The City of Sunrise was founded in 1961 as Sunrise Golf Village by developer Norman Johnson who was from Iowa. He brought prospective buyers to this city on the western edge of Broward County by building model homes. Johnson had originally considering using Sunset in the name but reconsidered for the more optimistic Sunrise which he planned to market to retirees. The new community became famous for its upside down house created by Johnson and F. E. Dykstra. The home was completely furnished, and the carport had an upside-down car. There were many news features about the house and a feature in Life magazine. Thousands were drawn to the attraction and many stayed to make their home in the new city. By 1967 the city had a population of 4,300 and was 1.75 square miles. The city eventually expanded westward out to the edge of the Everglades for a total of 18 square miles and changed its name to Sunrise in 1971. Today the city has a population of approximately 100,000 people. The Amerant Bank Arena previously known as the National Car Rental Center, Office Depot Center, BankAtlantic Center, BB&T Center, and FLA Live Arena opened in 1998. The arena is the home of the Florida Panthers and hosts concerts and other major events. In 1990 the first phase of Sawgrass Mills Mall opened. The mall now offers a large and diverse selection of stores and restaurants. In 2007 Ikea opened which enabled everyone to get their Swedish meatball fix and be able to purchase cheap put together furniture. While most people visit Sunrise for the arena and mall, there is much more to Sunrise if you dig a little deeper. For one thing the city has some amazing parks which include Welleby Park, Oscar Wind Park, Sawgrass Sanctuary, and Oak Hammock Park. The city's commitment to maintaining well-kept parks enhances the overall quality of life for residents. Cultural events can be enjoyed at the Sunrise Civic Center Theatre and Art Gallery. The city has a number of restaurants especially by the mall. \Whether you are craving traditional Floridian cuisine or international restaurants that offer a taste of global flavors, there's something to satisfy every palate. As the city grew, the residential areas were able to maintain a suburban charm, providing a pleasant contrast to the bustling commercial areas. The neighborhoods are well-planned, with clean streets and a sense of community that makes it an ideal place for families. Sunrise, Florida, is a destination for entertainment, recreation, and community living. With its diverse offerings and friendly atmosphere, Sunrise continues to shine bright in Broward County. read more

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Every visit seems to involve excessive wait times, unclear instructions, and staff members who appear overwhelmed or uninformed. Simple requests, such as obtaining permits or accessing public records, become unnecessarily complicated due to poor organization and lack of communication. Additionally, phone lines frequently go unanswered, and online resources are outdated or incomplete. As residents, we rely on City Hall to provide essential services, yet the current system feels dismissive of our time and concerns. I urge the administration to address these issues and prioritize meaningful improvements. read more

Extremely nice staff and willing to help! Would do business here again. And everything was extremely clean.

I personally had trouble dealing with this city when I worked with government agencies in Broward County. That was my on the job experience. I felt different when not at work. I can't speak for their business handling abilities currently. I know they always ran a tight ship in the past. Sunrise has some wonderful sites and venues. Sawgrass Mall was my home away from home when I lived there. That's going to be my first stop when I return for a visit. In my next life I'm sure. My fondest memories were spent at Sunrise Musical Theater it opened in 1976 and closed in 2002. I loved the size of the space. It was great for a close up seat for my favorite bands. As you can see by my old ticket stubs my daughter and I spent time enjoying her teenage years at Sunrise Musical Theater. After she went to college I returned alone to see Robert Plant. He's a favorite. I'm sure the city provides this kind of enjoyment for current Broward County Residents and visitors. Review this city and let me know. Especially provide information before I return!! read more

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I've been living in City of Sunrise for over 4 years now. All the way out west of Fort Lauderdale with the Everglades nestled west of it. It's a suburban area that has an urban feel. The two prominent landmarks, Sawgrass Mills Mall and the BB&T center. Sunrise is building up and I see a future "Fort Lauderdale" soon. Coming from New England, the city's residents are truly spoiled. No potholes, if there are one, they fill it up right away. The streets are clean from debris and roadkill. The weather is beautiful year-round. Everything you need is in the city. There are plenty of restaurants; especially Asian and Caribbean food. I just wish they had some of the more "hip" ones like they do out east. Overall, it's a great city to live in. It's a working class city that is booming and will keep growing. Traffic is heavy just like everywhere else near here. I can't wait for them to update the landscape and make it look like Boca Raton or Weston, one day..... read more

I want to share my experience in this office on Thursday 10th January 2019 because we are used to giving comments only when they receive us badly, but very little time when the experience is phenomenal. I did not ask the name of the Latin lady who answered me about a problem with my water payment, for a disconnection that the park where I lived had not resolved, but this lady was so kind that she offered her help in a way that I felt Weird in a public service office, where the attention is usually terrible, but if all the people who provide customer service in the government offices were like it would be spectacular. The lady was in the first window, and I noticed that the excellent service was with everyone equally. my respects to her. read more

A difficult and non business friendly city thereby stagnating the survivorship of business. I would think twice and probably never would invest in a city that does not have the best interest of those that invest in it in mind. Building officials are indifferent, rude, obnoxious and I'd be hard pressed not to say discriminatory. It's a shame hard working entrepreneurs have to deal with such bureaucratic entities that stifle our communities economic growth in order sure their comfortable pay and benefits based on the efforts and risks. read more