Top 5 Things You May Not Know About Hallandale Beach

The Rich History of Hallandale (Beach)

Like most of Broward County, Hallandale Beach had no permanent European-descended population until the end of the 19th century. 

Seminole Indians who stayed in the settlements inland on the Atlantic shore hunted around the area and gathered coontie roots for arrowroot starch.

When railroad magnate Henry Flagler, owner of the Florida East Coast Railway, recruited Luther Halland, a brother-in-law of Flagler's agents, to find a settlement south of Dania, they discovered Hallandale (unnamed at the time), a frost-free climate and cheap land settlement. 

They later named it Halland and then changed it to Hallandale (after Luther Hallandale). 

Luther constructed a small trading post and became the first postmaster of the small community.

Hallandale was incorporated on 14 May 1927. 

During this time, it was a thriving community of 1,500 residents, with electricity and street lights in place. 

In 1947, Hallandale was reincorporated as a city, allowing it to expand its borders through the annexation of nearby unincorporated lands adjacent to the Atlantic shore. 

In August 1999, the city officially changed its name to Hallandale Beach to let people know it has a beach.

A Beach With Infrastructure(?)

First-time Hallandale Beach visitors may have been surprised by the lineup of buildings leading up to its beach. 

While some thought it was odd, I'm sure others may have wanted to take a picture in front of these gorgeous structures. 

Frankly, we're the latter! 

Yes, folks, unlike most beaches in Florida, Hallandale Beach boasts infrastructures on the beach. 

Sure, most people don't consider a building they have no intention of entering (and aren't allowed in, for that matter) a perk. 

But the striking beauty and attention to detail you see on the Hallandale coast will make you want to sell everything you own to rent one of those studios (more on that later!). 

In fact, some parts of Hallandale Beach are brimming with high-rise condos, if you didn't know better, you would think you're in California!

Bike Your Way Around Hallandale Beach

Another thing great about Hallandale Beach is you don't have to have a car to get around. 

Throughout the area, there are Broward B-cycle stations where you can rent a bicycle for 30-minute increments or an entire day. 

In fact, for as little as ten bucks, you can ride along the beach scoping out places to rest, beautiful people, places to eat, or all of the above! 

Most travelers will agree that these bike stations around Hallandale Beach are the most prominently placed compared to other city beaches, just outside where you might park your car. 

Having these adds more to visitors' convenience, and I'm sure it'll help people love Hallandale Beach more!

Hallandale Beach's Rise to Fame

When you hear the name "Hallandale Beach," you automatically think of Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino (and the beach, of course!), and it's inevitable. 

Gulfstream, is in fact, Hallandale Beach's shot to fame!

Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino is one of the most visited facilities of its kind, not just in Hallandale Beach but in the whole area. 

It is primarily known as a significant horse racing venue in the US, with many cups and tournaments held over the years in its tracks. 

And thanks to its three separate racing courses, it can host large crowds and equestrians every season!

Aside from horse racing, Gulfstream Park has become a venue for entertainment in this section of the Miami Metropolitan Area. 

You'll often find concerts on the grounds next to the grandstands, with many local and national artists gracing the stage. 

And then, there's the casino itself, where you can enjoy slot machines and related games. 

From classic favorites to new versions, you'll find an array of games that will have you playing for hours! 

You can't say you've traveled to Hallandale Beach without visiting Gulfstream Park, so don't forget to put that in your itinerary!

Hallandale Beach: South Florida's Next Real Estate Hot Spot

Longtime residents know that, not too long ago, Hallandale Beach was just a tiny bit more than a scruffy beach town. 

Yet today, they're finding themselves in the epicenter of a real estate investment boom, rapidly on its way to emerging as South Florida's next prime real estate nexus-- thanks to the city's enormous renovation projects, new developments, and the arrival of upscale restaurants and shop!

But the transformation wasn't too surprising. Wan estimated population of nearly 40,000, Hallandale Beach is among the fastest-growing Broward County municipalities. 

It has long been so well known for Canadian snowbirds wintering near its Atlantic Ocean beaches that Hallandale has sometimes been dubbed "the southernmost Canadian city."

Today, it continues to attract a more global contingent, with several Europeans buying vacation homes, drawn to the fact that Hallandale is conveniently between Fort Lauderdale and Miami and close to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Miami International Airports, the Port of Miami, and I-95.

Among the most recent Hallandale Beach's oceanfront developments are the Hallandale ArtSquare, a six-building mixed-use community, and 2000 Ocean, a private residential nook.