Construction is set to begin on a new health, wellness, and recreation complex at 844 North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, as Gulf Building and ANF announce a joint venture partnership for the development at Holiday Park. The project will include a 48,000-square-foot YMCA Wellness Center and a 12,500-square-foot free-standing emergency department operated by Broward Health. Completion of the overall complex is anticipated in fall 2027.
The development brings together two Fort Lauderdale-based firms for the first time, combining healthcare construction expertise with experience delivering civic and recreation facilities. Gulf Building will construct the two-story YMCA Wellness Center, while ANF will serve as construction manager for the Broward Health free-standing emergency department.
The 48,000-square-foot YMCA Wellness Center is planned as a modern community facility focused on health, fitness, and aquatic education. Program elements will include a wellness floor, aerobics and cycling studios, a full-size gymnasium, flexible multi-purpose rooms, and both a competition pool and a dedicated teaching pool designed to promote swim lessons and water safety. Support areas will consist of locker rooms and restrooms, youth and child development spaces, administrative offices, a retail café space, and a lobby and gathering area, along with circulation, mechanical, and storage areas. The facility is expected to serve more than 25,000 children and families annually.
“Building on the complementary strengths of both firms and a shared commitment to community impact,” said John Scherer, CEO of Gulf Building. “This opportunity also reflects the trust the YMCA of South Florida has placed in Gulf. We’re honored to be entrusted with delivering another iconic YMCA facility in Fort Lauderdale.”
ANF will oversee construction of the one-story, approximately 12,500-square-foot free-standing emergency department for Broward Health. The facility will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, serving both adult and pediatric patients. Plans call for 12 fully equipped exam and treatment rooms, a CT suite, a radiation-shielded imaging room, and required clinical support, staff, and building functions. Dedicated ambulance access will facilitate patient transfer and emergency response operations. The emergency department will be managed by Broward Health Medical Center. Broward Health will also occupy an additional 2,000 square feet on the ground level of the YMCA.
“This project reflects the strength of collaboration and shared expertise,” said Al Fernandez, CEO of ANF. “Partnering with Gulf Building allows us to bring together deep healthcare construction experience to support Broward Health’s mission and deliver facilities that will serve the Fort Lauderdale community for years to come.”
The complex is positioned along North Federal Highway within Holiday Park, expanding access to both recreational programming and critical medical services for the surrounding Fort Lauderdale community. Completion is projected for fall 2027.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
Beautiful design and a great addition to Holiday Park and the surrounding community. Glad they are saving the giant oak tree on property. They are taking away park land to build the Y, but it’s on a very underutilized space. The parking garage on the other side of the Parker will also take up more park land and it is way too big because they are adding a surface parking lot with an additional 250 cars across the street. But, if they can just add some bike lanes, sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, gardens and spruce up the remaining green spaces, and not build any other buildings in the park it will be a wonderful, world-class destination.