The next wave
PALM Beach County has always been a hot market for preppy 1 percenters. But thanks to COVID it’s gone nuclear.
“The Palm Beach County real estate market is the hottest that I have seen in my more than 25 years in the industry,’’ Ben Schachter, president of Palm Beach-based Signature Real Estate, told The Post. “In our local market, the average price for a single-family home is up nearly 40 percent from January 2020 to January 2021, which is absolutely unheard of.’’
And all that action can only add up to one thing: new construction. Here is a look at the most exciting new projects rising in Palm Beach.
SeaGlass Jupiter Island
Jeffrey Soffer — whose company owns the famed Fontainebleau in Miami, and whose family owns JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa — is constructing a chic new building on tony Jupiter Island, home to Tiger Woods and Celine Dion. All 21 units, ranging from $1.6 million to $17 million, will have three- and four-bedrooms, and because the land is owned by the Catholic Church, it is protected so no one else can build on it, ensuring unobstructed views of the ocean and the Intracoastal. Even railings are glass to maximize the vista. Among the other enticements are an infinity pool, yoga and meditation lawn, social terrace and game area. SeaglassJupiterIsland.com
Marisol
While the Boca Raton Resort is undergoing a $150 million renovation that will be completed at the end of the year (and while most of its 13 restaurants remain closed or open merely as temporary pop-ups), this fully outdoor Mediterranean restaurant has newly opened in conjunction with lifestyle authority Colin Cowie. The beachfront setting is particularly fitting for its signature cuisine, which includes imported fish as well as local seafood like pompano with Persian cucumber, minted herb salad, freekeh tabbouleh and lemon salmoriglio. There is a section just for tagines such as seafood paella or an heirloom vegetable assortment, and carnivores can enjoy a porterhouse for two with crispy Padrón peppers. BocaResort.com/dining-and-drinks
Forte
After the surprising success of super high-end building The Bristol, which opened on Flagler Drive in 2019 with apartments quickly selling at upwards of $7 million, two new buildings on Flagler are following suit.
Forte, which has just broken ground and is slated to premiere at the end of 2023, will have oversize wraparound balconies and glass walls with unobstructed views of the city and waterfront. The 41 units, which start at $4.9 million, are four- and five-bedrooms from 4,200 to 8,400 square feet with 10-foot ceilings. The apartments have one to two floors, with the exception of the penthouse, which is close to 9,000 square feet and has its own private roof deck and pool. ForteWPB.com
La Clara
La Clara, which also has large, deep balconies ideal for entertaining, was designed by archi
tect Siamak Hariri who created the Bahá’í Temple in Chile. The building has partnered with Tammy Fender, OnBlonde Pet Spa and Virginia Philip Wine Spirits & Academy to bring pampering and grooming services for residents human and canine alike, as well as wine consultation and tastings. Due to open in early 2023, the La Clara residences, which range from $2 million to $9 million, are already 60 percent sold. LaClaraPalmBeach.com