Are Rooftop Decks The New Trend?

By: Ismael Rodriguez

There’s a trend across South Florida that has made rooftops on high-rise buildings a prominent place for swimming pools, gyms and other facilities geared towards recreation and relaxation.

In Miami Beach, for example, 1 Hotel & Homes, an 18-story condo and hotel, has an adults-only rooftop pool consuming 26,000 square feet of space. Even the developers at 444 Brickell Avenue in Miami have converted the tennis court on their rooftop into a soccer field with lighting, padded walls, locker rooms, showers, concession area, patio and lounge.

Most of the premier developments scheduled for completion within the upcoming months, year, or years will have swimming pools and other amenities on their rooftops.

Among these anticipated buildings are Paramount Miami Worldcenter, a 60-story residential tower in downtown Miami scheduled for completion in 2019, and The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Miami Beach, which is expected to open at the end of this year.

Paramount Miami Worldcenter is taking the trend further by not only having swimming pools on its rooftop, but it will incorporate a dog park, children’s playground, jogging path and summer kitchen with a barbecue area.

In Broward County, the 44-story Hyde Beach House and Gale Residences Fort Lauderdale Beach, both expected to open next year, will also have rooftop pool decks, and either tennis or basketball courts, cabanas and lounges.

All in all, it could be assumed that more and more developers across South Florida will buy into the trend sooner or later as a means to compete in an already competitive and edgy luxury real estate market.