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The Ocean Manor
History… So Far
By Wayne Koss ©2011 Floridays Magazine
The Ocean Manor Resort has rested upon the Atlantic shore of the Galt
Ocean Mile for a half century. The story behind this beachfront property
is filled with excitement and daring, adjectives that also describe the
life of its visionary, James S. Hunt. In 1953, Hunt purchased 2466 acres
of barren oceanfront land from Arthur Galt, for whom the mile strip is
named. At the time, it marked the biggest real estate transaction in
America; in today’s dollars translating into an approximate $143 million
deal. The Ocean Manor would soon lay the cornerstone, becoming the first
hi-rise hotel and condo built directly on Fort Lauderdale Beach. The
city’s greatest boom would soon follow.
James S. Hunt was a man who lived simply, yet whose business endeavors
were often bold and grandiose. His foresight forever changed our
landscape, and his life story exemplifies adventure and determination.
The people of his day revered Hunt’s personal qualities and the
unselfish hard work ethics which he developed in Detroit, where he was
born and raised.
Growing up in the Motor City fueled his passion for the automobile
industry, which he learned from the ground up working after school as an
office boy/salesperson in the early 1900’s. Harnessing the energy of
motion enthralled him, but when the dark clouds of World War l loomed,
Hunt switched gears by joining the elite Royal Flying Corps as a fighter
pilot. His daring during the days of the Red Baron earned him two medals
for bravery, and his exploits landed him an immortal spot in the Ford
Museum as a pioneer of aviation.
The glory and jubilation of the post War era, however was soon followed
by the lowest time in American history, The Great Depression. During
these years, contrary to most, he would continue to reach for the skies,
proclaiming a positive attitude during his pep talks and rousing his
colleagues into singing Happy Days Are Here Again.
For Hunt, the gloom of the country would not dampen his entrepreneurial
spirit. Instead, he forged ahead to become the first Ford dealer and one
of the largest Chevrolet dealers in the Mid-West. And he left his
indelible mark on the industry with the creation of the NADA Blue Book,
which today is still a standard guide for used-car value. The Depression
years honed his real estate acumen, while most of the country was still
struggling, in the 1930’s Hunt built the Coral Sands Hotel in Fort
Lauderdale.
While success seemed to surround Hunt in both his automobile and real
estate endeavors, no one is insulated from the drum beats of war. And
once again he would step up to serve his country with the advent of
World War ll. As a Coast Guard Commander, Hunt would receive a Silver
Star for leading his ship ashore safely under a heavy battle. A year
later, he would be chosen to be the first National Commander of the
Coast Guard League.
After VJ day (Sept. 1945), Hunt followed his intuition and moved to
Florida where he believed that the east coast of the state would be real
estate gold for decades to come. He convinced Joe Taravella, a Coast
Guard mate from New York, to come along and assist his pioneering
efforts in the vast lands of magnificent sunsets and tropical splendors.
In 1946, working with his theory that cities expanded north bound,
except when blocked by natural barriers, Hunt made his first move with
the acquisition of 110 acres north of Fort Lauderdale for $89,000.The
previous owners had together paid $10,000 for the land a couple of years
prior. Hunt gave it the name of Coral Ridge and developed it into lots
that he would turn around and sell for $1,250,000, making a $400,000
profit.
Prior to James Hunt’s appearance, Fort Lauderdale had been primarily an
unheard of and insignificant town to the rest of the country—most of the
notable inhabitants where seasonal wealthy winter residents from the
Mid-West and a handful of local residents alongside a small Seminole
Indian tribe. All that was about to change.
Hunt’s plan to make the area a destination was resolute. Therefore, a
fine beach club, a modern yacht club, and a posh exclusive golf club
were in the design to lure those to the new extravagant province that at
this time was only a vision in his mind.
His foremost sights were now were on a rough barren strip of land along
the northern ocean of Fort Lauderdale owned by Arthur T. Galt.
The Galt Ocean Mile Gold Rush
Galt had sold this land in 1925 to the American-British Improvement
Company, which was owned by Mrs. Horace Dodge, Mrs. Edward Stotesbury,
James H. R. Cromwell, then King of Greece, and members of British
nobility. They had planned an extravagant development to be called
Floranada, but their $1,000,000 down payment went south when the 1926
Florida real-estate crash came.
In early 1949, Hunt placed a call to Galt to inform him that a
development plan was underway that would disconnect a portion of his
property between new a home site and the Intracoastal waterway
development. He advised Galt to purchase enough of the developer’s
terrain to halt the plan. Galt acted upon Hunt’s advice and would in
appreciation later grant an invitation to get together. This
introduction brought Hunt and his new partner, Steve Calder, the
opportunity to purchase 500 acres of Galt’s coveted land.
Greatly pleased with their well-planed and structured development, Galt
sold the remaining 2466 acres for just under $19,389,000, in October of
1953 (approximately $143,000,000 in today’s dollars) making it the
largest real estate deal in the country. On this soil, Hunt built the
Ocean Manor Resort, the first luxury hi-rise hotel built directly on
Fort Lauderdale Beach. This laid the foundation for the Galt Ocean Mile
boom and the city’s coastal corridor.
Within less than a decade, the Galt Ocean Mile held one-third of the
city’s population within a mile and over $100 million in projects
(approximately $750,000,000 in today’s dollars. Hunt would to take
possession of a residence at the Ocean Manor after becoming entranced by
the dramatic views from the 11-story structure.
As we fast forward, Hunt would found the city of Coral Springs in 1963
from the 3,860 acres of pastureland he had recently purchased. Even
though it was mostly marshland, Hunt paid a $1 million for this
ambitious undertaking. Holding true to his slogan: “There is nothing on
earth like earth.”
His concept of a totally planned Old South-styled city of
well-landscaped boulevards, brick colonial-styled public buildings, and
a covered bridge as its centerpiece took root. By 1964, Hunt and company
had developed a master plan for a city of 50,000 residents. On July 22nd
of that year a sale of 536 building lots netted $1.6 million-another
phenomenal monetary feat of its day.
In early 1965, Hunt bought an additional 6,000 acres increasing Coral
Springs to 16 square miles. On March 21st of 1965 he brought in late
night show host Johnny Carson into his coterie of celebrity endorsers.
Carson was master of ceremonies for an event that would draw over 10,000
people through the now historic covered bridge to a massive outdoor
barbecue. Over 6 tons of barbecued food was consumed with 1,100 home
sites being sold. Individual lots started at $2,695 (approx. $170,000
today) with houses costing $15,000 (approx. $943,000) to $20,000. Over
$2,000,000 (approx. $126,000,000) worth of residential lots sold within
ten minutes, landing Hunt and company once again at the center of
national attention with another unprecedented event.
Hunt encouraged Carson to purchase property here, which he did. He
bought 54.6 acres east of University Drive and north of Royal Palm
Boulevard. The investment paid off generously 6 years later when Carson
received five-fold his purchase price when he sold in 1971. Hunt would
render the vast majority of the remaining land to Westinghouse to
develop, this would eventually become WCI communities-a leading Florida
and national real estate company.
Their relationship grew from business associates to friends and
neighbors as Carson soon purchased a residence at the Ocean Manor
Resort, to soak in the tropical allures. Carson’s Tonight Show co-host
Ed McMahon could also be found relishing the splendors of this popular
resort among other high profile celebrities, just as they do today.
Public Relations executive, Jack Drury, who represented a venerable list
of clients in Fort Lauderdale in the 1960s including the Ocean Manor
Hotel and its owner at that time, former Fort Lauderdale Mayor, Melvin
"Cy" Young. In August of 1962, before Carson hosted his first NBC
Tonight Show in October of that year, Drury entertained Carson on his
first invite to the city. Since that first visit, Carson made Fort
Lauderdale his favorite place to visit and vacation and always looked to
Drury to find him a place to stay.
His visits became so frequent that Drury suggested to Cy Young to give
Johnny a suite at the Ocean Manor to use, which he, his family and
friends like Ed McMahon, enjoyed until Johnny moved the Tonight Show to
California in 1972.
Hunts endeavors undeniably make him among the territory’s great
pioneers. The cultivation of Fort Lauderdale’s Coral Ridge and Galt
Ocean Mile are a reflection of his of his significant legacy. Hunt also
convinced the airlines to advertise packaged tourist flights to Fort
Lauderdale, as they did to Miami and other major cities, leading the way
to Fort Lauderdale’s tourist foundation in the latter 60s.
As founder of Coral Springs his vision has attracted over 130,000
residents in less than 45 years. Schools in Fort Lauderdale and Coral
Springs bear his name, and his contributions to these communities have
enriched the lives of so many. Hunt has left his indelible footprint on
our firmament.
Turn the Page
Hunt’s stature certainly resonates and is deeply revered with the
current owner Frank Talerico who revels in the opportunity to bring more
significance in his own era. Ironically Talerico was to discover he had
walked in some of Hunts’ footsteps already as he is also from Detroit
and was a developer in Coral Springs before learning the tremendous feat
of his prominent predecessor.
websites:
www.Oceanmanor.com
www.Tokyoblueonthebeach.com
www.BambooBeach.com
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