SUNRISE, FLORIDA

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Sunrise is a city in Broward County in South Florida, located about six miles west of Fort Lauderdale and roughly 35 miles north of Miami. It has a population of 101,643.

It is part of the large Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach metropolitan area, one of the most populous urban regions in the United States.

The city sits near the western edge of Broward County, not far from the vast wetlands of the Everglades. Several major highways make Sunrise easy to reach.

Interstate 75 runs along its western edge, while Interstate 595 provides a direct route east toward Fort Lauderdale and the Atlantic coast.

The Sawgrass Expressway (State Road 869) also passes through the city, linking it with communities throughout Broward County.

The community that eventually became Sunrise began in 1960 when developer Norman Johnson purchased about 2,650 acres of land in southwestern Broward County.

At the time the area was largely undeveloped and far from the urban centers along the coast. Johnson envisioned a new residential community and named it Sunrise Golf Village.

Early promotion for the development was creative and unusual. Johnson and fellow developer F. E. Dykstra built an “upside-down house” to attract attention from potential homebuyers.

The structure appeared as if it had been turned completely upside down, complete with an inverted automobile in the carport.

Curious visitors traveled from around the country to see the attraction, and the publicity helped bring national attention to the small community.

Sunrise Golf Village was officially incorporated in 1961, with Johnson appointed as its first mayor by Florida Governor C. Farris Bryant. At that time the town had fewer than 350 residents and covered less than two square miles.

During this period the town had about 4,300 residents and began expanding westward as Broward County itself grew rapidly.

In 1971 the community shortened its name to simply Sunrise. Through annexation and new development the city gradually expanded to more than 18 square miles.

By the mid-1980s Sunrise had reached a population of about 50,000 people.

The city experienced challenges during the 1980s, including financial difficulties and limited economic development. In the early 1990s local leaders focused on rebuilding infrastructure and attracting businesses.

One result was the creation of Sawgrass International Corporate Park, a large office complex that brought major companies to the area.

Another important development came in 1990 with the opening of Sawgrass Mills, which would become one of the largest outlet shopping centers in the United States.

Because of its transportation connections, Sunrise has become an important hub for shopping, entertainment, and business in South Florida.

Sunrise has grown steadily since the late twentieth century. According to recent estimates, the city has a population of about 102,000 residents, making it one of the larger cities in Broward County.

Today Sunrise covers about 18 square miles and includes residential neighborhoods, shopping districts, corporate offices, and recreational facilities.

Its location between the Atlantic coast and the Everglades gives residents convenient access to both urban amenities and natural Florida landscapes.

Modern Sunrise is a busy suburban city that blends residential neighborhoods with major commercial and entertainment destinations.

Many visitors know the city primarily for Sawgrass Mills, a massive outlet mall with more than 400 stores that attracts millions of shoppers each year.

Next door to the mall is Amerant Bank Arena, home of the NHL’s Florida Panthers hockey team and a venue for concerts and major events. These attractions draw tourists and residents from across South Florida.

My daughter and sons recently attended a concert there featuring "The Who."  I had to ask them who that was.

The city has also developed into an important business center. Large companies and healthcare organizations have offices in the Sawgrass International Corporate Park, and Sunrise maintains its own municipal utilities, police department, and parks system.

For shoppers and diners, Sunrise offers a wide range of choices. Sawgrass Mills alone features dozens of restaurants, entertainment venues, and outlet stores selling name-brand goods at discount prices.

Visitors can find everything from casual food courts to full-service restaurants and cafes.

Sunrise has numerous neighborhood shopping plazas in addition to Sawgrass Mills, family-owned restaurants, and international eateries reflecting the city’s diverse population.

While the city is better known for modern retail than antique shops or art galleries, nearby communities in Broward County provide additional cultural and shopping experiences.

Sunrise also invests heavily in community amenities. The Sunrise Civic Center includes a theater, art gallery, and recreational facilities, while local parks provide playgrounds, sports fields, and swimming pools.

Today Sunrise is a thriving South Florida city that grew from a small experimental development into a regional center for shopping, entertainment, and business.

Its convenient location near major highways and the Everglades continues to make it an attractive place for residents and visitors alike.

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