Our Story
Ocean Manor History
Fort Lauderdale's First Luxury Beachfront Hotel
Ocean Manor, an iconic landmark on Fort Lauderdale Beach since 1953
1953 – Present
Ocean Manor Beach Resort
In 1953, developer James S. Hunt acquired 2,466 acres of pristine shoreline from Arthur T. Galt—at the time the largest real-estate deal in U.S. history. From this vision rose Ocean Manor, Fort Lauderdale’s first luxury high-rise hotel-condominium directly on the beach. The project ignited the Galt Ocean Mile boom, reshaping the coastline and setting a new standard for oceanfront living and hospitality that endures to this day.
Early 1900s – 1990
Motor City Origins
Born in Detroit, James S. Hunt embodied American ingenuity. As a young auto entrepreneur and later a WWI fighter pilot in the Royal Flying Corps, he combined daring with discipline. Returning to the automobile industry, he became one of the Midwest’s largest Chevrolet dealers and helped pioneer the NADA Blue Book—today’s standard for used-vehicle valuation. That same innovative spirit powered his landmark Florida developments.
1945 – 1964
The Birth of Ocean Manor
After WWII, Hunt moved to Florida with a bold plan for the eastern shoreline. In 1946 he transformed 110 acres into Coral Ridge, proving the demand for modern coastal living. By 1953, his partnership with Arthur Galt led to the purchase of 2,466 acres of undeveloped beachfront—paving the way for Ocean Manor’s construction, the rise of the Galt Ocean Mile, and, later, the founding of Coral Springs as a fully planned city.
1965 – 1971
The Celebrity Boom
In 1965, Hunt’s Coral Springs expansion drew national attention with a blockbuster event hosted by Johnny Carson—over 10,000 attendees, six tons of barbecue served, and more than $2 million in homesites sold within minutes. Carson invested in 54.6 acres, multiplying his stake by 1971. The spotlight carried to Ocean Manor, welcoming celebrities and media personalities and cementing the resort’s reputation as a glamorous South Florida retreat.
Book Your Stay
Plan Your Oceanfront Stay
Ready to experience the legacy that helped define Fort Lauderdale Beach? Contact our reservations team to secure your dates and unlock direct-booking perks—stay where the Galt Ocean Mile story began.