Executive Office Redesign, Fort Lauderdale’s Galt Ocean Mile
Portfolio type: finished photos
project status: completed
From teardown candidate to landmark of modern commercial office design.
Behind the Design: Vision, Planning & Execution
What began as a neglected concrete box divided into four dark retail bays is now a landmark of executive office design on Fort Lauderdale’s Galt Ocean Mile. Located on Oakland Park Blvd., the property faced major challenges — from flood zone restrictions and FEMA compliance to outdated systems and a dysfunctional floor plan. Most saw it as a teardown.
Visionary developers Giovanni and Elise Fernandez are also owners of National Real Estate in Orlando. They were seeking a high-profile location for a new Fort Lauderdale executive headquarters.
Guided by STUDIO 818, the Fernandez’s saw opportunity where others did not. Our team redesigned the entire building inside and out. We gutted the structure to its shell, re-engineered it for resilience, and reimagined both the façade and interiors. Expansive second-story windows, a bold modern exterior, and a striking two-story lobby transformed the perception of the building from ordinary to exceptional.
The finished headquarters blends bespoke commercial furnishings with high-end residential finishes, creating an executive environment that projects confidence and permanence. Today, the property not only commands presence on Oakland Park Blvd. but also stands as proof that design-led vision can redefine value and prestige in South Florida’s commercial office landscape.
Executive Office Redesign with Visionary Impact
On Fort Lauderdale’s Galt Ocean Mile, the property at 3297 E. Oakland Park Blvd. was once overlooked — a concrete box with no presence, divided into four dark retail bays. Most considered it a teardown. Visionary developers Giovanni and Elise Fernandez, however, recognized its potential and trusted STUDIO 818 to transform it into a modern executive office landmark.
Commercial Office Design Challenges in a Flood Zone
Redevelopment required addressing complex challenges. The site sat in a flood zone and no longer met FEMA compliance for elevation. Outdated mechanical systems, a dysfunctional floor plan, and lack of natural light further limited the property’s usability. Our Project Roadmap™ sequenced every phase, from structural reinforcement to FEMA-approved modifications, ensuring the building could be reimagined with certainty of outcome.
Transformation: A Modern Landmark on Oakland Park Blvd.
With the project named “Galt’s Escape”, the redesign began by gutting the structure to its shell and creating a completely new architectural identity. Expansive second-story windows brought natural light to the interiors while giving the façade rhythm and scale. A bold modern exterior now commands presence from thousands of daily passersby on Oakland Park Blvd.
Inside, a two-story lobby with open-rail views to the second floor creates an impression of volume and sophistication rarely found in commercial office design. Every finish was elevated with high-end residential detail and bespoke commercial furnishings, crafting an executive environment that blends professionalism with refined hospitality.
From Teardown Candidate to Executive Office Landmark
The outcome was undeniable: a complete repositioning from teardown candidate to investment-grade property. Before the final interior phase was even complete, the building’s transformation attracted the attention of a prominent financial firm, yielding a net profit of more than $300,000 for the developers.
Today, Galt’s Escape stands as proof that executive office redesign is not only about function — it’s about redefining value, prestige, and presence. What was once overlooked has become a landmark of modern commercial office design in Fort Lauderdale.