It could be said that living in Las Olas gives Fort Lauderdale its Paradise Reputation, but before 1912 there was no Las Olas Boulevard. It was just a dirt road. It wasn’t until developer D.C. Alexander started buying and developing properties on the beach that the need for a bridge to direct traffic and connect to the mainland was necessary. In 1917, named after “Las Olas Inn,” Las Olas Boulevard was created.
In the 1920s, brothers Thomas and Preston Wells came to Fort Lauderdale and fell in love with the area developing in 1937 the historic now called Riverside Hotel. Today, Las Olas Boulevard showcases an impressive array of trendy boutiques, art galleries, and exquisite dining. Behind the so proclaimed road, there is a variety of residences from single family homes to charming condominiums and townhouses which creates a mix between old architecture and brand new construction. Residents of Las Olas Boulevard have the luxury of being within walking distance to one of the most talked-about roads in the world.
