The new 197-room hotel, which will cost an estimated $135 million, will feature 29 penthouse residences in a 23-story tiered tower as well as the benchmark of St. Regis excellence - butler service. 

Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Tim Smith joined Chair of County Commissioners Lori Nance Parrish; President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau Nicki Grossman; and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts President Atef Mankarios in donning St. Regis hard hats with gold-plated shovels in hand, to dig a ceremonial trench at this morning's groundbreaking ceremony.

The new hotel is located on the beachfront between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, uniquely set to allow guests to access both the beach on the Atlantic Ocean and the many navigable waterways of the Intracoastal that have given Fort Lauderdale the nickname ``Venice of America.'' 

"The St. Regis Resort, Spa and Residences, Fort Lauderdale will offer guests the ultimate in luxury service and accommodations and will be a welcome addition to the South Florida luxury market,'' said Barry S. Sternlicht, Starwood Chairman and CEO. ``With the current growth in South Florida real estate development, particularly in Fort Lauderdale, the yachting capital of the world, where a five-star hotel is most needed, the location of our new hotel made for an ideal choice.'' 

According to John McDonald, of Castillo Grand, LLC, developers of the property, ``From its very inception, this property was designed and programmed to be a five-star experience. As a St. Regis hotel, its place in the international luxury hotel market will be guaranteed.'' 

"We are thrilled with the prospect of a new St. Regis hotel opening in Fort Lauderdale. It will be the first-ever St. Regis hotel to open in Florida, and is situated in a choice location in terms of our plans to expand and develop the brand in the United States,'' noted Atef Mankarios, President of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. 

The hotel and residences, designed by world-renowned architectural firm, Arquitectonica, will have 197 spacious guest rooms and suites, and 24 private club units - each with its own balcony overlooking either the Atlantic or the Intracoastal. In addition, there will be 29 penthouse residences in the top eight levels of the tower. A unique feature of The St. Regis Resort, Spa and Residences, Fort Lauderdale is that all residents will be able to take advantage of the total amenities offered at the hotel, including 24-hour room service, professionally-trained and accredited concierge, butler, maid, valet and transportation services.

The St. Regis Resort, Spa and Residences, Fort Lauderdale features a 23-story tiered tower set on an expansively landscaped podium with a 29,000 square foot pool deck and accompanying cabanas and amenities. A curvilinear colonnade faces the Atlantic Ocean with elevated air-conditioned access to the beach. 

The Resort will also feature a gourmet restaurant, outdoor oceanfront cafe, bar and lounges, a 20,000 square foot two-story European-style spa with private outdoor treatment facilities, and a grand ballroom overlooking the ocean with adjacent pre-functional space that is flexible and can accommodate local, national and international events. The Resort and Spa will have a private membership club to offer non-residents the privilege of the above-mentioned amenities and access to the epitome of elegant living. 

With the announcement of The St. Regis Resort, Spa and Residences, Fort Lauderdale, there are now eleven St. Regis hotels, all named for the 1904 Beaux Arts landmark hotel in New York City, which was built by Col. John Jacob Astor. The legendary flagship is consistently ranked as one of the world's finest. There also are St. Regis hotels in Los Angeles, Aspen, Shanghai, Beijing, Houston, Rome, Washington, D.C., and Dana Point, California. Each is unique to its surroundings, and each offers guests a high
level of customized service. Another new St. Regis hotel is currently under development in San Francisco. Designed to capitalize on the extraordinary reputation of The St. Regis New York, the St. Regis brand is the first new luxury hotel brand in nearly 20 years. 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchiser of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.