If you think South Florida is all golf courses and sandy beaches, think again. You may want to add historical neighborhoods to that list. While we can’t compete with the states of the early settlers on the Eastern Seaboard, we certainly make a good showing. With more than 135,000 historical structures and archaeological sites across the state, as identified by The Florida Division of Historical Resources, and 47 National Historic Landmarks, the Sunshine State boasts important historical significance. It was the first region of the contiguous United States to be settled by Europeans, and St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental U.S., established in 1565.
West Palm Beach’s Historical Neighborhoods Showcase 3 Important American eras
Jumping ahead to Turn-Of-The-Century America, a time of famously rapid industrial growth, urbanization, and technological advancements, at the same time as the U.S. was becoming a new world power, Henry Flagler was putting a new town on the map. Serving as a microcosm of America’s life and times during the Turn-of-the-Century era, seaside West Palm Beach was incorporated in 1894.
The city of West Palm Beach, also referred to as simply West Palm by locals is the oldest city in Palm Beach County. With a little imagination and some comfortable walking shoes, you can see homes and businesses built during America’s famous Turn-of-the-Century (1890-1910) era, the Progress (1890 to 1920) era, and the Roaring 20’s.
Today, the architecture in West Palm’s earliest neighborhoods showcases these three important eras via the architectural styles that emerged from them. Additionally, some of these distinctive real estate styles have piqued the interest of property investors looking to increase their assets in the Palm Beaches.
Historic Districts
A Historical District is in a section of a city that has older buildings considered valuable for their historicity or architecture. The designation of the Historical District recognizes a group of buildings, archaeological resources, or other properties as historically or architecturally significant.
In many cases, buildings, structures, objects, and sites within a historical neighborhood district receive legal protection from their counties from certain types of development. In some jurisdictions, historic districts have special regulations regarding renovations, alterations, re-leasing of existing buildings, and the purchases and sales of historic properties.
While it’s always advisable for your closing lawyer to be a Florida Board Certified attorney, when dealing with real estate transactions in historical neighborhoods, it’s especially important.
Three Clusters of West Palm’s Historical Districts
Most of West Palm Beach’s 18 historical neighborhoods—11 of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places—are concentrated in three specific zip codes. Built out as a city to support Flagler’s new Palm Beach Island vacation hotels, these historical neighborhoods on the mainland of West Palm Beach are situated in three clusters along the South Florida shoreline. Traveling north to the south, these clusters can be most easily defined as those within zip codes 33407, 33401 and 33405. Palm Beach has a total of 17 zip codes, altogether.
West Palm’s Historical Districts in Zip Code 33407 from North to South
The historical districts included in zip code 33407 of West Palm Beach are, from North to South, Northwood Harbor, Northwood Hills, Northboro Park, and Old Northwood. Here you can look for hints of West Palm Beach’s historic uptown.
America’s “uptowns” traditionally refer to residential areas, literally found up from, or north of “downtown.” These communities are away from the city’s core, and are often the location of an affluent community, boasting pricey mansions and beautiful estates.
1. Northwood Harbor. Over a century old, this neighborhood stretches along North Flagler Drive and includes historical buildings constructed from 1925 to 1956. The early historical styles to look for are Mission Revival and Vernacular, which are the simple wood-frame structures of early settlers, reminiscent of northern styles with the addition of wide overhanging eaves. Currently, a stretch of oceanside acreage, adjacent to the district, is the focus of new luxury home development and the site of several new high-rise condominium proposals.
2. Northwood Hills. Situated inland alongside and to the west of the Northwood Park district, this neighborhood features many Spanish Revival homes and the Mission-style buildings that were popular in the 1920s. A style unique to Northwood Hills that’s attributed to its rolling hill topography is a fantastical Castle style, complete with turrets and exposed-key-stone archways. The district’s famed 1920’s architects include John Volk, William King, and Henry Harvey.
3. Northboro Park. Just north of today’s downtown West Palm and likely part of the era’s historic uptown, the now-prosperous Northboro Park area was founded during the area’s land boom of the 1920s. Now, architectural enthusiasts and house-hunters can stroll the walk-friendly streets to see an abundance of Mediterranean and Missionary Revival-styled buildings. Not only does the neighborhood pride itself in the preservation of its historical homes but new buildings are also designed to blend with the prevailing look. Today, MLS searches indicate the area is highly desired by homebuyers.
4. Old Northwood, a National Historic District that includes 320 historic buildings, demonstrates the architectural styles emerging during the Roaring 20’s. It’s peppered with Mediterranean Revival and Mission-style homes. Architects credited for much of the district’s look include John Volk, Gustav Maass, William Manley King, and T.B. Eissfeldt. With residents made up of professionals, entrepreneurs and tradesmen, it appears to have been yesteryears “uptown.” An enclave of extravagant homes, homeowners included the Mayor of West Palm Beach. The residential area was laid out with a network of alleys that allowed access for service providers, and to garages. Today the tight-knit community’s steering committee is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of Old Northwood.
West Palm’s Historical Districts in Zip Code 33407 from North to South
The historical districts included in zip code 33407 of West Palm Beach are, from North to South, Northwest, Olive Avenue, Clematis Street, Grandview Heights. Mango Promenade, Flamingo Park and El Cid.
In America, “downtown” usually refers to a city’s central business district and is likely to be where the city was founded. It tends to be more commercial than residential and is usually where you’ll find its government buildings. As we can see by the historical buildings grouped in downtown West Palm Beach—one of the fastest growing cities in the nation—its awning-accented sidewalks still bustle with ambitious business types much as it did over a hundred years ago. In fact, as you’re reading this, in a West Palm Beach historic area, the Nora District is undergoing a tremendous real estate revitalization.
1. Northwest. Situated on the on the northwestern side of the downtown area, this district contains 316 historic buildings, including a variety of styles from the late 19th- and early 20th- century like the Bungalow Craftsman style. The current city Mayor, Keith James, says that a “robust collaborations between the County Redevelopment Agency and the City make this district an epicenter for progress.”
2. Clematis Steet Commercial. This U.S.-designated historic district has the most historic buildings—12 altogether—in West Palm’s current downtown retail area, including Hotel Clematis, the Jennings Building, and the Campbell Building. As part of the city’s rich history, Clematis Street (then Clematis Avenue) became the city’s “Main Street,” with several businesses located along its east end by the mid-1890s. The Little Red School House, which was moved to Palm Beach, was actually built here first.
3. Grandview Heights, located on the southwest side of downtown, is one of West Palm’s oldest remaining neighborhoods, which today has been restored to a mixed-use, walkable neighborhood. It still boasts an array of early craftsman-style bungalows and Mediterranean revival-style homes. The district is also known for its many bed and breakfasts, such as the Grandview Gardens Bed & Breakfast and Casa Grandview.
4. Mango Promenade. According to its historical marker, this district was platted from 1912 to 1936 and was one of West Palm Beach’s earliest upper-middle-class suburbs. The neighborhood includes a wide variety of architectural styles in residences dating from the 1910s and 1920s. Unique to the district are two pedestrian walkways, Mango Promenade, which links to a brick-paved street, and Orange Court.
5. Flamingo Park stretches over 28 blocks and includes 458 historic buildings. Secreted away within its southern perameter (should this be perimeter?), you can find the quaint, walkable, Sunshine Park neighborhood, established in 1920. A significant building here is the Armory Art Center. The structure was originally a fruit and vegetable market before being converted into the Palm Beach County Armory during the New Deal of the ’30s. In addition to its Mediterranean Revival and Spanish Mission historic homes, this charming district features hundred-year-old mango trees, kapok and banyan trees.
6. El Cid’s first home was built in 1875 and according to the El Cid Historic Neighborhood Association, came of age 50 years later during the 1920’s Florida land boom. Still conveniently close to West Palm’s dynamic oceanfront downtown, this district combines a historic blind of mostly Spanish-style architecture with a close-knit community feel. The community is committed to maintaining its historic authenticity and today, attracts professionals and business owners.
West Palm’s Historical Districts in Zip Code 33405 from North to South
The historical districts included in zip code 33405 of West Palm Beach are, from North to South, Prospect/Southland Park, Central Park, Vedado-Hillcrest and Belair.
In the U.S., the southward sprawl of city developing its free space was typically one of growth that industrialized young residential neighborhoods and provided employment for new generations. Additionally, these areas often evolved into sites of unique traditions and artistic expression. Think Greenwich Village and Southside Chicago. Here, let’s southside shuffle to historic West Palm Beach and see if its building choices reflect the phenomenon.
1. Prospect/Southland Park is a national historic district, and its period of significance is from 1922 to 1945. Its gridded streets were modeled after those in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York with a neighborhood park complete with benches and a fountain at the center of town, as well as a waterfront park along Washington Road. Homes offer a diverse collection of architectural styles from Mediterranean Revival to Neoclassical and Art Moderne.
2. Central Park neighborhood is distinguished by 50-foot-wide tree-lined streets and h sidewalks. Immediately adjacent to Central Park, the district has 155 historical buildings. The majority of them are Mission Revival style, but there are also dozens of examples of the frame vernacular style Masonry Vernacular. The Palm Beach Post described it as a quirky little neighborhood full of history that like today, drew from all walks of life. The neighborhood’s prime location offers easy access to downtown West Palm Beach and has been described as having the vibe of “a suburban oasis within the city.”
3. Vedado-Hillcrest is a district of primarily one-story buildings constructed between 1947 and 1957; however, it does have some from the earlier Land Boom era (1924 to 1928), and it’s included as a National Historic District that includes 320 historic buildings
4. Belair, whose neighborhood of tradesmen and real estate salesmen began its development in 1925, became West Palm Beach’s fourth historic district in 1993. Now a sought-after suburban enclave, it offers a retreat from the intensity of city life and showcases beautifully preserved Mediterranean Revival and Mission homes, and brick-paved roads.
Whether you/re on vacation and taking a walking tour of historical architecture, or are looking to invest in a unique old-world property, West Palm Beach has a wide assortment of historic districts, museums, and beautiful architectural styles to explore.
When you’re ready to close on your own piece of history, contact Florida Bar Board-Certified Attorneys David E. Klein, Esq. and Guy Rabideau at Rabideauklein.com. They have the expertise and experience you need to ensure that your interests are protected throughout your real estate transactions in West Palm Beach and throughout Florida. Contact Rabideau Klein today to discuss the legal implications of your next Florida property transaction the oldest.