Thunderbird Heliport

Land redevelopment for commercial use. The heliport was located on the northern portion of the property belonging to the famous Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop. This section of the property was sold to developers and subsequently cleared to build the 'Riverbend Marketplace' retail center.

The site has been completely redeveloped and is now the location of the Riverbend Marketplace, a large retail shopping center. The specific coordinates of the former heliport now correspond to the area occupied by a Home Depot and its surrounding parking lot.

The Thunderbird Heliport was a private-use facility intrinsically linked to the iconic Thunderbird Swap Shop (later renamed the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop) and its flamboyant owner, entrepreneur and race car collector Preston Henn. The heliport was not a public facility and did not handle commercial or military traffic. Its primary function was to serve as a private landing pad for Mr. Henn, who frequently used his helicopter for personal and business travel to and from the Swap Shop. Its significance is as a footnote in the history of a major local landmark and its well-known proprietor.

None. The land has been permanently and completely repurposed for large-scale commercial retail. There are no plans, prospects, or physical space for a heliport to be re-established at this location.