A district that encompasses less than 1 percent of the land mass of Broward County accounts for a third of the county’s economic output and a quarter of all jobs. That would be the 2.2-square mile Downtown Fort Lauderdale, the county’s leading economic engine supporting 224,000 jobs and driving a $43 billion annual economic impact.

Fort Lauderdale’s downtown is on the rise, including as a hub of tech and innovation. The urban core’s total economic impact has grown 20% since 2022, surpassing county, state and national benchmarks, and has surged 44% since 2019, explains an economic impact report released today by the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority.

Yet, tech is not alone. Fort Lauderdale’s position at the center of the tri-county area — what South Florida’s leaders have dubbed “Wall Street of the South” — is powered by growing finance and professional service sectors. About half of the 224,000 downtown jobs are in high-value industries including finance, technology, heathcare and professional services, and that’s a higher share than Sunbelt peer cities like West Palm Beach, Austin or Nashville, the report noted. What’s more, over a third of the workforces in Austin and Nashville are public-sector employees, compared to just 7% for Fort Lauderdale. And while Austin and Nashville have seen office vacancy rates rise by 21% and 62% respectively, both Fort Lauderdale and West Palm have experienced declines, the report said.

Transformational developments now in the works could continue to fuel growth in Downtown Fort Lauderdale for years to come. FAT Village, a community for entrepreneurs and creators, is an example. The first phase of Hines and Urban Street Development’s T3 project in that neighborhood could be completed by 2027, providing 180,000 square feet of office space in a mixed-use campus designed for professionals in tech and the creative industries, the report said.

“T3 FAT Village comes at the perfect time to capitalize on downtown Fort Lauderdale’s already growing momentum in tech and innovation. Designed as a hub for forward-thinking companies, FAT Village blends cutting-edge technology with the neighborhood’s distinctive cultural identity,” said Gonzalo Cortabarria, managing director at Hines.

“The sustainable, timber-built six-story Class AA T3 office building incorporates smart building systems, energy-efficient design, and flexible, tech-enabled workspaces that are specifically designed to support collaboration and productivity,” he continued. “Beyond the office, a curated mix of dining, retail, and art creates a vibrant environment for those who live, work, or visit Fort Lauderdale.”

Meanwhile, Napster Corp. (known as Infinate Reality before it acquired Napster), an immersive media company based in Boca Raton, is planning a 60-acre global headquarters in Fort Lauderdale’s business core, with a 100,000-squre foot corporate campus anchoring a next-generation technology and entertainment district, scheduled to open next year. The HQ will accommodate up to 1,000 employees.

One other key finding in the report is that Fort Lauderdale’s downtown hosts a larger share of early- to mid-career talent (44%) than either West Palm Beach (36%) or Miami (32%). More close-in housing options and lower rents for Class A office space than in Miami and West Palm may be fueling this trend. Downtown has been attracting young families, too.

“Fort Lauderdale is growing in all the right ways. It is smart, creative, and full of opportunity,” said Jenni Morejon, president and CEO of the Fort Lauderdale DDA.

“From FAT Village, our first large-scale creative and tech-focused development, to Napster Corp’s 60-acre headquarters for next-gen media and AI/AR experiences, you can see innovation happening everywhere you look,” Morejon continued. “All of this is centered by a walkable, lively downtown that generates billions in economic impact, supports thousands of jobs, and continues to attract top-tier talent.”

A rendering showing Hines’ mixed-use development plans for Fort Lauderdale’s FAT Village.

Photos provided by the Fort Lauderdale DDA.

READ MORE IN REFRESH MIAMI: