As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the milestone has prompted a renewed look at the cultural moments that shaped the country. From fashion and travel to art and design, the past two and a half centuries reveal a nation constantly imagining what comes next. Few periods captured that spirit of optimism quite like the mid-20th century.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Space Race captured the national imagination, highways expanded across the country and a new architectural language emerged to match the moment. Known as Googie, the futuristic architectural style embraced sweeping lines, dramatic angles and space-age motifs designed to catch the attention of drivers speeding past in cars.
In South Florida, one of the most striking examples opened in 1965 along the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale: Pier Sixty-Six.
The historic site began as a fuel dock for Phillips 66 Petroleum in the 1950s along the famed Intracoastal Waterway. Over time, the location evolved into a world-class marina in what would become known as the yachting capital of the world. In the 1960s, the Pier Sixty-Six hotel and its iconic spire tower were built, forever changing Fort Lauderdale’s skyline.
The 17-story tower quickly became one of Florida’s most recognizable expressions of Googie architecture. At its peak sat the rotating Pier Top cocktail lounge, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway as the room slowly revolved above the harbor.
“At the time it opened, Pier Top was an expression of the future,” said Colm O’Callaghan, managing director of Pier Sixty-Six. “It captured a moment when travel, technology and design were all moving forward at the same time.”
The lounge quickly became a social hub for Fort Lauderdale. Celebrities, yacht owners and international travelers gathered for sunset cocktails and sweeping waterfront views, making Pier Sixty-Six one of South Florida’s most recognizable destinations. The property and its exceptional waterfront location drew civic leaders, local society and visitors from around the world.
The property closed in 2017, beginning a yearslong multi-billion-dollar redevelopment led by Tavistock Development Company. In 2025, Pier Sixty-Six reopened as a reimagined resort and residential destination while restoring the landmark that defined it.
“When you are working with a place that holds so many memories for a community, you approach it with a lot of respect,” O’Callaghan said. “Preserving the original elements of Pier Sixty-Six was not just about maintaining aesthetics. It was about protecting the character and history that made the property so special for generations of visitors.”
At the center of the transformation was the preservation of Pier Top and its distinctive Googie architectural identity. The legendary spire tower was fully restored to preserve its bold angular shape and its recognizable crown of trihedrons, which pay homage to the V-shaped canopy design of Phillips 66 gas stations from the 1950s.
“The tower is the heart of the property,” O’Callaghan said. “When people see it in the skyline, they immediately know where they are.”
Set on 32 waterfront acres, the redevelopment introduced a resort with more than 325 guest rooms and suites, along with the first residential offerings at Pier Sixty-Six featuring 88 luxury condominiums and resort residences. Other standout features include 12 dining destinations and Zenova Spa & Wellness, which spans 13,000 square feet and includes the region’s first snow room.
Each of Pier Sixty-Six’s waterfront structures reflects a distinct coastal identity, with spacious cantilevered balconies and exteriors inspired by natural coastal forms such as coral and wind-swept sand dunes. Inside, the resort’s interiors celebrate its mid-century modern roots with contemporary design, neutral palettes and expansive windows that frame views of the marina, waterfront and surrounding palm trees.
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, landmarks like Pier Sixty-Six offer a glimpse into how Americans once imagined the future. Today, guests who step inside the rotating lounge experience more than a view. They step into a living piece of architectural history.
