Las Olas Boulevard

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Las Olas Boulevard is a popular thoroughfare located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States that runs from Andrews Avenue in the Central Business District to A1A and Fort Lauderdale Beach. The easternmost section of the boulevard is interlaced with canals and waterfront homes. The commercial stretch, approximately 1 mile in length, features cool sub-tropical breezeways and courtyards alive with bars, nightclubs, bridal stores, trendy shops, chic boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and hotels. It is sometimes referred to as the Rodeo Drive of Fort Lauderdale. The name "Las Olas" means "The Waves" in Spanish. There has been a radical change in the appearance of Las Olas over the past 10 years as a series of impressive office buildings and condominiums have been constructed.

[edit] History

The boulevard was constructed in 1917, when Las Olas was just a dirt road that crossed the swampy wetlands to the barrier island at Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Las Olas Isles were dredged in the 1920s to create land for the areas most picturesque waterfront residential district. The modern commercial segment of Las Olas Boulevard was constructed during the Post World War II era. The westernmost downtown segment was entirely reconstructed since the 1970s. The famous Elbo Room bar is situated at the easternmost terminus at A1A and the beach.

In the 1950s the original David's Bridal was established by David Reisberg.

In 1964 Southern Formals Tuxedo rental and sales was established.

In the 1980s Sue Gordon Bridal's opened.

In 1991 Victoria's Bridal Couture was established.