Sports and Recreational Facilities

And now, for the latest in luxury amenities: a floating padel court opens in Miami

The court will be moved in the spring to a beach resort hotel in the Bahamas.
Dec. 23, 2024
2 min read
Yntegra Group
A. padel court is floating along the MIami water line. Image: Yntegra Group
A. padel court is floating along the MIami water line. Image: Yntegra Group

In a fusion of sports, design, and nature, the real estate developer and investor Yntegra Group recently unveiled what it’s touting as the first-ever transportable Floating Padel Court.

The 84-ton court, whose dimensions are 16.4 x 38.4 x 71.5 ft, will be located off of Miami’s Fisher Island until May 2025, when it will be moved to the Bahamas, where it will serve as a luxury amenity.

The court offers a preview of the kinds of innovation vacationers can expect at Yntegra’s upcoming Rosewood Exuma hotel, to be situated on a 124-acre private island in the Caribbean. When it opens in 2028, the 33-suite luxury hotel will include a 20,000-sf wellness sanctuary, a beach club, and two marinas that accommodate yachts.

Rosewood will prioritize sustainable building practices throughout the development of the property, including solar-powered energy sources.

Felipe MacLean, Yntegra Group’s CEO, spoke with BD+C earlier this month about the court, which was launched on December 10. “Our vision at Yntegra Group is to elevate hospitality by creating unique, memorable experiences for our clients while redefining luxury living through exceptional, one-of-kind amenities. The floating padel court was inspired by the vision of curating vibrant experiences on the water for our future guests at Rosewood Exuma.”

Stability was a priority

Yntegra Group
In the spring, the court will be moved to a resort location in the Bahamas. Image: Yntegra Group
In the spring, the court will be moved to a resort location in the Bahamas. Image: Yntegra Group

Yntegra, he said, collaborated with a mix of international companies on the court’s development. Engineering support came from a Singapore-based firm; and the hurricane-proof amenity features Spanish technology. Yntegra handled the assembly that incorporates finishing touches such as a floating dock attached to one side, and an Australian-origin handmade fender that blends in around the platform. The court is also equipped with lighting for night playing; video cameras, navigation lights, and security sensors.

MacLean was a bit coy about the court’s cost. “We jokingly refer to it as the ‘one-million-dollar court,’ [which highlights] the level of investment and innovation it represents.”

Ynetgra Group
The floating court is designed to be as stable as if it were on land. Image: :Yntegra Group
The floating court is designed to be as stable as if it were on land. Image: :Yntegra Group
When asked about the practicality of a padel court drifting atop moving water, MacLean explained that the hulls below the court, which serve as its foundation, are designed to support residential structures, much like the over-water villas in the Maldives or Seychelles. “This advanced engineering ensures the court is as stable as it would be on land,” he stated. “As someone who regularly plays tennis and padel, I made sure that [the] stability and feel of the court were a key priority during development to guarantee the best possible experience for anyone playing on it.”

About the Author

John Caulfield

John Caulfield is Senior Editor with Building Design + Construction Magazine. 

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