Downtown Fort Lauderdale has seen a development boom, thanks to droves of young professionals and families who have come to the area in search of more affordable options than Miami and its surrounding areas. The region is bringing in nearly $36B in annual revenue, contributing to 9% of South Florida’s total economic output.

One of the latest developments in the area is the RIVR Lofts, a 29-story luxury high-rise apartment building above the New River, located in the heart of the Tarpon River Entertainment and Design District in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

South Florida real estate development and investment firm Moderno Development Group, which has been an active player in Fort Lauderdale for more than a decade, hopes RIVR Lofts will define the future of multifamily in Fort Lauderdale, Moderno founder and CEO Doron Broman said.

“RIVR Lofts is our vision for the future of urban living,” he said. “From the location to the design choices for our shared amenities and community spaces, we have prioritized the elements that matter most to a modern consumer. We’re constantly thinking about how we can contribute to the vibrancy of our neighborhoods and improve the lives of our residents.”

Broman said he believes this future is best illustrated through smaller units that are more affordable to residents and what he described as “amenity-heavy buildings.”

He added that the advantages of living at RIVR Lofts extend well past its walls. With a heavy investment in the surrounding neighborhood, Moderno has also helped curate a tenant mix that further enhances the experience for residents, including independent gyms, nail spas, coffee houses, barbers, wine shops and a variety of local businesses nearby.

The firm also prioritized implementing a wireless connection in the building to enhance the tenant experience, something that has become particularly important as more residents work from home.

By partnering with Blue Stream Fiber, a Florida-based telecommunications company offering high-speed internet and video services, RIVR Lofts is the first downtown building to offer gigabit speed throughout the entire building, said Eric Burtt, senior vice president of sales and partner development at Blue Stream Fiber. Residents can have full wireless access throughout the building, including in its 3K SF-plus of shared coworking and conference space.

Partnering with RIVR Lofts was a natural fit as part of a forward-thinking community, he said, adding that fiber internet and WiFi are no longer just commodities — they are essential to daily life.

“Our 1-gigabit internet service enhances the resident experience, enabling seamless connectivity for remote work, entertainment and everyday convenience,” he said. “By prioritizing cutting-edge technology, RIVR Lofts is redefining modern urban living and setting a new standard for the future. We’re thrilled to be a part of that story.”

Convenient amenities aren't the only features that attract modern tenants. Residents also want comfortable living spaces that encourage more community and collaboration.

To help achieve this, Broman and the Moderno team enlisted the expertise of Aurora Murillo Designs and the Addison House team to design and furnish the interior of the lobby, clubroom and community spaces.

Broman and the Moderno team entrusted Addison House to fulfill all the furniture, fixtures and equipment for the common areas, based on the company’s trajectory and reputation for providing long-lasting quality and unique design for contract-level projects. Addison House carefully curated a selection of FF&E for the project that showcased an avant-garde urban feeling while keeping comfort and durability.

Addison House founder and CEO Max Alcalay, who has been in the luxury furnishing business in South Florida for more than 40 years, said that he wanted to help bring Moderno’s vision to life by partnering with his comfortable living brand to create interiors that are not only relaxing but also sophisticated and visually dynamic.

“Designed to be as comfortable as they are visually striking, these spaces elevate everyday living,” Alcalay said. “By incorporating unique furniture pieces, Moderno Development has transformed common areas into multifunctional spaces, ensuring residents feel a true sense of home. This collaboration underscores a commitment to high-end, thoughtful design.”

Broman said he is excited about what RIVR Lofts has to offer and feels it is something that will continue to stand out in Fort Lauderdale.

“RIVR Lofts differs from similar buildings in the area by offering a fully connected experience, in a distinctly more design-driven and stylized environment than our competitors,” he said. “Our goal is not only to combine luxury and functionality to evolve urban living but do it ‘The Moderno Way.’”

This article was produced in collaboration between Moderno Development Group and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.