, and updating the town's visual identity. The town is highly walkable and offers bicycle rentals for visitors.