F3 Marina Fort Lauderdale, known for its automated dry stack marina, has officially been listed for sale in what could mark a major acquisition opportunity within the marina industry.
Located at 1335 Southeast 16th Street in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, the 59,000 square-feet facility represents a significant step forward in boat storage technology and marina infrastructure.
Built in 2021, the F3 Marina Fort Lauderdale boasts a hurricane-rated, 130-foot structure, capable of storing 254 vessels.
At the centre of the marina is a fully automated marine crane system that retrieves and stores boats in under five minutes. The system accommodates boats up to 14-metre (47-feet) long, with a 13-foot beam and 20-foot of height, with a weight limit of 30,000 pounds. The technology has earned comparisons to Carvana’s vehicle vending machine concept and has set standards for efficiency in the boating sector.
The sale is being managed by Colliers’ Leisure Property Advisors, with Matt Putnam, Andrew Cantor and Dan Grovatt leading the campaign. Offers will be accepted starting in late May.
Grovatt, senior vice president with Colliers, stated, “F3 Fort Lauderdale is a world-renowned marina that anyone in the marina industry will know by name.”
Putnam, senior vice president with Colliers, added: “We’re confident that we will get a great deal of interest in this property – both from marina operators looking to scale their portfolios and commercial real estate investors looking to break into the marina industry in a meaningful way.”
According to Colliers, the marina is expected to attract high interest from both established operators and investors aiming to enter the boating market.
The facility also features luxury amenities, including a private lounge, covered parking, high-speed fueling and a retail ship store. The property also includes 21 wet slips for efficient staging and handling of vessels.
The structure was designed by Milwaukee-based architect RINKA and constructed by Florida’s Miller Construction, using steel and precast concrete engineered to withstand Category 5 hurricane conditions.
The project was developed by F3 Marina, who purchased the Fort Lauderdale site in 2018 and dedicated years to city planning approvals and perfecting the design. Founders David Behnke and John Matheson led the development and licensing of the crane system, significantly reducing boat retrieval time.
“We’ve been building things all our lives, but never anything of this stature,” said Behnke. “F3 Fort Lauderdale is truly one of a kind and is the pride of our company. It’s in the best location in the world and boasts the quietest and fastest lift system in the world.”
F3 Marina Fort Lauderdale’s listing opens the door for investors and marina operators to acquire a premier property that sets global standards in design and technology. For more information on the offering of F3 Marina Fort Lauderdale, contact Matt Putnam at matt.putnam@colliers.com.
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