Sunrise Key is a lovely private island community in northeast Fort Lauderdale. It is situated between Las Olas and Sunrise Boulevards, in the center of the Middle River, a wide waterway that splits off from the Intracoastal and meanders northwards. The river comes to an end at a low overpass of Sunrise Blvd, just north of Sunrise Key, continuing only for small watercraft, jet skis and kayaks. South of Sunrise Key, with just a deepwater canal between them, are the exclusive Nurmi Isles and Seven Isles; to the west is the “mainland” neighborhood of Victoria Park; and to the east is the Intracoastal Waterway. Because of its outstanding location, Sunrise Key provides some of the best deepwater dockage in the city, making it an appealing location for boaters and yachtsmen.

The idea of a manmade island in this part of the Intracoastal was conceived in the late 1950’s. Earlier, in 1952, Real Estate Developer Victor Nurmi was in the process of dredging to create what are now the Nurmi Isles, just to the south. In October 1957, Eastern Property Land Developers announced the development of their own manmade key to the north of Nurmi. By February 1958, Eastern Properties had sold all but 17 of the 82 waterfront lots they had carved out on the island they created. Sunrise Key soon became known as one of the most expensive and exclusive communities in Fort Lauderdale, where every home was situated on a deepwater lot.

In 1995, Sunrise Key created a bit of a stir over the introduction of a security gate at the entrance to the island. In order to increase the privacy of the neighborhood, the neighborhood’s civic association sought to gate the single bridge entrance on Sunset Key Blvd, even though it was (and still is) a public road. The city agreed to allow the gate, but stipulated that it must automatically open for all visitors. In doing so, it slows cars just enough for a surveillance camera to capture their images, allowing the homeowners tighter control over the security of their neighborhood. In addition, a dedicated security car patrols the area checking on any slow-to-leave visitors.

Today, Sunrise Key is filled with magnificent waterfront estates and is truly the private, exclusive neighborhood that the developers envisioned, featuring some of the most expensive homes in Fort Lauderdale. While Sunrise Key was developed in the late 1950s, many homes were rebuilt in the 1990s and 2000s. Any of the original homes that do remain have typically undergone extensive renovations and updates, adding modern amenities and features. It is also not uncommon to see tennis courts and magnificent pool areas throughout the neighborhood that could rival any resort in the area. But what truly set this neighborhood apart from others are the expansive deepwater docks that can accommodate mega yachts and multiple vessels. In addition, views from every property are panoramic and look out onto the Intracoastal or across the river. Prices of homes on Sunrise Key start over $2 million and, because the island is so small, you typically won’t find more than 2-3 homes for sale at any given time.

Sunrise Key is considered by many to be one of Fort Lauderdale’s best kept secrets. A secluded oasis, tucked away and offering privacy and exclusivity, yet is just minutes to all that Fort Lauderdale has to offer. For more information on this and other great Fort Lauderdale communities, contact The Gayle Borden Group at 954.525.3355.