As reported in Marina World
Construction is progressing at full speed on the 59,000ft² (5,500m²) F3 Marina Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The initial phases have consisted of intensive planning and coordination, including working closely with Florida Power & Light (FPL) to convert overhead power lines to an underground run, before erecting the marina’s massive 1,750-ton structural steel frame. The project has faced some unforeseen delays due to the recent events and challenges.
“The past six months have been frustrating for us due to government-related delays. But all issues are resolved and we are now all hands on deck working towards our opening in September of 2021. The wait will be worth it as this will set a new standard for all drystack marinas, to be measured in functionality, service and experience for boaters,” says John Matheson, president of F3 Marina.
The 130ft (40m) high, hurricane hardened structural steel and precast concrete building will include 1,100 pre-cast concrete panels and 26,000ft² (2,400m²) of curtain wall glass. Located on a tight site in a busy tourist and marine area near residential neighbourhoods, the project demands precise staging and traffic coordination throughout its 14-month build. Since the project will cover the entire site, logistics and scheduling challenges include coordinating multiple cranes to reach areas before access is cut off.
F3 Marina Fort Lauderdale will feature an automated crane to lift boats from the water and place them in an elevated slip. Boats as large as 46ft (14m) long, 17ft (5m) high and up to 30,000lbs (13,610kg), can be lifted to the top rack of the facility. The sophisticated crane will be shipped to the site at 1335 SE 16th Street in 100ft (30m) sections.
“There is a high demand for this type of marina, which can store boats up to 46 feet [14m] in length and 17 feet [5m] tall in a hurricane-rated building, and in a great location in Fort Lauderdale near the inlet. We have already built a strong boater response with many contracts already signed even a year prior to opening,” says Alain Giudice, senior vice president F3 Marina.
Construction is set to be complete in August 2021 to enable the drystack to open to boaters in September.
Project team members include Miller Construction for prominent design/build and construction services, architect RINKA of Milwaukee, engineers Jezerinac Group of West Palm Beach (structural), and Edgewater Resources of Pompano Beach (civil).
Miller Construction president, Brian Sudduth, summed up the project: “F3 Marina is drawing on advanced technology to lead change in the efficiency and potential growth of drystack marinas. The automated system is expected to lift and store or retrieve boats in under five minutes, and that’s a breakthrough for the marine industry. We’re building a great looking, efficient structure to help bring that concept to life.”
F3 Marina, a division of Founders 3 Real Estate Services, is based in Wisconsin, USA.