America’s first resort destination, the Palm Beaches, began with a shipwreck. In 1878, a Spanish barque named Providencia ran aground on the 18-mile island that would one day become the town of Palm Beach. The vessel’s cargo – some 20,000 coconuts – provided the foundation for the beautiful coconut grove that caught the eye of oil tycoon Henry Flagler and led him to build a hotel there in the 1890s.
Today, Serena Williams, James Patterson, Jon Bon Jovi, Donald Trump and many other celebrities own property in town. But despite its star-studded population, this city of about 9,000 maintains a sense of small-town charm with a quaint downtown and tranquil oceanfront. “It’s classy, elegant old Florida… Great restaurants, great beaches,” says resident Richard Heller, a Realtor with United Realty Group.
The Palm Beach Town Hall is a historic site in the city, located on South County Road.
Palm Beach residents enjoy the cool ocean breeze on a morning run.
North Palm Beach residents can enjoy high end shopping in the shops along Worth Avenue.
The Interta steel sculpture is a gift to the city of Palm Beach.
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A small downtown around Worth Avenue
“Worth Avenue is Palm Beach’s Rodeo Drive,” Heller says. “Behind the storefronts are little alleyways with restaurants and shops and outdoor seating. It feels like you’re in Italy.” Palm Beach’s small downtown is a walkable, Mediterranean Revival-style strip on the island’s west side, down the street from the town marina. Its towering palm trees offer shade between local businesses, which range from art galleries and boutiques to patio cafes and upscale eateries. Pedestrians can stroll past the storefronts and stucco arches to the beach, where the Worth Avenue Clock Tower stands tall.
The Worth Avenue Clock Tower is a favorite spot for a photo for the visitors of Palm Beach.
Worth Ave Shopping Mall is a popular shopping stop for the residents of North Palm Beach.
The Jennifer Tattanelli Boutique offers the luxury of Italian elegance in Palm Beach.
Valentino offers haute couture to the residents of Palm Beach.
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The Estate Section of Palm Beach
The median price in Palm Beach is $2.4 million, significantly higher than the national median of roughly $420,400. Condos make up most of current listings, but single-family properties are also available. Historic homes can be found in the prestigious Estate Section of Palm Beach. The neighborhood is south of Worth Avenue, famously home to a street of waterfront mansions known as Billionaire’s Row.
Hurricane season ranges from early June to late November. Homebuyers should know their prospective property’s flood zone and necessary hurricane-proofing updates.
Oceanfront homes in Palm Beach range from palatial estates to modest beachfront properties.
Live in style with oceanfront views in the luxury condos of Palm Beach.
Mediterranean Revival homes with meticulous landscaping can be found in Palm beach.
Palm trees frame this coastal home in Palm Beach.
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“Wall Street South”
Palm Beach is a bridge away from Downtown West Palm Beach, which has gained notoriety over the past decade as “Wall Street South.” The county’s leading industries are still tourism, construction and agriculture, but West Palm Beach is steadily growing jobs for corporate headquarters, information technology, life sciences and finance.
Goldman Sachs and Blackrock are now established at The Wall St of the south in Palm Beach.
Downtown West Palm Beach sits between two beautiful waterways.
Discover treasures at the Life in Palm Beach store in Downtown West Palm Beach.
Entertaining vibes at The Square with live performances in Downtown West Palm Beach.
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Beaches, golf and dining Al Fresco
Palm Beach is renowned for its white sandy beaches and luxurious beach clubs, such as The Breakers, a historic luxury resort originally opened by Henry Flagler in the 1920s. The town also has a couple of golf courses, including the public Raymond Floyd Course. The 18-hole course offers views of the Intracoastal Waterway and ocean. It is home to the popular Italian restaurant Al Fresco, where diners can enjoy the sea breeze while eating breakfast or lunch.
Palm Beach residents enjoy the cool ocean breeze on a morning run.
The Raymond Floyd Golf course happily welcomes local Palm Beach golfers.
North palm Beach residents enjoy the North Palm Beach golf club which also offers tennis courts.
Al Fresco is one of the only waterfront restaurants in Palm Beach.
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The Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts
The School District of Palm Beach County is graded B-plus on Niche. The county operates various magnet programs and magnet schools, including West Palm Beach’s Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. The A-plus-rated high school is a top choice for creative-minded students. Niche ranks the school No. 17 on its list of the country’s best high schools for the arts.
Alexander W. Dreyfoos School is an internationally recognized art school in Palm Beach.
Rosarian Academy is committed to providing Palm Beach students with a quality education.
Palm Beach Christian Academy where Palm Beach children thrive.
Palm Beach Day Academy is a coeducational independent day school located in Palm Beach. .
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Two bridges to Downtown West Palm Beach
Four bridges connect Palm Beach to the mainland, and two directly connect to Downtown West Palm Beach. Interstate 95 access is 2 miles west. The main thoroughfare for navigating the island, roughly a half-mile wide, is the Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway, which merges with Ocean Boulevard. Public transportation is available through county-operated PalmTrans buses.
Crime
While specific crime data on the town is not readily available, West Palm Beach’s mayor recently announced a 20-year trend of low violent crime rates for his city. In 2023, The Palm Beach Post reported a lower violent crime rate for the county.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
