The Dirt: Private clubs in West Palm Beach on the rise as new residents seek exclusivity
Welcome to The Dirt! I’m real estate reporter Kimberly Miller with the latest developments in the sizzling market.
The evolution of West Palm Beach to a high-rolling sophisticated city with marijuana dispensaries lining Clematis Street and no movie theater has been swift since the pandemic sent a bunch of affluent Northeasterners fleeing south, but there's something missing, a certain je ne sais quoi that comes with the champs, caviar and red velvet ropes.
But don't fear! Private clubs are on the rise in the city by the lagoon where the well-heeled can rub elbows out of sight of the lesser-heeled. And while these aren't the stodgy old-money clubs of yore, they may share some characteristics. The planned Bellini Rooftop Club will cost a few thousand dollars, but it will be "almost impossible" to get into.
Well, OK then. Good to know. Couldn't afford the few thousand dollars anyway. 😋
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Billy Joel may be past his clubbing days. Word is he just bought a house in Boca Raton ― the Studio 54-esque hot spot of South Florida 😉 (not really). The waterfront abode in The Sanctuary does offer 24/7 guard protection on the roads and the water, so there's that.
Also, something must have gotten into the water over on the island because the notoriously uncompromising Architectural Commission saw a plan for a Spanish-style house, and, drumroll please, they liked it! On the first go around! One of the commissioners called it "fantastic." So, I'll have whatever they're having please. Thank you.
NYU Langone Health follows the wealthy and elderly to West Palm Beach
NYU Langone Health had been fishing around for a new spot in West Palm Beach for a while before finalizing a deal last month on a $33 million purchase of a downtown property on Datura Street. It's just good business sense to follow your clients, or future clients (colonoscopy reminder for everyone 45 and older!). And NYU isn't the only healthcare provider choosing West Palm Beach.
With the NYU move will come another downtown teardown and rebuild. This time to seven stories, three of which will be parking.
Quick turnaround for former Cannonsport condominium and marina in Palm Beach Shores
The Cannonsport condominium and marina in Palm Beach Shores was bought for an eye-popping $58.5 million last year and is undergoing a massive glamour shot-worthy makeover to become the new HAVN Residences and Yacht Club. Palm Beach Shores, whose mayor is a former CIA spy (no, really), has been beset by developers looking for waterfront opportunities.
But they have to work within strict height limits that were set practically when the town at the south end of Singer Island was just a glimmer in the eye of Paris Singer, heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune, hence the name Singer Island. Clever, huh?
New house near Trump's Mar-a-Lago sells for a song
A brand new home in Palm Beach sold for $21.8 million, which seems a little low these days for ocean views and nearly 10,000 square feet. But, as luxury real estate reporter Darrell Hofheinz explains, the actual amount that changed hands was higher because furnishings were sold separately. Phew, we thought Palm Beach home values might be feeling squeezed there for a second.
Still, the home did sell for less than its original 2022 list price of $32 million. So maybe it's not a full squeeze, just a little pinch?
Is Boca Raton ready for Billy Joel?
All clues point to Billy Joel buying a prime waterfront corner lot in the ultra-exclusive Sanctuary in Boca Raton for $29 million as he tries to sell an estate on Manalapan and another in Long Island. Why Boca Raton? Well, The Sanctuary is known for its security on land and in the water, is close to acclaimed private schools for his two young daughters and the property has enough waterfront on the Intracoastal for multiple boats.
In Manalapan, he has to cross South Ocean Boulevard to get to his dock, and any old yahoo can walk by on the beach. Who needs that hassle? Not the Piano Man for sure.
Live lightly.
Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: All evidence points to Piano Man Billy Joel buying home in Boca Raton
