It Was An Inevitable Love Match: Image Obsessed App Meets Ridiculously Photogenic Town.
One of the more entertaining aspects of life here is a relatively new one– our resident cadre of social media influencers. If Instagram is, at its core, an endless search for the perfect backdrop, Palm Beach is a target rich environment. From the dramatic architecture to the colorful flora to the even more colorful residents, it’s pretty much point anywhere and click.
Consequently, the town has attracted Instagram “influencers” like a happy hour draws real estate agents. There’s no shortage of eye-candy posts from our many talented interior designers, but we’re talking hard-core influencers. The stop-you-on Worth Avenue “Love your outfit!!” kind of influencer. We’ve got them all from the amusing to the quirky to the downright odd.
Who’d have guessed our favorite garden antiques shop, Devonshire, would become a social media juggernaut? They’ve always had style and taste. But their popular Insta is “come for the pots, stay for the fun!” Silly posts, local color and an authentic voice that’s earned them 22,000 followers.
And then there’s Sue Belle, the hardest working girl in Palm Beach. She posts daily videos of herself cataloging everything from Palm Royale’s purportedly real life locations to where she gets her roots retouched. No filter, no self-consciousness. She’s a character and her followers love her for it.
And last, in the category of “Is this really why we invented the Internet?” we have The Twins of Palm Beach. A set of Romanian-born identical twins who spend the day walking in lockstep around Palm Beach in matching jeans, shirts and sunglasses until someone notices them posing and takes a snap. At only 2,400 followers we don’t quite get their business model but you know, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor didn’t have any visible financial underpinnings in their Palm Beach heyday either. And the twins are just as much fun to spot!
Want More Choice? It’s Coming! As we noted last month, agents and homeowners often purposely hold listings off market in the summer months– waiting out summer vacations, hurricane season, presidential elections, etc.
But as we enter the Fall with a Federal Reserve rate cut in our pockets, we’re now seeing those properties hit the market. As the bar chart above shows, September saw 48 new listings across the broad Palm Beach market including houses, condos and townhomes at a variety of price points. We know of a number of nice properties that are off-market still, including two of our own listings which won’t come on until early November.
Total listings are up 22% from this time last year (below). We’re not back to pre-Covid supply levels yet, but we’re getting there. If you’ve been holding off looking, waiting for more to see, it’s time.
Beautiful open views to the ocean await in this perfectly placed unit at the Halcyon. A subtle jog to the south in the building’s layout means 201N’s expansive living room looks East/Southeast over the dunes to the beach and the sunrise. Originally a 3 bedroom/3 bath unit, one bedroom has been opened up to create a library-den space adjoining the living room, with the 3rd bath providing an attractive powder room for guests. Primary and guest bedroom both have south facing sliders with access to the terrace which wraps around the south side of the unit, offering picture perfect views of the beach and pool. Situated on one of the widest stretches of sand in Palm Beach, Halcyon also features two HarTru tennis courts and, with no pending projects, it’s ready for you to enjoy.
Renovated by one of America’s most acclaimed tastemakers, this beautiful 1926 SoSo home is being offered furnished. Full impact glass, updated AC and electric and a very well-equipped kitchen. The main house has three bedrooms and one large bath on the 2nd floor with both tub and shower (there is also a 2nd full bath on the 1st floor). And an airy Spanish-tiled 2nd floor veranda wraps around the back of the home, just perfect for entertaining. Across the back yard is an incredible guest house with two guest suites (one upstairs, one down) both with living room/kitchens and full baths.
There is luxury and then there is unit 2203 at the Bristol. The attention to detail is unmatched- from the interior-designer owner’s custom floor plan to elegant wallcoverings, top quality light fixtures and honed Italian marble floors. Even the closets are leather-lined beauties from Ornare. From your 22fl perch, Palm Beach island lies at your feet, with long views of the rolling Atlantic, the Intracoastal stretching away to the south and Kodachrome-ready sunsets to the west. With 7,100 of indoor and outdoor sqft wrapping around the entire south end of the building, the layout features a primary suite with his/her baths and closets and a sitting room/office. A spectacular fitness center, lap pool, his and hers spas and a concierge are just some of the Bristol’s over-the-top amenities Private elevator foyer 5’x8′ storage locker in the basement Custom Crestron security system, audio and lighting Dining room sheathed in custom velvet fabric and backed in foam to absorb sound Chef’s kitchen with Gaggenau double ovens, gas cooktop, multiple fridge drawers and wine refrigerator. Three AC zones Parking for 3 cars, 2 with valet
A beautifully renovated, masterful landmark of Modernist architecture, the Boat House combines the very best elements of life in Palm Beach – the perfect spot on the lakefront with dock and boat-lift, deeded ocean access at the Mockingbird neighborhood beach cabana, and an incredibly elegant, exquisitely renovated, move-in ready home. This nautically themed Art Moderne home faces prow-forward toward dramatic sunsets, its rooftop deck overlooking the pool, dock and sparkling Intracoastal. Sea-going touches include seamed hardwood floors, porthole windows and white-piped terrace railings. The house received a full renovation a few years ago and the current owners then made meaningful improvements of their own. Those improvements include all new AC units including one for the garage, a high-end water filtration system, an oversized wine and beverage fridge, a smart home tech center and electric awning for the dining terrace. And to top it all off- an outdoor infrared sauna! Mockingbird is one of the very few Palm Beach streets with both a private neighborhood beach cabanas and direct lake trail access.
Ocean views and skyline sunsets from the terraces of one of Palm Beach’s most sought after buildings. This sixth floor NW corner apartment has endless light and long views up and down Worth Avenue, including north side views to the clock tower and ocean. The unit features a very desirable split bedroom layout and large wrap-around terraces on the north and west side of the living room. Winthrop House offers the most enticing pool and gardens of any in-town building. Kitchen and baths are in very good condition, HVAC was installed 2022 and a there’s a brand new water filtration system in kitchen. Plus you get all the features owners love about Winthrop House- gracious common areas, a large fitness center, the famed tunnel to the beach- and of course, that pool!
An unrivaled location and a beautiful view to the Everglades Island lagoon. The unit consists of two apartments skillfully combined by renowned architects Fairfax & Sammons. This sunny east and south facing unit is perfectly placed for dropping by Worth Avenue restaurants and shops or strolling the beautiful park at the adjacent Town Docks. 3D Matterport tour available at the link
Neat as a pin, this house is always maintained in excellent condition by its perfectionist owners. Completely renovated with beautiful kitchen and baths. It’s a no-brainer rental for a buyer looking to get to know Palm Beach or anyone local who is doing renovation or construction on their home. Close to the beach at Wells Road and the shops and restaurants at Royal Poinciana Plaza. Lake Trail entrance nearby. Sanford is one of Palm Beach’s favorite neighborhood streets- just one pretty home after another.
The Australian is an in-town, boutique building located on the lake block, close to the Town Docks and Lake Trail, and a short walk to the shops, galleries and restaurants of Worth Avenue. This fresh and white, large penthouse apartment, on the south east side of the building, has been thoroughly renovated with wide plank floors, marble counter tops and top of the line appliances in kitchen and baths. There is an expansive wrap around terrace with sliding doors that provides plenty of natural light. The second bedroom/sitting room/office is open to the living room with built in book cases. The building has recently done a thorough refresh with a new-look lobby, hall carpets and a pool update coming this summer. The apartment is available for a seasonal or annual lease. Easy to show!
Rental Terms: Annual: $19,500 Per Month Winter Season: $33,000 Per Month
If you’ve driven past this house, you know it is the perfect in-town cottage just one block from the beach. It’s meticulous owners keep 202 Seapsray in a constant state of perfection. Two attractive bedrooms flank a pretty living room and a totally up-to-date kitchen. No pool, but full impact glass, off-street parking for your car, and an ideal location in one of Palm Beach’s most loved neighborhoods. Steps to La Goulue, Surfside Diner and Worth Avenue shopping. Plus access to the private ”Sea Streets” beach gate at the end of Seaspray Avenue!
We have several”quiet listings” right now. Everything from a stately in-town home, to a gorgeous Palm Beach waterfront lot, to land with building plans in El Cid. Call for more info.
