Who is Imperial Point?

Welcome to Imperial Point, a vibrant community located Northeast Fort Lauderdale that has both a rich history and bright future. With a prime location just 10 minutes to the beach, our neighborhood is bordered by Federal Highway to the East, NE 58th Street to the South, NE 18th Avenue to the West, and McNab Road to the North. You'll find the residential areas of Imperial Point, Coral Highlands, Westfield, and Colonial Ridge represented by our respected Imperial Point Civic Association. Nearby, Broward Health Imperial Point Medical Center offers healthcare services, and Dottie Mancini Park provides a peaceful retreat.

The area boasts convenient access to restaurants, shops, grocery stores, schools, libraries, and places of worship. The Imperial Point Civic Association hosts various events throughout the year, such as member meetings with guest speakers, block parties, and yard sales. The neighborhood's identity really shines during its signature events like the Spring Fling, Fall Harvest Picnic, and Winter in the Park.

Imperial Point stands out for its sense of community. It caters to different preferences, offering privacy for some and camaraderie for others. The neighborhood sponsors in activities such as swale reclamation and the “Green Your Routine” initiative to enhance its environment. Board meetings and volunteer efforts contribute to the neighborhood's growth and well-being. Acts of kindness and support further strengthen the community's bonds.

The Imperial Point Newsletter captures the essence of the neighborhood, sharing stories, updates, advice, and images that reflect its unique character. Participating in this diverse and remarkable community becomes a meaningful experience within the pages of this thriving tapestry.

Won’t you come join us?

The Original Platt Map

Our History

  • Fresh off of its success in developing Coral Ridge Harbor (the northern most waterfront streets in Coral Ridge Isles) and Cypress Harbor in Pompano Beach, the Haft Gaines Company turned their attention to a vast tract of undeveloped land acquired from Coral Ridge Properties that existed north of Northeast 56th Street in 1960. Within this parcel existed a serene pond, home to fish, birds, and even alligators, nestled within a landscape of pristine white sand, Slash Pine, and saw palmetto. Haft Gaines, founded by the Haft brothers Burt and Richard, along with Jack Gaines, envisioned a remarkable transformation of the land for a new, state-of-the-art community marketed to retired professionals. Here, IMPERIAL POINT was born.

Imperial Point Main Entrance Gate off US1

  • Led by head of development Dave Curland, an experienced construction team brought their vision to reality. The land was cleared and a grand entrance of old Chicago brick, marked by ornate fountains and lush foliage designed by noted landscape architect Frederic Stresau, heralded a new standard.
  • The brick used in the Imperial Point entrance is original old Chicago brick reclaimed from an Augusta, Georgia post office torn down in 1959. Streets were paved and 10 model homes were constructed on Imperial Point Drive.

Arial View of Early Imperial Point

  • Circa October 1960, Imperial Point stands ready to receive its first guests.

Customize your Home!

  • Haft-Gaines brought a solution to an underserved market, enabling retirees with mid-level budgets to design and purchase a house with the ability to create their dreams from the ground up.
  • Each detail from kitchen cabinets to bathroom marble to terrazzo chip was theirs to define. The Haft-Gaines Architectural Design Department was available to customize the home to each buyer’s own taste. They also offered a “Order Now/Build Later” option, allowing purchasers to order their personalized home with a nominal deposit for completion within the following 12 months.

Imperial Point in Life Magazine!

  • Distinguished not only in design but in functionality, IMPERIAL POINT proudly stood as one of the first fully electrified developments nationwide. Its allure was magnified by the presence of cutting-edge General Electric appliances and other space age conveniences. IMPERIAL POINT emerged as a testament to Haft Gaines’ architectural prowess and innovation, and Life Magazine bestowed the title of "Builders for Broward."
  • Imperial Point enjoyed a special relationship with General Electric. The noted American conglomerate supplied all of the electrical equipment for the homes, including kitchen appliances, central air conditioning systems, hot water tanks, and circuit breaker panels.

The GOLD Medallion

  • Each home built originally featured a Gold Medallion on the exterior to signify that the home was all-electric.

Highlighted at the World's Fair

  • The company was so pleased with how Imperial Point developed that it prominently featured the neighborhood in its 1964 World’s Fair pavilion, along with its 1963 company calendar. See Imperial Point video produced for the Worlds fair

Enjoy this 1964 video featuring Imperial Point!

A newsreel created for the "Progressland" exhibit at the 1964 World's Fair. Rossmore Leisure World in Seal Beach, CA has total electric living by GE. Bell X14A experimental aircraft can redirect thrust of its two GE J-85 engines for vertical takeoff and landing.

Western Reserve University library uses GE computer to store abstracts and to index documents. Mobile X-ray unit combats TB in Honduras. New electric heater for sauna. GE Customer Service has facility in Grand Central Station where commuters can drop off small appliances.

Mobile serviceman for large appliances is dispatched by radio.

Imperial Point in Ft. Lauderdale has 1500 luxury houses using GE appliances and climate control.

NASA Research lands airplane using closed circuit TV. Refueling the Dresden nuclear power plant. Home for handicapped in NYC has GE appliances.

Phase I – Old Florida Style Advertising

  • 1960 to 1963
  • Advertising emphasized a happy, carefree, modern lifestyle for retirees during the first years of the neighborhood’s development. With the majority of homes being designed in the “Old Florida” style, along with Colonial and Cape Cod influences, the homes emphasized an easy, fashionable way of Florida living.

Phase 1 Model Homes

Model Street Scene

  • Interior tiles were soft pastels in shades of pink, blue, yellow, and aqua, while floors sported bare terrazzo or “popcorn” carpeting. Details included marble in some bathrooms and elegant cabinetry in the kitchens. On the exterior, all homes were painted bright white with either black or pastel color trims. All homes also had white tile roofs as required by the deed restrictions then in effect. Also required by the deed restrictions were a noticeable lack of fences, as only chain link ones were allowed.
  • The Westminster model sported a Federal exterior style with a large bay window. Across the rear of the home, a panoramic kitchen opened to a swimming pool enabling gracious entertaining.
  • The Empire Model emphasized a casual mid-century Florida way of life, with breezeblock walls in the carport and lush landscaping. Inside, the all-electric kitchen had a passthrough to the dining room and a large bay window to the backyard.
  • The popular Hampshire Model with bold midcentury styling featured a paneled den with bookcases and a sweeping wall of sliding glass doors to a large screened porch.
  • The Majestic Model was designed for family living, highlighted by a graceful courtyard with wrought iron gates. Out back, residents could relax on the breakfast terrace next to their swimming pool.

Prospective Buyers

  • Prospective buyers tour model row on Imperial Point Drive.

Joseph Jamrog

  • One of Imperial Point's first residents Joseph Jamrog waters the backyard of his Cavalier model at 2117 N.E. 61st Court. The ribbon of blacktop seen in the background is N.E. 62nd Street heading west.

Phase II – The Street of Dreams

1963 to 1967

IMPERIAL POINT’s calling card became customization. Haft Gaines had learned a great deal about design and suppliers during its development of The Landings waterfront neighborhood, and now brought that knowledge to Imperial Point.

The second model row, affectionately called “The Street of Dreams” in its advertising, was constructed along N.E. 22nd Terrace just south of Imperial Point Drive. Ads spoke to customization, having exactly the retirement home you wanted.

Second Phase Models

Colonial architecture had a major influence on the neighborhood’s home styles, with red brickface, cupolas, and columns adorning exteriors. Some homes even displayed body colors of cream and soft pink. Inside, designs became fancier and materials of higher quality, with the most expensive models featuring wrought iron railings along raised walkways and plaster cove moldings on ceilings. Colors for bathroom tiles and appliances became bolder, with brighter yellows, blues, pinks, copper, and even purple!

Ambassador Model

Royalty Model

Victoria Model

Cambridge Model

Cambridge Model Kitchen

Cambridge Model Pool

Mayfair Model

Mayfair Model Kitchen

Mayfair Model Livingroom

Expansive walls of glass at the rear of houses led to screened in-ground swimming pools. For the first time, buyers could choose from optional extras such as “Hi-Fi” record players and built-in antique brick barbecues by the pool.

Optional "HI-Fi" Record Player

Optional BBQ Pit