As 2026 begins, the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Redevelopment Program, led by design-builder Hensel Phelps, is gaining momentum along the New River Sound in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Throughout the year, patrons will see continued progress across the entire campus as this transformative project takes shape.
Project Phases
The ISHOF project closed out 2025 with a topping out ceremony for the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Ocean Rescue Headquarters Facility. This major milestone marks a key moment in Phase One of the Redevelopment Program. The two-story, 15,304-SF state-of-the-art headquarters will serve as storage for equipment and include offices, conference rooms, showers and locker rooms for Ocean Rescue personnel. With foundations complete and the structure officially topped out, the facility is anticipated to be completed by June 30, 2026.
Also part of Phase One, the seawall improvements are scheduled for completion by June 30, 2026. Construction will begin at the north end of the peninsula, progressing west and then south to enhance and protect the waterfront perimeter.
Phase Two of the redevelopment will begin in 2026 and include construction of the West Building, which will house the new ISHOF Museum and the Fort Lauderdale Aquarium. This phase will also introduce retail and dining options, event and exhibit space, a digital immersive experience, and expanded parking.
Looking ahead, Phase Three and the East Building will include additional retail and dining spaces, dryland training areas, a teaching pool, grandstands and an elevated promenade. Phase Four will include a public water dock and anticipates covered grandstands at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center (FLAC) pool.
Setting a New Standard for P3 Project Delivery
The 320,000-SF public-private-partnership (P3) development is being constructed adjacent to the FLAC, which was previously renovated by Hensel Phelps from 2018 to 2022, and earned the 2023 Engineering News Record (ENR) Award of Merit for the Sports/Entertainment category. “The P3 delivery model enables alignment between public needs and private expertise, providing long-term value, cost certainty and a thoughtfully phased approach to development,” says Operations Manager Matt Krstolic. “Hensel Phelps’ proven experience with complex projects, a successful history at FLAC and a collaborative, solutions-driven mindset position us as the ideal partner for ISHOF and the City of Fort Lauderdale. This project is setting a new standard for P3 delivery with potential net zero cost to the City of Fort Lauderdale.”
That prior experience has also played a critical role in shaping the redevelopment. According to Project Manager Greg Jennings, “Familiarity with FLAC’s daily and annual operating schedule, the Fort Lauderdale Beach event calendar, and long-standing relationships with FLAC management and City staff have been instrumental in effectively planning and executing construction on the peninsula. This knowledge has helped inform both the design of ISHOF and the ongoing construction of Phase One.”
Helping the International Hall of Fame Make a Splash
Together, these capital improvements are creating a world-class destination that will serve the community and celebrate swimming for generations. They also position ISHOF and FLAC as premier destinations for swimmers of all levels and offering breathtaking 360-degree views of FLAC, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.
For more information on the redevelopment program and updates, visit the International Swimming Hall of Fame website.
