Palm Beach commission approves new security gates, fencing for The Breakers; council to consider request in February

Jodie Wagner, Palm Beach Daily News
·3 min read
The Breakers has received initial approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to add new fencing, gates and gate arms.
The Breakers has received initial approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to add new fencing, gates and gate arms.

As part of a decade-long effort to boost security, The Breakers has received initial approval to add new fencing, gates and guard house gate arms on portions of the 140-acre property.

During its monthly meeting on Jan. 18, the Landmarks Preservation Commission issued a certificate of appropriateness for the installation of seven decorative metal vehicular gates, four decorative metal pedestrian gates, seven new crash-rated guardhouse gate arms, and five sections of decorative metal fencing totaling nearly 5,200 feet in length.

The fencing would be 6 feet high and screened with existing landscape, according to town documents.

The project still needs Town Council approval to move forward. Council members are expected to review and vote on the project at their February meeting.

Related:Breakers in Palm Beach partners with Tihany Design to reimagine the resort

"We've been working on security at The Breakers for over 10 years, and we've really been trying to control access to the property, especially at night," said James Crowley, an attorney representing The Breakers. "What we're proposing to do is secure the property around the perimeter with some new fencing behind the hedge. Most of this will be screened by landscaping."

When complete, the project will be visually compatible with existing buildings and the environment of The Breakers, Crowley told commissioners.

Proposed modifications include the installation of gates and fencing that do not physically alter the existing hotel buildings, and are consistent with the volume, width and height of the façades of adjacent hotel buildings, according to town documents.

As part of a certificate of appropriateness approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission Jan. 18, The Breakers received permission to install seven new crash-rated guardhouse gate arms, as shown in this rendering.
As part of a certificate of appropriateness approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission Jan. 18, The Breakers received permission to install seven new crash-rated guardhouse gate arms, as shown in this rendering.

The new gates and fencing will copy the look, materials and color of the other gates and fencing materials at the property, Crowley said, while the new guard house gate arms are the same size, look and location as the current guard arms, though they will be crash-rated to provide additional security to hotel guests and employees.

Existing landscaping will screen the proposed gates and fencing from adjacent properties and rights-of-way.

"What we're trying to do is really just secure the property with what we think is very attractive fencing, which will be screened by landscaping," Crowley said.

Landmarks commissioners voted unanimously to approve the project, and commended The Breakers and its architectural team for designing new gates and fencing that are compatible with the hotel's existing buildings.

"The decorative gates fit in very well with the ironworks on the buildings," commissioner Pat Segraves said. "I like it better than seeing a chain link gate with mesh on it in that area. I think overall it's a great improvement, and I certainly understand the need for the security."

The Breakers, originally named the Palm Beach Inn, was founded in 1896 by developer and railroad pioneer Henry Morrison Flagler. At the time, it was the only oceanfront hotel south of Daytona Beach.

Flagler doubled the size of the inn for the 1901 season, and he renamed it The Breakers.

The resort marked its 125th anniversary in 2021. Today, it remains one of just 1,000 family-owned businesses in the United States that is more than 100 years old and still under its original ownership.

The Breakers, at 1 S. County Road, boasts 538 guest rooms and suites as well as a private beach club with four pools, five whirlpool spas, 25 poolside bungalows and a variety of on-site watersports.

The property also features two championship golf courses, one of which is 10 miles west; 10 Har-Tru tennis courts; a Forbes five-star spa; an indoor-outdoor fitness center; 14 boutiques; and a family entertainment center with children’s programs.

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Breakers hotel wins initial approval for new security fencing and gates