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Renting an Apartment in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, also known as West Palm, is the most populous city in Palm
Beach County, Florida, USA. The city is also the oldest incorporated
municipality in South Florida. According to the University of Florida's 2006
estimates, the city had a population of 107,617. West Palm has a much larger
unincorporated population estimated at upwards of 250,000. The city's Urbanized
Area has an estimated population of almost 1.3 million. West Palm's economy is
currently ranked #4 in the Milken Institute Best Performing 296 U.S. Cities
index.
It is the county seat of Palm Beach CountyGR6, and one of the principal
cities in the South Florida metropolitan area. The area is known as the West
Palm Beach--Boca Raton--Boynton Beach MSA, which covers the entire Palm Beach
County area. It is situated in the northernmost county of the South Florida
metropolitan area. According to the 2006 Morgan Quinto Poll, West Palm Beach is
the 14th most dangerous city in the United States.
History
Henry Flagler began buying land - paying $75,000 for the old Geer home in Palm
Beach, which was then owned by R.R. McCormick of Denver, and $50,000 for a piece
of E.M. Brelsford's land. Soon, the massive Royal Poinciana Hotel would rise on
McCormick's land and Flagler's marble palace, Whitehall, would be built on
Brelsford's. Across the lake, he bought a strip of land that stretched from Lake
Worth to Clear Lake, paying $35,000 for Captain O.S. Porter's homestead and
$10,000 for Louie Hillhouse's land. That $45,000 investment became West Palm
Beach, the city Flagler founded for "my help." By now, South Florida's destiny
was clear: Land was the hot commodity, and nearly everyone in town was trying to
buy land and sell it.
The city was founded by Henry Flagler as a community to house the servants
working in the two grand hotels on the neighboring island of Palm Beach, across
Lake Worth. The original spelling was "Westpalmbeach", but it was feared that
the 13-letter word would be an ominous omen for the fledgling community. On
November 5, 1894, 78 people met at the "Calaboose" (the first jail and police
station located at Clematis St. and Poinsettia, now Dixie Hwy.) and passed the
motion to incorporate the Town of West Palm Beach in what was then Dade County
(now Miami-Dade County). This made West Palm Beach the oldest incorporated
municipality in the county and in South Florida. The town council quickly
addressed the building codes and the tents and shanties were replaced by brick,
brick veneer, and stone buildings. During the 1920s, the city grew rapidly
during the Florida land boom, during which many historic structures and
neighborhoods were built.
The city has a very rich history. Prior to the founding of Miami, West Palm
Beach was a thriving cultural center. Originally, Henry Flagler intended for his
Florida East Coast Railroad to have its terminus in West Palm, but due to a deep
freeze, he decided to extend the railroad to Miami. For many years West Palm
Beach and Miami were rival South Florida cities and they both thrived in the
early 20th century. Although it was originally intended to be a settlement for
the servants of the wealthy Palm Beach Island neighbors, West Palm became a
thriving center in its own right. Pleasant City is a neighborhood in the
original Uptown West Palm that had a thriving middle-class African-American
population. This community still has a rich heritage, whereas many of the
families have lived there for generations.
Pratt & Whitney, IBM, RCA and others helped put the city on the map in the late
60's and '70's. But now the focus was on the whole of Palm Beach County, not
just West Palm Beach. The city was loving its position as the county's hub and
heart. And so many other things were changing. Integration brought the end of
Palm Beach and Roosevelt High schools and the beginning of a new high school,
Twin Lakes (now Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts).
In the 1960s, Palm Beach County’s first enclosed shopping mall, the Palm Beach
Mall, and an indoor arena were completed. These projects led to a revival for
the city. However, crime was a serious issue due to racial tensions and high
vacancy rates. But following the 1970s, the city has undergone a renaissance as
newcomers have rediscovered the city's historic areas, graceful new high-rises
including Donald Trump's elegant “Trump Plaza”, and a resurgent downtown
entertainment and shopping district called CityPlace. Clematis Street and
CityPlace are some of the centers of West Palm Beach's nightlife.
Today West Palm Beach is once again a growing city. The skyline of the city
beautiful is constantly changing. New residential buildings, condos, and
attractions are common downtown, and an increasing number are being built. Once
dilapidated single family homes are being renovated in many neighborhoods to
accommodate the city's growing population. The city recently built a new
convention center. A new downtown library and city hall funded by bonds are
currently being built. This is all apart of a City Center, that will also
include a waterfront park, photographic & arts center, and new shops. The city
is hoping to shake off its rogue reputation and represent itself as a growing
city within a major metropolitan area.
Historic Neighborhoods and Communities
Bel Air Historic District - Developed from 1925 to 1935 as a neighborhood for
tradesmen and real estate salesmen who helped develop Palm Beach County, some of
Belair was originally a pineapple plantation owned by Richard Hone. Hones's
frame vernacular house, built around 1895, still stands at 211 Plymouth Road.
After Hone was murdered in 1902, his property was sold to George Currie, who
created Currie Development Co. But before it was developed, the land was sold to
William Ohlhaber, who raised coconut palms and ferns. Eventually, Ohlhaber
platted the subdivision and sold off lots. The first house built in the
subdivision was Ohlhaber's mission-style home at 205 Pilgrim. Ohlhaber's
grandson said Ohlhaber bought the tract to provide dockage for his 90-foot
yacht, but the yacht ran aground in the Gulf of Mexico and never reached Lake
Worth. In 1947 Hone's house was bought by Max Brombacher, Henry Flagler's chief
engineer, and it remains in the Brombacher family today. Belair became West Palm
Beach's fourth historic district in August 1993.
Central Park - Central Park is a collective name for several subdivisions north
of Southern Boulevard. It originally was part of the Estates of South Palm Beach
(which went from Wenonah Place to Pilgrim Road east of Dixie Highway). Like
other West Palm Beach neighborhoods, the Estates of South Palm Beach boomed
after Henry Flagler's descent on Palm Beach. In 1884, James W. Copp, a bachelor
in the boating business, borrowed $367.20 from Valentine Jones to buy the land.
The ownership of what is now known as Central Park changed hands many times
before being developed. Around 1919, the tropical wilderness was transformed
into an exclusive neighborhood with curbed roads, sidewalks and a pier (at the
foot of what is now Southern Boulevard). The neighborhood became part of West
Palm Beach in 1926, and was named a city historic district in December 1993. In
1999 the neighborhood was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
El Cid - Noted for its Mediterranean revival and mission-style homes, El Cid
developed in the height of Florida's real estate boom. In the late 1800's, most
of the land north of Sunset Road was pineapple fields, but the crop dwindled in
the early 1900's. Pittsburgh socialite Jay Phipps subdivided the old pineapple
fields in the 1920's. He named it El Cid, after the celebrated Spanish hero,
Rodrigo Diaz de Bivar, who conquered Valencia in 1094. He was called "Cid",
meaning "lord". El Cid became a city historic district in June 1993. In 1995 the
neighborhood was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Flamingo Park - Originally a pineapple plantation, Flamingo Park was established
by local contractors and developers, who saw the potential in this area -- one
of the highest coastal ridge sections from downtown West Palm Beach to Miami.
Some ridge houses even had ocean views from upper floors. Houses cost about
$10,000 to $18,000 in the boom era, and many buyers were owners of shops and
businesses on fashionable Dixie Highway nearby. Recently, residents rallied to
have stop signs installed throughout the neighborhood and have banded together
to ward off commercial and industrial zoning. Property values are rising as
residents renovate and restore Spanish-style houses. Most of the homes in the
neighborhood, developed from 1921 to 1930, are mission style, but nearly every
style is represented. There are many Mediterranean revival-style houses along
the high ridge line. Only two buildings in the historic district are known to
have been designed by architects: 701 Flamingo Drive designed by Harvey and
Clarke, and the Armory Arts Center designed by William Manly King. The
neighborhood became a West Palm Beach historic district in January 1993 and was
listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Grandview Heights - One of the city's oldest neighborhoods still intact,
Grandview Heights was built as an extension of Palm Beach Heights from around
1910 to 1925. Almost all of Palm Beach Heights and half of Grandview Heights was
demolished in 1989 to make way for the proposed Downtown/Uptown project, which
remains undeveloped. Grandview Heights originally attracted construction workers
who helped build the luxury hotels, ministers and store owners. In recent years,
residents rallied to stop random demolition of neighborhood homes. And they
banded together to chase drug dealers and prostitutes from the neighborhood. New
investors are helping bring back the neighborhood, which has one of the city's
best collection of early craftsman-style bungalows, as well as some modest,
Mediterranean revival-style homes. The neighborhood became a West Palm Beach
historic district in 1995 and was listed in the National Register of Historic
Places in 1999.
Mango Promenade - Mango Promenade became a West Palm Beach historic district in
1995 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Lies
just south of Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Northboro Park- An expansion of Old Northwood, Northboro Park was mostly custom
houses for upper-middle-class professionals. Most of the houses are
Mediterranean revival, mission and frame vernacular. Developed from 1923 to
1940, the neighborhood became the city's second historic district (November
1992) and the historic designation may soon expand north to 45th Street. The
oldest building in the neighborhood is Northboro Elementary School at 36th
Street and Spruce, built in 1925 by DaCamara and Chace. The first home in
Northboro Park is 418 36th St., built in 1923.
Northwest - West Palm Beach's first historic district to be included on the
National Register of Historic Places (February 1992), the Northwest neighborhood
was first settled in 1894, when the black community was moved from the Styx in
Palm Beach to West Palm Beach. It also served as the city's segregated black
community from 1929 to 1960 (along with Pleasant City). Northwest remains a
predominantly black community but according to the city planning department,
most middle- and upper-class blacks moved to other neighborhoods after
desegregation. Tamarind and Rosemary Avenues were the commercial centers for
blacks by 1915, but most commercial buildings have been demolished or remodeled
so the architecture is no longer significant. There are still good examples of
late 19th- and early 20th-century American bungalow/craftsman-style homes in
this neighborhood, which also has mission, shotgun, Bahamian vernacular and
American Foursquare styles. The Alice Frederick Mickens house, at 801 Fourth
St., is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mickens was a
philanthropist and humanitarian who promoted education for black youth. Another
notable house is the Gwen Cherry house at 625 Division Ave. Cherry, Florida's
first black woman legislator and a resident of Miami, inherited the house from
relative Mollie Holt, who built the house in 1926. Now it is the Palm Beach
County Black Historical Society. The Northwest neighborhood was listed in the
National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The next year the neighborhood
became a West Palm Beach historic district in 1993.
Old Northwood Historic District- Old Northwood was developed from 1920 to 1927
-- the height of the city's real estate boom. The Pinewood Development Co.,
platted and developed the area. Old Northwood became a neighborhood of what was
considered extravagant Mediterranean revival, mission and frame vernacular
houses, at $30,000 to $36,000. The buyers were professionals, entrepreneurs and
tradesmen. Among them was Dunkle, who was mayor of West Palm Beach. There are
houses here designed by notable architects John Volk (best known for his Palm
Beach houses), William Manly King (who designed Palm Beach High School and the
Armory Arts Center) and Henry Steven Harvey (whose Seaboard Railroad Passenger
Station on Tamarind Avenue is listed in the National Register of Historic
Places). The neighborhood became a West Palm Beach historic district in 1991 and
listed in the National Register of Historic Places in June 1994.
Northwood Hills Historic District- On August 4th, 2003, the City Commission
designated the Northwood Hills neighborhood as the 13th Historic District in the
City of West Palm Beach. Northwood Hills comprises the area from 29th Street on
the South to 39th Court on the North. The east side of Windsor is the Western
boundary, and Greenwood Avenue is the Eastern boundary. The Neighborhood
Association has worked several years to achieve the distinction of historic
designation. This is the first district to be designated since 1996. Northwood
Hills has a number of Mission Revival houses, a significant collection of
Post-World War II architecture, a unique street layout, and one of the highest
elevations in the City. The Northwood Hills neighborhood has also elected to
allow the establishment of Bed and Breakfast establishments within the
neighborhood.
Pleasant City
Prospect Park- Promoted as a high-end neighborhood patterned after the prominent
Prospect Park district in Brooklyn, this area consisted of mostly smaller
estates for prominent businesspeople and northern investors. The neighborhood
has a high concentration of Mediterranean revival and Mission revival houses. It
was developed from 1920 to 1935 and became a city historic district in November
1993.
West Northwood Historic District- Cashing in on the real estate boom, developers
of West Northwood built speculative and custom houses for upper-middle-class
professionals from 1925 to '27. Dominant architectural styles are Mediterranean
revival and mission. Although the area was declining, that has reversed in
recent years, as more investors buy and restore the houses. West Northwood
became a city historic district in August 1993.
Suburban West Palm Beach
Much of the urban area directly west of the city, which includes unincorporated
areas such as Westgate, Belvedere Estates, Lakeside Green, Century Village,
Golden Lakes Estates, Lake Patrick, Bahama Heights and Drexel Park, to name a
few. These are not officially within the boundaries of West Palm Beach, but lie
in unicorporated Palm Beach County. These areas possess a "West Palm Beach"
address. Urban services, such as police, fire, parks, and water and sewer are
provided by Palm Beach County in the areas.
Key incorporated cities and their populations in the West Palm Beach Urbanized
Area:
1. Boca Raton - 86,629
2. Boynton Beach - 67,071
3. Delray Beach - 64,095
4. Wellington - 55,564
5. Jupiter - 50,028
6. Palm Beach Gardens - 48,944
7. Lake Worth - 36,412
8. Riviera Beach - 33,408
9. Greenacres - 32,019
10. Royal Palm Beach - 30,334
11. Palm Springs - 14,512
12. North Palm Beach - 12,562
13. Palm Beach - 10,456
14. Lantana - 10,389
15. Lake Clarke Shores - 3,475
16. Haverhill - 1,620
17. Mangonia Park - 1,289
Education
Primary and Secondary Education
Public education is provided and managed by The School District of Palm Beach
County which is the 11th largest school district in the US. The district main
office is located in unincorporated West Palm Beach.
Post-Secondary Education
Palm Beach Community College - is the oldest community college in Florida,
founded in 1933. The original building housing Palm Beach Community College is
in West Palm Beach, adjacent to the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the
Arts (on the site of the old Palm Beach High School), and is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. The building has been restored and is once
again being used by the college. The Community College now has four campuses in
the county, with the main campus located in neighboring Lake Worth.
Palm Beach Atlantic University - is a four-year, private, university with
approximately 3,200 students. The university has grown rapidly in the past ten
years, and future growth is expected to continue. The expanding waterfront
campus is located on seven blocks within the south end of downtown, and includes
several historic structures converted to academic use. PBAU has added both a
school of nursing and school of pharmacology. Rinker School of Business is one
of the most respected business schools in Florida.
Northwood University - is a four year private business college offering bachelor
and graduate degrees. The campus is located in the northwest part of the city
and has approximately 1,000 students. Northwood University is a sister school to
a main campus in Michigan. The majority of the universitys majors are
concentrated toward careers in various facets of the automotive industry
including a world renowned program in automotive marketing. The school also has
a great deal of very well known benefactors including Amway Founder and Orlando
Magic owner Rich DeVos, famed builder and author Frank McKinney, Artist Thomas
Kinkade, and Wendy's founder Dave Thomas.
Florida Culinary Institute - The school offers a variety of diploma and degree
programs in Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, Culinary Nutrition, Food and
Beverage Management and International Baking and Pastry.
Lincoln College of Technology - Founded 1982 in the Palm Beaches, the West Palm
Beach campus of Lincoln College of Technology (formerly New England Institute of
Technology) has been helping students and business professionals realize their
career goals and career aspirations locally, regionally, nationally and
internationally.
South University - A business college, the campus is just minutes west of both
Interstate 95 and downtown West Palm Beach. Bachelor's , associate's and
academic programs offered.
Libraries
City - West Palm Beach’s public library sits on the east end of Clematis Street,
downtown. Prior to the library's construction in the 1960s, this site was a park
- this gave a waterfront view to the famed Clematis Street. The city has plans
to relocate the library a few blocks west, to the site of the former D+D
building, and again reopen this area as a park.
County - The Palm Beach County Library System’s main library is on Summit
Boulevard just outside the city limits.
Arts and culture
Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts - Since 1992, the Kravis Center
has provided the city a venue for world class performances in theatre, dance,
opera, and music. The venue holds more than 800 events each year, with more than
400,000 people in attendance annually.
Norton Museum of Art - located just south of downtown, is the largest art museum
in Florida and boasts many travelling exhibits that runs the circuit of world
class museums. The Museum is internationally known for its distinguished
permanent collection featuring 19th and 20th century European and American art,
Chinese, contemporary art and photography. From its founding the Norton has been
famous for its masterpieces of 19th century and 20th century painting and
sculpture by European artists such as Brancusi, Gauguin, Matisse, Miró, Monet,
Picasso and by Americans such as Davis, Hassam, Hopper, Manship, O'Keeffe,
Pollock and Sheeler.[6] The gallery also offers classes and seminars for
children and adults.
The Carefree Theatre - (1940) in the historic Flamingo Park district had
provided the city with various art house cinema shows and alternative music
performances, however, the structure was severely damaged by Hurricane Wilma and
has been closed indefinitely. The owners have re-opened the venue at a renovated
church located further south on Conniston Road under a new name, The Theater.
Meyer Ampitheatre - An abandoned Holiday Inn was demolished in 1993 and
transformed into the Meyer Amphitheatre, which schedules a myriad of events all
year long including weekly live jazz performances and other musical venues. The
coconut palm lined amphitheatre offers spectacular views of Lake Worth, the
waterfront and Palm Beach beyond.
Palm Beach County Convention Center - Features a total of 350,000 square feet of
exhibit halls and meeting rooms in downtown West Palm Beach. There are a wide
variety of events held in this world-class venue. Everything from the popular
Palm Beach County Home Show to the International Fine Arts and Antiques Shoe to
the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Show (now held in the suburban South Florida
Expo Center).
Respectable Street Cafe - West Palm Beach's answer to CBGBs. In the club's 20
year history they have hosted everything from up and coming local artists,
Internationally renowned bands like Bo Diddley, Cheap Trick, Dick Dale, Death
Cab for Cutie, MXPX and Fishbone, along with a bevy of seminal punk and
alternative bands like Agent Orange, Meat Puppets, Dead Kennedys, 7 Seconds and
The Red Hot Chili Peppers when they were still only visible to to the Los
Angeles Skater audience.
Festivals and Shows
SunFest - is the largest music, art, and waterfront festival in Florida. SunFest
was founded in 1982 to draw visitors to the area during the ‘shoulder season’.
Recognized as one of the best festivals in South Florida, SunFest enjoys an
annual attendance of more than 275,000 people and has more than fulfilled the
vision of its founders. Some artists who have performed are Harry Connick, John
Mayer, Jon Secada, Ray Charles, Keb Mo, Lenny Kravitz, Dizzy Gillespie, Bob
Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, No Doubt, Kenny G, Earth Wind and Fire, Cyndi Lauper, Rick
Braun, Peter White, Noel Lorica, The Wailers and many others. The festival and
the patrons that it attracts have a very positive impact on the community. The
support of more than 3,000 volunteers ensures the festival’s success. SunFest is
a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Palm Beach International Film Festival - The Palm Beach International Film
Festival hosts filmmakers, celebrities, industry executives, and press from
around the world. Attendance over the past two years has increased over 50
percent to nearly 40,000 attendees. PBIFF was founded in 1996 with the vision
that a film festival would offer an exciting cultural venue for the community
and be a tremendous fundraiser for educational film and television programs
throughout Palm Beach County schools. The PBIFF has hosted a bevy of top
celebrities and filmmakers including: Academy Award® Winners Adrien Brody,
Anthony Hopkins, Tommy Lee Jones, Faye Dunaway, Dennis Hopper, Louise Fletcher
and Michael Caine; Academy Award® Nominees Salma Hayek, Edward Norton, Robert
Evans, Sylvester Stallone, Woody Harrelson and Burt Reynolds. Along with
countless other legends, stars and filmmakers, including: Roger Moore, Faye
Wray, Esther Williams, Anouk Aimee, Samuel L. Jackson, Cyd Charisse, Richard
Zanuck, William Friedkin, Brett Ratner, Jacqueline Bisset, Michael Clarke Duncan
and Rod Steiger.
Palm Beach Boat Show - One of the top ten boat shows in the country featuring
boats, superyachts and accessories from every major marine manufacturer
worldwide. The event includes more than 900 hundred boats, from inflatables to
spectacular superyachts.
National Horse Show - the National Horse Show is America’s oldest horse show,
firmly established as a major fixture on the national and international sports
and social event calendars. The National Horse Show has now become one of
America’s most prestigious outdoor horse shows. 2004 for the third year will be
held at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL and will offer many of
the top horses and riders the chance to rein supreme with National Honors.
Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction - One of the premiere classic car auctions
in the world. Each March more than 40,000 people walk through the halls of the
South Florida Expo Center in suburban West Palm Beach. The annual event has
included the sale of Howard Hughes' personal 1963 Buick Roadmaster for a
record-shattering $1.62 million and the first Shelby G.T.500E convertible ever
made for $520,800.
City festivals - Weekly events such as Clematis By Night on downtown's Clematis
Street offer live music and a festive atmosphere. Moonfest is held each year on
the 500 Block of Clematis Street shortly before Halloween, and a seasonal
downtown Green Market is held each winter on Saturdays on Second Street and
Narcissus Avenue.
Transportation
Air: The city is served by Palm Beach International Airport, located in
unincorporated West Palm Beach. The airport attracts people from all over the
county as well as from the Treasure Coast counties to the north. In 2006 there
were 6,824,789 passengers who passed through the gates of PBIA making it the
58th busiest airport in the nation.
Highways: US Highway 1 passes though the city’s downtown, commercial, and
industrial districts. Interstate 95 bisects the city from north to south with
multiple interchanges serving West Palm Beach, including an entrance to Palm
Beach International Airport. Florida's Turnpike passes through West Palm Beach
further west, connecting with the western suburbs of Royal Palm Beach and
Wellington. State Road 80, running east-west, is currently being converted from
a surface artery to a partial expressway, which will run from Interstate 95 to
State Road 7.
Rail: Tri-Rail commuter rail system serves the city from a historical station
located on the west side of Tamarind Avenue, just east of I-95. Tri-Rail
provides commuter rides north to Mangonia Park and south to Miami. Amtrak has
daily trains arriving and departing to points north. CSX Transportation and the
Florida East Coast Railway also serve the city.
Trolley: There is a free downtown trolley that provides transportation around
downtown including Clematis, City Place and Waterfront districts of the city.
Bus: Greyhound Lines operates scheduled intercity bus service out of the train
station on the west side of Tamarind Avenue. Palm Tran, the Palm Beach County
municipal bus service, operates scheduled service throughout the city and the
suburban areas of Palm Beach County.
Port: The Port of Palm Beach is located on the northern edge of the city limits.
It is the fourth busiest container port in Florida and the 18th busiest in the
continental United States. In addition to intermodal capacity, the Port is a
major modal point for the shipment of various goods as well as being the home to
several small passenger cruise lines.
Water Taxi: As a waterfront city there is specific need for water transportation
between points in the city and surrounding areas. Waterway transportation is
available to and from the downtown Clematis Street District, Sailfish Marina
Resort, waterfront attractions, Peanut Island and special events.
Sports
West Palm Beach does not host any professional sports teams, but the Florida
Panthers of the National Hockey League play at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise to
the south. Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins, the National Football
League's Miami Dolphins and the Miami Heat of the National Basketball
Association all play in nearby Miami-Dade County. In the past West Palm Beach
has hosted various professional teams such as Arena Football, minor league
hockey and baseball as well as semi-pro football.
Spring Training Baseball - The Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals conduct
spring training in suburban West Palm Beach in the town of Jupiter at Roger Dean
Stadium. In the past West Palm Beach hosted the Atlanta Braves and Montreal
Expos at the former Municipal Stadium and the Philadelphia Athletics at old
Connie Mack Field.
Collegiate Athletics - Palm Beach Atlantic University competes in NCAA Division
II basketball, baseball and soccer. PBAU has recently purchased a large track of
land just west of downtown where there will be built a multi-use athletic
stadium.[11] Indoor athletics play their home games at the Greene Complex which
is an on campus arena. Florida Atlantic University's athletic programs are
played in neighboring Boca Raton. FAU competes in the highest level of NCAA
athletics including football, basketball, baseball, softball and tennis.
Northwood University competes at the NAIA level, where their basketball coach
Rollie Massimino, has given the athletic program national exposure.
Professional Golf - Trump International Golf Club hosts the LPGA Championship
annually in November. The best in womens golf compete on one of Americas most
beautiful golf courses. PGA National Golf Course in suburban Palm Beach Gardens
hosts the PGA Honda Classic.
Polo and Equestrian - Palm Beach Polo and Country Club counts 7 polo fields
among its world-class facilities and many high-goal games are played in the
area. The equestrian events at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club are the
National Horse Show and the world-renowned Winter Equestrian Festival.
Shopping Areas/Districts
Palm Beach Mall - an enclosed mall with Macys, Dillards, JC Penney and Sears as
anchors and 125 other retail stores.
City Place - described as "old-world architecture, beautiful fountains, and
sidewalk cafés create an atmosphere strikingly reminiscent of a European town
center". There is a multi-plex movie theater, IMAX Theater, several night clubs
(comedy, dance), several world famous restaurants as well as clothing and
home-decor retail outlets surrounded by multi-story town houes and apartments.
Opened in 2000 where single family homes and dilapitated apartments once stood,
City Place is West Palm Beach's best example of gentrification.
Clematis Street - best represents the old Florida charm of the now thriving
metropolis. Clematis Street, is West Palm Beach's historic shopping venue. It is
now home to Clematis by Night, an outdoor event held on the street with live
music and food. There are dozens of eateries, night clubs and retail outlets on
the street and surrounding downtown streets. Donald Trump once told People
Magazine that Clematis Street was “..the hottest street in Florida”.
Antique Row - a shopping district on the south side of the city. Along Dixie
Highway lies over 45 antique shops offering a selection of 17th to 20th century
antiques, fine and decorative arts, period deco and modern furnishings. All
within walking distance, there is a vast array of quality antiques shops and
complemented by four restaurants, and a boutique hotel. Architectural Digest,
The New York Times, Art & Antiques, and House Beautiful have all heralded
Antique Row as one of the east coast's premier antique districts, considered the
"antique design center" of Florida.
Worth Avenue - although the street is in the neighboring town of Palm Beach it
is worthy of mention as it is a very important shopping destination. With a
world class selection of high end retail shops and boutiques, you never know
what famous resident or visitor you may see window shopping or making a
purchase.
Attractions
Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park
Lion Country Safari
Rapids Water Park
South Florida Science Museum
International Polo Hall of Fame
Flagler Museum
National Croquet Center
Palm Beach Kennel Club
Palm Beach Polo and Players Club
Trump International Golf and Club