Flagler Village

If urban living near the center of one of South Florida’s most happening cities is what you crave, Flagler Heights is the neighborhood to check out. “It is a vibrant and walkable neighborhood, where residents can enjoy access to restaurants, craft breweries, coffee shops, art galleries and entertainment venues,” says real estate broker Gabrielle Levin with Levin Investments Inc. “It’s a unique and artful living experience.”

With a mix of young professionals, artists and entrepreneurs, Flagler Heights is as diverse and dynamic as its homes. Once an industrial area, many of the buildings have been developed into high-rise loft condos that sell for between $600,000 and $900,00. Here, you’ll find spaces with 14-foot ceilings and large windows that let in sunshine throughout the day. More traditional condos start around $300,000 and include heated pools, outdoor lounge areas for barbecuing, fitness studios and building security. Town houses, which list in the $600,000 range, offer a higher square footage than condos and can include gated off-street parking, one- or two-car garages, and private rooftop terraces. Multifamily and commercially zoned properties are also listed in the neighborhood for $1 million and above. Given the success of redevelopment in the area, these properties have a high potential for return on investment.

The schools that serve Flagler Heights offer magnet programs that attract students with opportunities to study different areas of interest. At Walker Elementary, for example, students can enroll in the performing and visual arts program, which encourages them to communicate ideas and feelings through music, 2-D and 3-D art, theater and dance. The Montessori magnet program at Sunrise Middle teaches independent thinking and engagement in the learning process. And Fort Lauderdale High, an A school according to Niche, offers a magnet program in pre-law and public affairs, designed for students interested in legal, criminal justice and public service careers, and the Cambridge International Programme, which awards students an Advanced International Certificate of Education diploma, recognized in 167 countries.

Peter Feldman Park, a 1.3-acre green space in the heart of Flagler Heights, is named after a city pioneer who championed redevelopment in the area for 20 years. The park’s jungle gyms, monkey bars and sun-shielding are so beautifully designed that you may mistake them for sculpture. Walkways and benches wind around the park, creating an ideal setting for Food In Motion, a free monthly event that features food trucks, street food stands, art and boutique pop-up shops. Holiday Park is much larger — more than 90 acres. Sports fans will enjoy the roller hockey rink, lighted football and soccer fields, numerous baseball diamonds, and well-maintained pickleball and tennis courts. You’ll also find basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts in this enormous athletic complex, as well as youth and adult programming at the park’s social/recreation center. There’s even a dog park with water fountains, waste stations and benches.

Flagler Village and its FATVillage Arts District (which stands for “Food Art Technology”) are often compared to Miami’s Wynwood, an area packed with art galleries, retail stores, antique shops, eclectic bars, artisan sellers and more. Here, you’ll find hip coffee joints like Wells Coffee on Northeast 2nd Avenue, a great spot to hang out with a friend. The beans are roasted on-site, and the shop has indoor and outdoor seating. Circle House Coffee is another. Founded by retired NFL linebacker Stephen Tulloch, Circle House was created as a place for the community to gather and enjoy handcrafted coffee, beer, wine and food. Speaking of which, Sistrunk Market & Brewery brings together food and drink vendors, such as Dream State Brewing, Henry’s Sandwich Station and Chop Shoppe Meat Provisions, along with local artists, musicians and educators to create its innovative food hall concept. Across the street is Sistrunk Park, a slender green space that features a mural by Charles Mills, a local artist and historian, with images of important moments in black history, including African American landmarks in Fort Lauderdale. Brightline, the only privately owned and operated intercity railroad in the United States, has a station 4 blocks south on Northwest 2nd Avenue. It connects riders to Miami and as far north as Orlando.

While Flagler Heights gives you fast access to many local hotspots, such as Downtown Las Olas Boulevard (2 miles), the beach (3 miles) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (6 miles), residents know that if it’s hip and happening, it’s already here.

Written By

Christopher Kopczynski

Photography Contributed By

Gabor Kovacs

Video By

Victoria York