Idlewyld

The history of Fort Lauderdale’s Idlewyld neighborhood is closely tied to the story of M.A. Hortt, a former streetcar conductor and gold prospector from Utah. Hortt arrived in Fort Lauderdale in 1910, drawn by the greater potential for wealth compared to the desert. At the time, the city was in the midst of its first land boom and had only 121 residents, according to Hortt. In his biography, Gold Coast Pioneer, he described Fort Lauderdale as merely a "wide spot" in the road, but that changed quickly. News of Fort Lauderdale’s real estate opportunities spread to the north, sparking a surge of interest. Though the early land boom fizzled out, Hortt remained active in real estate, navigating a series of lucrative deals.

In 1921, Hortt and his business partner Bob Dye purchased a stretch of swampy land from the Las Olas Bridge to the intersection of New River Sound and beyond. They envisioned a subdivision but lacked the necessary capital for development. Inspired by Miami developer Carl Fisher’s success in transforming waterlogged land into prime real estate, Hortt sought to replicate the model in Fort Lauderdale. During a beach walk near Las Olas, he met visitor Tom Stillwell, who was searching for a real estate investment. Hortt proposed a partnership: if Stillwell contributed $50,000, they would create a company with $100,000 in land and assets, giving Stillwell a 50% share. To solidify the deal, Hortt took Stillwell to Miami Beach to showcase Fisher’s developments. Convinced, Stillwell joined the venture and enlisted three Indiana partners, leading to the formation of the New River Development Company in 1921.

Dredging of the Intracoastal Waterway and New River Sound provided the fill necessary to raise the swampy land, making it suitable for development. The neighborhood was named Idlewyld, and its land was platted. Infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, water mains, and electric lines, was installed after dredging. To enhance its appeal, developers planted coconut palms along the streets. However, sales were initially slow, prompting them to lower prices and provide lots to investors for home construction. The Indiana partners pooled resources to build one house, while the company offered ten lots for free to encourage development. By the end of the year, only four homes were completed, reflecting a citywide real estate slowdown.

Recognizing the need for marketing during the economic slump, Hortt proposed an advertising strategy in exchange for a 25% commission on lot sales. Prices ranged from $2,500 to $5,000, depending on location. The New River Development Company approved the plan, and the first advertisement appeared in the Miami Herald. One article detailed a promotional event offering free transportation from Miami, dinners, and a river tour. Another ad described Idlewyld as “Fort Lauderdale’s sub-division deluxe” and emphasized its exclusive community of “men of wealth and social standing.” The campaign proved successful, with Hortt and Dye selling every lot within a week at the originally agreed-upon prices.

Encouraged by this success, developers announced plans for a $250,000 hotel in Idlewyld, promising it would be “bigger and better than any yet planned.” The hotel was to occupy six lots and open within a year. The neighborhood quickly gained prestige, and Hortt built his own home there. In 1925, while traveling, he received an offer of $60,000 for the property. Upon his return, he raised the price to $75,000—a steep sum at the time—and sold it to businesswoman Helen Brooks Smith, making local headlines.

However, the prosperity was short-lived. The devastating hurricane of 1926 brought South Florida’s real estate boom to an abrupt end. During the storm, the U.S. Coast Guard’s houseboat station, Moccasin, was lifted from its mooring and thrown across the waterway near Idlewyld. The Coast Guard temporarily relocated to two donated homes in the subdivision while reestablishing its base.

Despite the economic downturn, Hortt remained financially stable and continued developing neighborhoods, including Beverly Heights. His contributions to Fort Lauderdale’s recovery earned him recognition, and he later served as the city’s mayor and commissioner. He eventually expanded his real estate ventures to Pompano Beach, where he passed away in 1958 at the age of 77.

Idlewyld has since evolved into one of Fort Lauderdale’s most prestigious neighborhoods. Many original homes have been replaced with expansive multi-lot estates worth millions. Today, the Riviera Isles/Idlewyld area is home to 508 residents. Hortt’s legacy extends beyond his sales record; he understood the value of waterfront real estate long before it became the gold standard. While others sought fortunes in agricultural land to the west, Hortt recognized that the true wealth lay along the water’s edge. Disney's 1986 film Flight of the Navigator was filmed on location at an Idlewyld residence.