Palm Beach Gardens

Surrounded by all the shopping and dining available along PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach County's BallenIsles community stands out with a rich history, a central location and opulent facilities. <br><br>BallenIsles came to be in 1964, developed by Florida magnate John D. MacArthur as the PGA National Golf Club. However, if there's one year to remember here, it's 1971. That same year, when the community's club was known simply as PGA National and served as the home of the PGA of America, it became the epicenter of the golf world by playing host to four major golf events: the PGA Seniors', the PGA Championship — won by Jack Niklaus, the PGA Tour Qualifying School and, lastly, the World Cup of golf. Though the PGA decamped to a new facility in 1973, BallenIsles remains a premier golf destination. "BallenIsles has a deep history in our area of being the go-to country club for full-time and part-time residents alike," says Holly Meyer Lucas, a local Realtor with Compass Florida. "It has a great balance between full-time and part-time residents. What makes it so special is that it has the elegance you'd expect from a country club of its prestige while maintaining that South Florida casual, easy-living vibe."<br><br>In season, residents of BallenIsles are often outside enjoying the gorgeous landscaping and many amenities under the South Florida sun. Folks ride around its lush palm-tree-lined streets on golf carts, waving to neighbors while they head for golfing, a game of pickleball, pampering at the spa or dining at one of the country club's luxurious restaurants, bars or buffets. With its three championship golf courses, one of which was redesigned by Rees Jones in 2020, and a 65,000-square-foot Sports Complex that features nine pickleball courts and 21 tennis courts, including a stadium court where Venus and Serena Williams trained for more than a decade, the club delivers an exceptional experience.<br><br>Residentially, BallenIsles proper is a private, guard-gated community of 33 subdivisions, each distinct from the next while featuring luxuriant rolling greens, sparkling lakes with fountains, and dense but manicured tropical tree lines working as natural, scenic dividers. For example, Palm Bay Club is a coach home community of 28 buildings and 112 residences, whereas St. George Estates comprises 66 custom single-family homes. While square footage, lot size, views and amenities vary between subdivisions, BallenIsles displays Spanish eclectic and Mediterranean Revival architecture; you'll see plenty of stucco siding, earthy tones, terracotta barrel roof tiles and arches. Prices range from $800,000 to around $7 million. More options for multifamily properties, such as town houses and condos, lie just outside country club grounds, bordering the major roads Military Trail and PGA Boulevard. Prices for these properties range between $170,000 and $550,000.<br><br>This tropical, athletic, leisure-filled paradise sits at the crux of Florida's Turnpike, PGA Boulevard and North Military Trail. It's a three-minute drive from the high-end retailers at the Gardens Mall and even closer to the boutiques, bistros and cafes at PGA Commons and Mainstreet at Midtown. Splurge by ordering an iced seafood tower at Spoto's Fish & Oyster or turn the nearby farm-to-table restaurant Cooper Craft Kitchen & Bar into your favorite date spot. As for home cooking, you can get all your household ingredients and supplies less than a mile from home at The Fresh Market or Publix. <br> <br>BallenIsles students have some great schools laid out on their K-12 journey. They can start at Timber Trace Elementary, rated with an A-minus on Niche, before attending Watson B. Duncan Middle, rated with a B-plus on Niche, and, finally, graduating from Palm Beach Gardens Community High, which Niche rated with a B. This high school is home to a five-star, award-winning magnet program with six areas of interest that help students get a leg up on postsecondary education and future careers. There's the culinary arts program, where students get hands-on experience in professional baking and cooking, and the television and film technology program for students interested in entertainment and media. Nearby private-school options include the Trinity Christian School of Palm Beach and the Weiss School.<br><br>Experience South Florida seasonally or year-round in BallenIsles, an established community immersed in sporting excellence, tropical splendor, casual luxury and so much more.

It starts right at the entrance, as multiple fountains, towering royal palm trees and a stone-laid road greet every arrival. Continue past the 24-hour manned gate, and the full breadth of this development becomes clear. Frenchman’s Reserve blends hundreds of spacious Mediterranean-style homes with a country club that includes everything from an Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course to a spa and salon. This community makes enjoying a resort-style getaway as simple as a trip home. “There are multiple clubs close by, but not all are created equal,” says Andy Johnson, Realtor and team leader at the Andy Johnson Group with eXp Realty. “Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club has a smaller membership size than some other area clubs. It is a luxury club that’s second to none in the area. It provides a very intimate setting, which is ideal if that’s the kind of lifestyle you’re looking for.” The houses of Frenchman's Reserve are modern with most being built in the early 2000s by the prominent developer Toll Brothers. There are almost 400 in total, the majority of which are traditional detached single-family houses. But there’s also a smattering of coach-style options, which are similar to townhomes. All are relatively spacious, starting at almost 2,500 square feet and averaging about 4,500. Many houses in Frenchman’s Reserve fill lots of between one-fifth and one-third of an acre, with lake or golf course views out back. Coach homes in this community range from $800,000 to just over $1 million. The single-family houses start at close to $2 million and top out at more than $4 million. The 18-hole Arnold Palmer course is the most obvious outdoor amenity here, but the country club has a little something for everyone. Some of the club’s facilities have received a refresh in the past several years, too, including a tennis center with seven lighted courts. There’s a 10,600-square-foot fitness center on site, as well, complete with an indoor cycling studio and cardio and weightlifting equipment. The community’s pool has a dedicated area for kids, and children can also enjoy the playground at the CORE Club, an on-site childcare space. Plus, the 45,000-square-foot clubhouse has a library that’s available for a range of programming, including parties. “Their clubhouse is absolutely stunning,” says Johnson, who has roughly a dozen years of real estate experience. Residents don’t even have to leave the neighborhood to enjoy an assortment of communal programming. The annual calendar is full of events, from an Easter egg hunt in the spring to a Halloween fest in the fall. Residents and members enjoy a range of social groups, too, including a photography club and a book club. Among the Frenchman’s Reserve’s relatively new amenities is the on-site Parc Restaurant. Parc, which opened in 2019, is popular for its Taco Tuesdays. People can head right outside the neighborhood to access other commercial amenities, too. PGA Boulevard, for example, is a packed thoroughfare that’s home to the 1.4-million-square-foot The Gardens Mall. The Gardens has more than 150 retailers, from Gucci to Macy’s. The mall is adjacent to the Downtown Palm Beach Gardens complex, with chain restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory and Yard House, plus a Whole Foods Market. There are more than 100 restaurants total along PGA Boulevard, says Jennifer Hyland, a local Realtor with The Corcoran Group who has more than 20 years of real estate experience. Frenchman’s Reserve is covered by the School District of Palm Beach County, which has a B-plus overall grade on Niche. Students can explore the dedicated environmental science programs at Dwight D. Eisenhower K-8, a B-rated school. The C-rated Howell L. Watkins Middle is an option as well, where there’s a robotics and aviation program. William T. Dwyer High offers multiple integrated academies, on topics like construction and culinary arts and carries an A grade. This area offers some well-regarded private options as well, including The Benjamin School, an A-plus-rated campus with kindergarten through 12th grade and St. Mark’s Episcopal School, which carries an A grade. Besides the long list of on-site amenities, location is one of the biggest draws to Frenchman’s Reserve, Hyland says. “It’s close to 95 and the Turnpike,” she says. “Fifteen minutes to the airport. Twenty minutes to the island of Palm Beach.” Interstate 95 and Florida’s Turnpike can take drivers up and down the rest of the coast, including down to Palm Beach International Airport.

Mirasol's Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood offers privacy surrounded by exclusive amenities. Residents dwell in upscale properties scattered across 2,300 acres. The community provides a variety of fitness and recreation facilities, including 36 holes of golf and designated natural preserve areas. Homeownership is mandatory, and Mirasol’s various membership styles are associated with specific homes. But pristine cul-de-sacs surrounded by South Florida’s tropical greenery are what attract folks to this All-American retreat. A separate HOA, the Mirabella at Mirasol community has its own resort-style amenities with similar home styles in closer proximity to Florida’s Turnpike. The custom-built homes surrounding the Mirasol Country Club vary in design, but nearly all offer views of the golf course, small lakes or natural preserves. Mediterranean-style and contemporary homes typically have between 2,000 and 7,000 square feet and include ensuite bedrooms, designer kitchens, wet bars, in-ground pools and sometimes even guest houses. For between $1 million and upwards of $8 million, these homes come with pre-assigned membership styles. “The country club is an attraction to seasonal buyers who want second homes,” says Carol Falciano, Mirasol Realtor. “They’re looking for recreational and social activities.” On the other end of the neighborhood, Mirabella’s architecture tends toward Mediterranean style as well, though homes range in price from $700,000 to just over $1 million. Mirasol students attend The School District of Palm Beach County. Marsh Pointe Elementary has an A- on Niche and requires uniforms. Watson B. Duncan Middle School has a B+ on Niche and also requires uniforms. The school extends the district’s Choice programs, beginning at Marsh Pointe. Students at Watson B. Duncan Middle can pursue either Literary and Fine Arts or Pre-Finance. William T. Dwyer High School has an A on Niche and expands Choice programs to a wider range of options, from Finance to International Baccalaureate. The Benjamin School is a local K-12 private institution with an A+ on Niche. Inside the gates of the Mirasol Country Club, the Esplanade has a fitness floor with group instruction studios. A dedicated tennis building is offered alongside multiple pools, and the golf course has 36 holes. The club’s sports complex offers everything from pickleball to basketball to green space for field games. Mirabella’s fitness center includes a pool, tennis courts and group instruction courses. Mirasol Park has basketball courts, open fields and a softball diamond alongside two playgrounds. And the Sandhill Crane Access Park is a natural preserve that sits at the junction of multiple trails around the Loxahatchee Slough River. The country club itself has over 800 acres of natural preserves, including 12 beehives. Florida’s PGA Boulevard, 786, cuts through Palm Beach Gardens and directly connects to Bee Line Highway, 710, taking residents from West Palm Beach to the north tip of Lake Okeechobee. Florida’s Turnpike is a toll road heading north to Jacksonville and south to Miami, accessible via 786. Though the neighborhood itself is walkable and bikeable, residents are almost entirely car-dependent. Mirasol Walk is a public shopping center located at the corner of PGA Boulevard and Florida’s Turnpike, less than a mile from both Mirasol Country Club and the Mirabella HOA. The only entrance is through the gates of the main thoroughfare, but a Publix, Walgreens and gas station are available for residents and guests. Along Fairway Drive, restaurants like Hurricane Grill & Wings and Plant Based Mafia are popular among locals. More bars, shops and grocery stores can be found along PGA Boulevard heading toward the beach. But the Mirasol Country Club offers many of its own dining and social options within its gates. “From complimentary bagels and coffee in the mornings to pickleball and tennis to events in the evenings,” Falciano continues. “People who move to Country Clubs want that all-inclusive feel.” The country club itself offers a wide array of events from wine and Scotch tastings to game nights to luncheons. Field trips include museum tours and local theater. Families can enjoy drive-in movies, seasonal carnivals and even petting zoos. With West Palm Beach only 15 miles south, residents can enjoy more than 600 community events planned every year, including outdoor movies, farmer’s markets and Sundays on the Waterfront, a concert series held on the third Sunday of each month. SunFest is an annual music festival attracting more than 85,000 guests to the West Palm Beach area.

Palm Beach Gardens North provides the canvas for an array of sprawling master-planned developments. Each has its own character, courtesy of their ages and their respective builders. But all benefit from being in a prime location of the city, resting by some of the area’s most important arteries and some of its most prominent amenities. “It’s a cool place to be,” says James Fantin, a realtor with RE/MAX Select Group who has over 20 years of experience in Palm Beach. “It’s got everything.” Those in the market for a home in this area can take their pick of subdivisions. Most of the homes that fill these developments were built after the turn of the 21st century, too. The Isles is a prominent one, made up of houses constructed in the aughts by developer DiVosta. Single-story options around 2,000 square feet dominate The Isles, all with Mediterranean styling, complete with terracotta roofs. “The Isles is beautiful. It’s like a paradise,” says Jennifer Hyland, a local Realtor with The Corcoran Group. “There’s royal palms and lakes throughout the neighborhood. The homes are built around these royal palms and lakes.” The Isles has a smaller sister community dubbed Magnolia Bay, just up Military Trail and also built by DiVosta. “Homes built by DiVosta are always coveted,” says Hyland, who has more than 20 years of real estate experience. “They are solid homes, built on a smaller scale. And they have an extremely loyal following.” Paloma is another sizable development in town, situated across from The Isles, filled out by the developer Kolter and featuring multistory Mediterranean homes that sometimes push past 3,000 square feet. Kolter also built this area’s newest community, the massive Alton development with well over 1,000 residences. Alton includes mostly a mix of Mediterranean-inspired and contemporary-style houses, including some townhomes. Options in Alton were built from 2016 and on, Hyland says. “Alton has a beautiful, beautiful community pool, tennis and a clubhouse,” Hyland says. “People like Alton because it’s so new.” Condos and townhomes across Palm Beach Gardens North sell for prices from the $200,000s to the $900,000s based on factors like age and square footage. Price tags for single-family homes here typically start in the $600,000s, but can reach for around $3 million for a new house in Alton pushing 5,000 square feet. The crime score in this community ranks just slightly above the national average, according to the CAP Index. Kids in this area can enter The School District of Palm Beach County, which has a B-plus overall rating on Niche. Many can start at Marsh Pointe Elementary, an A-minus-rated school with an integrated afterschool program. The B-plus-rated Watson B. Duncan Middle offers dedicated academies in pre-finance and literary and fine arts. William T. Dwyer High is an A-rated campus with an Academy of Finance and an Early Childhood Teacher Academy. Students can also apply to enter the wide assortment of special programs at A-rated Jupiter Community High, including engineering and culinary arts. The Palm Beach Gardens North area features the private Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Preparatory School, too, an A-minus-rated institution with kindergarten to eighth grade. Golf is an omnipresent facet of Palm Beach County, a region littered with courses. The Palm Beach Gardens area is certainly no exception. Abacoa Golf Club, for example, is just beyond Alton. It’s a public 18-hole circuit that’s popular in part for the views — all but four holes here are bordered by water. The Golf Club Of Jupiter is another public option, that people like for its pricing value. Tee times after 4 p.m. at the Golf Club of Jupiter are $39. Multiple community parks dot this area as well, including the 32-acre Joseph R. Russo Athletic Complex, where there are multiple multipurpose fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and more, helping support the fervent sports scene here. Youth soccer and basketball have a huge presence, Hyland says. One of the biggest benefits of Palm Beach Garden North’s location is that there are commercial amenities at virtually every turn. The Alton development stands adjacent to the Alton Town Center shopping plaza, which is anchored by Publix and The Home Depot. Alton Town Center also has LA Fitness and PetSmart, plus chain eateries ranging from Panera Bread to Miller’s Ale House. The Shops of Donald Ross Village next door features Coolinary, one of the hotspot locally owned restaurants in the area, where the chicken and waffles are popular. “Everything is homemade,” Hyland says. “The menu varies continuously. It’s a just off-the-beaten-path boutique restaurant really. Coolinary is wonderful.” People eyeing more retail therapy can take the quick trip down to The Gardens Mall, which stretches a whopping 1.4 million square feet, space that’s filled with some 12 dozen stores. “The Gardens Mall is a big draw,” Hyland says. “It has Gucci, Chanel, Tesla., Louis Vuitton, Saks, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s.” The Gardens borders the Downtown Palm Beach Gardens plaza, where there’s a Whole Foods Market and a six-story Life Time fitness center. Palm Beach Gardens North sits within a web that’s bounded by multiple key thoroughfares. Donald Ross Road is one, along the community’s northern edge and a strip that can take people west, all the way to the coast, just about 4 miles away. “A great straight shot, lowly trafficked road,” Hyland says. Interstate 95 crosses Donald Ross to the west, which can take travelers up and down the region, as can Florida State Road A1A to the east. Commuters can catch the Palm Tran bus by Alton Town Center, too. The neighboring community of Abacoa in Jupiter organizes a multitude of public events that people in Palm Beach Gardens North can hop right over to. The list includes Food Truck Fridays on the second and fourth Friday of each month and a regular string of free outdoor concerts. The Gardens GreenMarket is a staple in Palm Beach Gardens specifically, a farmers market held each Sunday at City Hall, complete with live music.

Frenchman's Creek is a 1941 historical novel romancing the high seas - a quality many homeowners share in this waterfront enclave of the same name. The neighborhood has numerous estates with Intracoastal access, making it a popular landing spot for boaters..“Frenchman’s Creek is right smack between the Palm Beach and Jupiter Inlet,” says Jennifer Hyland, local managing director of the Hyland Group at Corcoran Group. “There is great turquoise water, and it's an amazing fishing and boating area.” Those remaining on land will find a mix of residential options in smaller subdivisions and the premier Frenchman’s Creek Beach and Country Club. Recreation surrounds residents on every level with golf, parks and a day on the beach, all under 4 miles away. The neighborhood has multiple recreation options available on land or sea. The lush Florida landscape is on full display at the Frenchman’s Forest Natural Area, and over 500 animal species call the park home. Visitors can try to spot some wildlife, including manatees and red-shouldered hawks, across the miles of sandy trails. Bert Winters Park is accessible by boat and offers multiple athletic facilities and a kayak launch. A day on the beach is always close by, as the lapping shores of Juno Beach are under 3 miles away. Nearby, the Juno Dunes Natural Area spans 569 acres of rolling dunes and scrubland and features the highest natural point in Palm Beach County. Golfers flock to Frenchman’s Creek Beach and Country Club’s championship-level golf courses. The club also has a fitness center, racquet sports and private beach access, allowing members to beat the crowds. The neighborhood is home to Frenchman’s Creek Beach and Country Club, a private gated community with 600 homes across 700 acres. “It’s a very lush and spacious community,” Hyland says. The gated development was constructed in the 1980s and contains housing ranging from carriage homes to grand waterfront estates. Property on the Intracoastal is limited, but those with deep water access often have private docks and large watercraft. Boat ownership is still available for the rest of the residents at the full-service Loggerhead Club and Marina. Spanish-Revival houses are the predominant style, with well-manicured lawns in the front and private swimming pools with lakefront views in the back. A Property Owners Association provides numerous services, and prices in the community range between $1.5 million and $3 million. Outside of the gates, pastel-colored ranchers and coastal-contemporary-style buildings sit on palm-tree-lined streets, costing between $600,000 and $2 million. Intracoastal property is also available here, with deep-water estate houses often topping $10 million. The neighborhood's proximity to the coast comes with flooding and wind risks, but higher elevation and updated building codes provide some protection, notes Hyland. Frenchman’s Creek is almost entirely residential, but locals are close to the extensive shopping and dining at The Gardens Mall, just 4 miles away. “There’s Chanel, Louis Vuitton, it's like Rodeo Drive in a mall,” Hyland says. The retail mecca also has a movie theatre with multiple medical facilities nearby. Publix Super Market at Frenchman’s Crossing is down the street, providing the neighborhood with fresh groceries. Residents head to Thirsty Turtle Seagrill for tasty seafood straight from the gulf, while nearby, Juno Beach Café is a prime spot for some early morning breakfast food. St. Patrick Catholic Church is one of many houses of worship serving the area. Palm Beach County Schools serves the neighborhood and was ranked the best school district for athletes in the Miami area. William T. Dwyer High School has won ten state championships and numerous regional and district championships across 27 varsity-level athletic teams. William T. Dwyer received an A rating from Niche and offers an Academy of Finance designed to give students hands-on experience for a career in the financial industry. The C-rated Howell L. Watkins Middle School has three choice programs, including the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary received a B-rating. The Benjamin School is a PK-12, A-plus-rated private school option for parents to consider. Frenchman’s Creek Beach and Country Club has year-round events designed to bring residents together. Happy hours, art classes and birthday bashes make up the social calendar, while numerous clubs and groups, like the philanthropy club, allow residents to focus on special interests. “Events here are constant,” Hyland says. “It's almost like a cruise.” The neighborhood is close to events organized by the city of Palm Beach Gardens, including the weekly Gardens Greenmarket, which features fresh produce, handmade goods, and live entertainment. Frenchman’s Creek is in one of the best locations,” Hyland says. The neighborhood is conveniently located 16 miles from downtown West Palm Beach and just under 5 miles from Palm Beach Gardens. Most residents can access the Intracoastal via private boat docks or full-service marinas. Those traveling farther can head to Palm Beach International Airport, 18 miles away.