A place of diversity, inclusivity, and affluence, Victoria Park is a highly sought-after neighborhood that stands on top of an elevated coral ridge in the coastal city of Fort
Lauderdale.
Learn about this remarkable neighborhood, the eclectic and fun lifestyle to be had here, and the gorgeous homes for sale that define the Old-World charm of Victoria Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Victoria Park’s history is a testament to the strong ties that hold a community together. The area where Victoria Park now stands used to be farmland and citrus groves. But even as early as the late 19th century, it already attracted affluent families who bought acres of land here due to its remarkable natural setting and proximity to Fort Lauderdale. That time, the area was still unincorporated and was named Victoria Park Estates.
It was in the early 1920s when a local developer, George E. Merrick, came up with a proposal to turn this unincorporated area into a planned community. Soon enough, every wealthy family wanted a plot of land here. Attracted by the neighborhood’s appeal and potential, Fort Lauderdale officials batted for its annexation which became a reality in 1927.
However, just like all good things that never last, Victoria Park suffered a decline between the 1960s and 1980s. Many residents transferred to newer suburbs elsewhere and the wealthy community suffered from neglect. However, a few community members chose to stay and bonded together to advocate for Victoria Park’s revitalization.
Their efforts paid off.
By the 1990s, people were coming back to Victoria Park, attracted by the strategic location and affordable real estate. With the City of Fort Lauderdale investing in new infrastructure and other amenities to make it a comfortable place to live, Victoria Park was back on track and became one of the most desirable neighborhoods to live in Florida.
STRATEGIC LOCATION
Located right at the heart of Fort Lauderdale, Victoria Park is the best address for people who want to be near the best that this beautiful coastal city can offer. Its proximity to Downtown Fort Lauderdale itself already promises a host of amenities and attractions that are within easy reach of residents, from the hippest food places and bars to museums and recreation areas.
In finding your dream abode among the homes for sale in Victoria Park, Fort Lauderdale, FL, you’ll also be minutes away from a long stretch of shoreline that includes Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Beach, and Sebastian Street Beach.
Victoria Park’s east flank opens up to the network of canals that made Fort Lauderdale famous as the “Venice of America.” That said, residents have easy access to the open waters of the Atlantic and many options for water-based activities like fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
SUNNY DAYS, ZERO CHANCES OF SNOWFALL
Just like the rest of the Sunshine State, Victoria Park blesses its locals and visitors with a tropical climate that translates to clear skies and around 237 days of sunshine. This warm weather is among the reasons many retirees flock to Florida from colder climes. Humidity is something to expect in this kind of climate though, so it’s not surprising that summer OOTDs are year-round trends even during winter.
The mild winters in Victoria Park and the rest of Florida are particularly conducive to enjoying the outdoors and exploring the area without the threat of snowfall and slippery roads.
LIVING IN VICTORIA PARK
The housing inventory
From luxurious waterfront mansions to cozy single-story abodes, Victoria Park has an impressive and diverse housing inventory catering to various budgets and lifestyles. Dominating the market are single-family homes, followed by townhomes and condos.
Living up to its Old Florida vibe, a considerable number of homes in Victoria Park have been constructed from the 1940s to 1970s. These historic homes are interspersed with more recent builds from the turn of the millennium. You will also find a few more homes built between the 1970s and late 1990s.
Some of the notable residences you’ll find in Victoria Park are Cracker homes, made popular by Florida’s early settlers who designed them to adapt to the weather conditions of their new
territory. Santa Barbara and Bermuda Dutch influences also resonate among several other homes in the neighborhood, as well as modern architecture for the new construction.
Luxury homes in the area will usually have hardwood floors, waterfront views, and easy access to the beach. Those located by the waterfront also have private dockage.
Getting around
Keeping in line with the affluence of the neighborhood, you can expect residents to own private vehicles. However, daily errands within the neighborhood can also be accomplished on foot, given its grid layout, wide sidewalks, and crosswalks at almost every intersection.
Public transport is also available, primarily via the Broward County Transit (BCT) buses that reach up to Miami-Dade. BCT also operates wheelchair-accessible community shuttles around Fort Lauderdale.
Meanwhile, you can hop on a train at Brightline’s Fort Lauderdale station to get you to Miami, West Palm Beach, or Orlando International Airport. Brightline also has a fleet of electric vehicles that can bring Victoria Park residents to some of Fort Lauderdale’s best spots, including Las Olas Beach, the Broward Center for Performing Arts, and the Museum of Discovery of Science.
A little farther off is the Fort Lauderdale Tri-Rail Station where passengers can take the Amtrak train to Miami-Dade or West Palm Beach then back to Broward County.
Other available modes of transport include:
- LauderGo Community Shuttle – A free shuttle that travels to Fort Lauderdale’s major hotspots, including Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas Boulevard.
- Broward B-Cycle – This bike rental program requires an app to borrow bikes for use around the city.
- Water Taxi – This unique taxi and tour service uses Fort Lauderdale’s natural waterways to show passengers the city’s historic locations and bring them straight to the best shops, restaurants, and beaches in the area.
Schools
Families with school-age children will be glad to know that in buying any of the homes for sale in Victoria Park, Fort Lauderdale, FL, they will be within striking distance of good schools under the highly rated Broward County School District (BCSD).
Here are some of the best schools for your child’s quality education:
Virginia Shuman Young Montessori. This magnet school uses the Montessori method to teach children from preschool to elementary. Here, students learn at their own pace through
hands-on activities specially designed for their age.
St. Anthony Catholic School. In operation since 1926, this private school uses the STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering arts, mathematics) curriculum, where students learn through project-based and problem-solving activities.
The College Academy at Broward College. Ranked as the best public high school in Broward County, this school offers dual enrollment to its students. By the end of their education here, they can receive both a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts degree.
Broward College. Courses here specialize in liberal arts, nursing, and business. The school is also recognized as one of the most affordable and inclusive community colleges in the area.
Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Recognized as the largest private research university in Florida, it has been recently recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in cybersecurity and cyber research.
Things to do in Victoria Park
Living in Victoria Park means you get to enjoy both urban living and the great outdoors. From forest trails to wine and shopping, here are some of the ways you can unwind in the neighborhood.
WALK AMID THE BEAUTY OF NATURE
Apart from the lovely beaches just outside Victoria Park, there are other great destinations in and around the neighborhood for you to explore and enjoy the outdoors.
Pine Island Ridge
One of the 489 locations in the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, this ridge is a
bird-watcher’s paradise. But even if birding isn’t your thing, you can still explore the area’s nature trails on foot or horseback.
Coconut Creek
Known as the Butterfly Capital of the World, Coconut Creek is a certified Community Wildlife Habitat. It is also home to the biggest butterfly park on the planet, Butterfly World.
GET INTO SPORTS
Hiking is one way of keeping fit and getting your regular dose of Vitamin D. But in Victoria Park, residents have many more ways of living an active lifestyle.
3801 Bayview Drive
Practice your swing at this members-only country club’s 18-hole golf course which was designed by Robert Trent Jones and enhanced by his son, Rees Jones. Known as Fort Lauderdale’s crown jewel, Coral Ridge was mentioned in Golf Digest’s very first list of the 200 toughest courses released in 1966.
The club also boasts a 25-meter pool and 11 tennis courts. It also holds a summer sports camp for kids.
1725 SE 12th Street
The Lauderdale Yacht Club has been welcoming those with a love for ocean sailing and sailboat racing since 1938. The club has hosted and participated in different regattas over the years and emanates a family-friendly atmosphere for its members. It also has tennis and fitness facilities, as well as a swimming pool at the marina.
GET YOUR CAFFEINE FIX
As urban sophisticates continue to flock to the neighborhood, so have the specialty coffee shops that have sprung up in and around Victoria Park to cater to residents’ discerning tastes.
Here are some of the best coffee shops for your cuppa Joe.
474 North Federal Highway
Within walking distance from Las Olas Boulevard and Flagler City, Press and Grind Café is known for its single-origin coffee and pressed fruit juices. You’ll surely enjoy a grilled shrimp po’boy with jalapeno aioli or a steak and cheese sandwich with Swiss cheese, arugula, and onions. This café also serves a selection of smoothie bowls and shakes.
727 NE 3rd Avenue
The brainchild of retired NFL player Stephen Tulloc, this quaint coffee shop opened in 2018 out of Tulloc’s love for coffee which he decided to share with the community. Enjoy the usual espresso-based and blended coffee drinks here, or if you want a hardcore caffeine fix, you could go for the café’s cold brews straight from the tap. Pair your coffee with a bagel, sandwich, wrap, or empanada.
737 NE 2nd Avenue
A family-owned roaster, Wells Coffee offers an array of coffee beans categorized by flavor profile. Coffee lovers may purchase their beans either in small quantities or in bulk. Some of their selections include No. 9, described as “chocolatey, with notes of dried fruit and citrus,” and Winter Wonderblend which has black currant, cranberry, milk chocolate, and gingersnap.
TREAT YOURSELF AT LAS OLAS BOULEVARD
Victoria Park residents are just minutes from Fort Lauderdale’s premier retail and food destination, Las Olas Boulevard. In this stretch of boutiques and restaurants, you can spend a whole day shopping and pampering yourself.
Here are just some of the spots you can visit:
822 East Las Olas Boulevard
This is one of the oldest galleries in South Florida. Known for its impressionist, pop, and contemporary art, the gallery is one of the best places to find a conversation starter for your home or the missing piece in your art collection.
1001 East Las Olas Boulevard
The flower place has been open since the 1970s but, since then, it has added a café and wine bar to its offerings.
Drop by for fresh floral arrangements to spruce up your living room then stay a while for a cup of coffee and a raspberry scone. A glass of their Blushing Mimosa could also be a perfect way to enjoy the sunset.
GO ON A NIGHT OUT
The night scene in Victoria Park is one underscored by vibrance and youthful energy. Largely concentrated along the city’s main arteries like Las Olas Boulevard and Victoria Park Boulevard, this merry mix of clubs, bars, and music venues gives residents the chance to paint the town red until the wee hours of dawn. Here are some of the most popular among them.
726 NE 2nd Avenue
This award-winning taproom offers an array of craft beers brewed in-house with new flavors to try each week.
701 E Broward Boulevard
Sample the lounge’s cocktails with a plate of gochujang guava chicken drumettes and lamb lollipops while live music plays in the background. If late nights aren’t for you, make a reservation for a midday burlesque show over Sunday brunch.
707 NE 8th Street
Watch the ballet, listen to classical music, or laugh until you cry at an hour-long improv show – the night is always young when there’s a plethora of entertainment at The Parker.
FIND YOUR DREAM HOME IN VICTORIA PARK
There’s no shortage of opportunities to secure your dream abode among the homes for sale in Victoria Park, Fort Lauderdale, FL when you have one of the leading Realtors in the area serving as your real estate guide – Brian Scharick.
Let me and the rest of my team at Florida Exclusive Living help you accomplish your real estate goals in the quickest, most
hassle-free way possible. Call us at 954.644.9118 or send me an email here.
