Site icon The Cregan Team

May/June: Letter from Palm Beach: Last Call!

Leopard Lounge
Last Call!
Lisa and John Cregan
Ranked #1
at Sotheby’s Palm Beach
Tall Tales From Ta-boó and Lore From The Leopard Lounge.
Sadly, this summer saw the passing of both these old-school saloons and with them some of Palm Beach’s most dazzling, if possibly apocryphal, stories. Like this one: In the early days of WWII, a man with a German accent walked in to Ta-boó and ordered a drink. The bartender kiddingly asked if he might be a U-boat captain on his day off. That got no reply, but afterward, multiple Palm Beachers claimed to have witnessed the man retrieving a rubber raft hidden at the beach and rowing out to sea in the darkness, never to be seen again.
And did Joe Kennedy actually lock himself in the Ta-boó ladies room with Gloria Swanson? Did Sinatra really have the piano player roughed up for playing the theme from the Godfather when he walked in? And is it true Barbara Hutton concocted the Bloody Mary there in a desperate search for a hangover cure?
Meanwhile the Leopard, nestled into the first floor of the Chesterfield Hotel, seems to have been an especial favorite of the Brits. The exiled Duke and Duchess Windsor loved a martini tête-à-tête amid the elegant black lacquer. Margaret Thatcher and husband Dennis were loyal tea time guests. And Palm Beach resident Rod Stewart remained a regular beneath the bar’s red and pink swirl of naked nymphs, right til the very end.
Even in Palm Beach, nothing is forever. The 1926 vintage Chesterfield has been purchased by the European luxury hotel group, the Oetker Collection, owners of the Bristol and the Eden Roc, and will reopen, much transformed, as The Vineta Hotel sometime in late 2024.
As for Ta-boó, which first opened in 1941, its premises have been leased to the Michelin-spangled chef, Thomas Keller. No carpetbagger, Keller is a local boy who got his start washing dishes at the Palm Beach Yacht Club. He’s vowed to hang on to the place’s history. Hopefully, that means keeping the lush bougainvillea that frames the entrance. We really won’t mind if Keller puts his own stamp on the menu.
Market Color: Opportunity Knocking
Market Color: Opportunity at the Door
As we’ve noted in this year’s letters, the most active segments of the market have been barbells in price– super high-end estate homes and luxury condominium units. As a result, inventory has built a bit in what would normally be the sweet spot of the market, i.e. single family in-town and North End homes. As you can see in the chart above, we’re still not back at Pre-Covid norms of 150 or so homes, but the available selection is about double where we were in 2021. It’s a great time to be looking – not only more to choose from, but also sellers who are more open to negotiation.
Our Recent Activity
*Pending- Our Seller* No Better Pied-a-Terre
One Bedroom Suite at the Famed Brazilian Court
One Bedroom Suite with Private Terrace

301 Australian Avenue 303, Palm Beach

$1,650,000

1
Bedrooms
1
Bathrooms
850
Sq Ft.
The epitome of a care-free pied-a-terre. Your own hideaway at the fabulous Brazilian Court hotel. Top floor one bedroom suite with a large living room and your own very private, east-facing terrace. Unit owners have all the privileges of hotel guest including access to the concierge services, fitness, pool, spa and of course, room service from Cafe Boulud!
But, no need to reserve a room. It’s always waiting for you. Additionally, unit owners may choose to offer their property in the Brazilian Court’s full-service rental program and earn income when not in residence.
Request A Private Showing
*Pending- Our Buyer off-market*
100 Worth Ave #717
Southern Views to Ocean, Town and Sunset
100 Worth Avenue #717 – 2 bedroom/2 bath 1,580 sqft. There are multiple reasons buyers love Winthrop House. There’s the terrific staff, the beautiful pool and gardens, the secret tunnel to the beach and, for the buyers of this unit, incredible 7th floor views–facing south, east and west to the ocean, the red tiled roofs of the estate section and the nighttime skyline of West Palm Beach.
Last asking price $4.65m
Our Current Listings
*Our Newest Listing* 596 N County Rd
Near North and Built for Entertaining
Near North 2020 Construction

596 N County Road, Palm Beach

$14,950,000

5
Bedrooms
7
Bathrooms
4,216
Sq Ft.
Stunning new two-story home (2020) designed by Nelo Freijomel, 5 BR, 6.5 baths, on deep lot in the near north end. High ceilinged, first floor master suite with separate his/her baths and closets opens directly on to Mario Nievera designed garden, pool and spa featuring LED lighting and embedded stars in floor of the pool. Brilliantly lacquered cathedral ceiling crowns a chef-designed kitchen and family room, outfitted with Sub Zero appliances and a generous wine closet. Large loggia features retractable screens, fireplace and TV for outside dining and entertaining. Euro Wall opens to living room to create amazing entertaining spaces. Under-lit Seaglass bar is a magnet for guests and family alike. Steps away are Lake Trail, beach access, and N. County Full home generator, electric vehicle charging stations and state of the art, variable speed a/c controlled from each room, all are features of this very contemporary home. Rear gate on recorded easement provides access to Plantation Road parking.
Request A Private Showing
*Our New Listing for Lease* Oceanfront Building
High Floor, Southeast Facing at 400 S Ocean Blvd

In-Town and On The Beach

400 S Ocean Boulevard 419, Palm Beach

$22,500 Per Month Annual/$32,000 Seasonal

2
Bedrooms
2.5
Bathrooms
1,716
Sq Ft.
High floor, southeast views and now- available for lease in one of Palm Beach’s favorite oceanfront high-rises. This is the easternmost unit on the south side of The 400 Building. A two story duplex on the 4th and 5th floors with ocean views from the living room, primary bedroom and balconies. Plus the building’s fabulous rooftop pool, fitness and community room. All just one street over from Worth Avenue shopping and restaurants. This unit features 10′ ceilings, beautifully upgraded baths and kitchen, an attractive powder room and in-unit washer and dryer. Available Seasonal Furnished or Annual Unfurnished. Enjoy Winter right in town and on the beach, or take a long lease in the perfect spot to call home while you build, renovate or just sort out your plans for the future.

Rental Terms:
Annual: $22,500 Per Month / Seasonal:$32,000 per month
Request A Private Showing
*Our Listing* Pristine North End Renovation
Adjacent to both Lake Trail and Beach
North End “Cabana Street”

255 El Pueblo Way, Palm Beach

$13,500,000

4
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
3,408
Sq Ft.
This EXCEPTIONAL 1939 home has just been dazzlingly updated by architect Pat Segraves. Natural light pours in from tall windows and a mature tropical landscape anchored by an amazing mango tree comes into view the moment you open the door. Sited on a prime North End block with a neighborhood beach terrace at one end and Lake Trail access at the other, this 4BR/4BA Bermuda style house is casual family beach living at its best! Airy vaulted beamed ceilings, sliding glass doors that open on to a 25′ pool, a brand new eat-in kitchen off of a lovely breakfast garden and a new cypress-paneled family room that could easily be converted to a downstairs primary bedroom suite, complete with its own terrace shaded by a louvered pergola. 12,600 sqft lot. The thorough renovation includes new roof, impact windows, air conditioning and electrical systems while preserving the home’s charming original details.
Request A Private Showing
*Our Listing* 168 Kings Road
Classic Palm Beach Regency Style
Estate Section Beauty on 17,000 sqft Lot

168 Kings Road, Palm Beach

$14,900,000

5
Bedrooms
7
Bathrooms
5,377
Sq Ft.
Classic Palm Beach Regency home, designed in 1959 by Henry Harding, on a very generous 16,500+ sqft estate section lot. Meticulously renovated and maintained with full impact glass, a new two car garage and wine storage topped by a guest/staff quarters apartment. The home features 11-12′ ceilings, multiple spaces for entertaining and guests, and as many as 5 bedrooms with en suite baths depending on a buyer’s needs. First floor primary bedroom features his/her baths and closets. And the oversized lot allows room for a gracious auto forecourt, large pool and airy backyard.
Request A Private Showing
*Our Listing* Exquisite Recently Built Home
Now Available Partially Furnished
El Cid Waterfront Available Furnished

2305 S Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach

$24,900,000

4
Bedrooms
6
Bathrooms
7,314
Sq Ft.
Heaven on the El Cid waterfront. Impeccable 2020 new construction with exquisite attention to detail, every modern luxury and unimpeded water views from 1st and 2nd floors. On an almost 19,000 foot corner lot-beautifully landscaped by Nievera Williams-the house is an elegant contemporary take on classic Palm Beach architecture with iron-look windows, handmade Mexican roof tiles and waxed plaster walls. Downstairs master bedroom with water views, generous closets and bath. Two upstairs bedrooms and baths with an inviting shared terrace can be reached by stair or elevator. In the front yard, a 52′, two lane lap pool sits off the electric screened terrace. To the rear is a guest house/gym/office with full bath. And the 3 bay garage fitted with 2 lifts can accommodate up to 5 cars. See Home Features in Documents. Literally too many to list. But for a few- 10′ ceilings, working marble fireplace, Wolf 5 burner gas stove and an induction cooktop, Miele double-ovens, 2 Miele dishwashers, side-by-side Sub Zero fridge with 4 freezer drawers, outdoor shower, full house gas generator, pool heater AND chiller, trunk storage room off elevator, gas fire pit off master bedroom, Lynx summer kitchen with gas grill and rotisserie, Smart Home controls throughout, motorized sun and blackout shades, 2nd laundry room in garage, electric vehicle charger. All that and a shared neighborhood day-dock between Valencia and Sunset. Virtual Tour available via Matterport – see 2nd photo in listing
Request A Private Showing
*For Lease* 316 Seabreeze Avenue
Recent Construction in the
Heart of the Sea Streets
Walk Everywhere Location in the Sea Streets

316 Seabreeze Avenue, Palm Beach

$35,000 Per Month

3
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
2,964
Sq Ft.
Available August 1st for annual or seasonal lease. 2019 construction in the heart of the Sea Streets, Beautiful kitchen and baths with every feature you could wish for. Two large bedrooms with ensuite baths in main house, California king in master and queen bed in guest room. Guest House/Pool Cabana out back with its own beautiful new bath and living room furnished with a queen sized bed or a sofa. Beach access at private Sea Streets gate on Seaspray Ave.

Rental Terms:
Annual: $35,000 Per Month
Request A Private Showing
Oh, to be in England…
So, yes, that line is about Spring, but Summer isn’t too shabby there either. Should you find yourself in need of guidance in the land of flats, mews, leaseholds and mansion blocks, we recently forged a relationship with an extraordinarily knowledgable and discreet London buyer’s agent. 🇬🇧 They’d love to be helpful 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
(Thank you to some great friends for the intro)