New Townhomes Set for Downtown West Palm Beach Site Acquired by Nora Developers

Development of Luxury Townhomes in West Palm Beach

A significant transformation is taking place on the outskirts of an industrial area in West Palm Beach, as developers are investing heavily in neighborhoods close to downtown. This shift is evident with the planned construction of 30 luxury townhomes, which will occupy nearly an entire block. The project is part of a broader trend of real estate development that reflects the changing dynamics of the city.

NDT Development, known for its work on the Nora dining and entertainment district, purchased six lots on Nottingham Boulevard in 2021 for approximately $3.46 million. Their vision was to create rental townhomes that would blend into the surrounding community. Now, homebuilder PulteGroup is set to acquire the combined 1.61 acres west of Dixie Highway for the construction of the Nottingham Townhomes. These 3-story homes are designed in the style of “new urbanism,” where front doors and porches face the street, while garages are located at the back along an interior road.

This design approach aims to minimize the visual impact of typical residential elements such as garbage cans and open garage doors. During a city meeting in February, attorney Harvey Oyer, who represented the project, emphasized that this design philosophy aligns with principles of new urbanism but has not been previously considered in the city’s code. Oyer requested variances for five code rules, including setbacks from the street and landscaping requirements. The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved these changes during the Feb. 6 meeting.

The townhomes are planned for an area west of Dixie Highway and south of Southern Boulevard in the 400 block of Nottingham. This location was previously occupied by vacant lots, a small single-story apartment complex, and single-family homes. It is also situated just east of the FEC railroad tracks and Georgia Avenue, which is an industrial area characterized by Quonset huts, furniture restoration shops, auto mechanics, and flooring stores.

However, Georgia Avenue is experiencing a transformation, with an influx of trendy restaurants, high-end boutiques, and interior designers like Meg Braff, who recently remodeled a former print shop on Georgia Avenue to showcase her signature wallpaper and fabrics.

Nicholas Grodzicki, a Realtor, highlighted the positive developments in West Palm Beach over the past seven years. He is currently listing a new construction home on Nottingham Boulevard for $1.75 million. Grodzicki believes that the area offers comparable value to Flamingo Park, a historic district of 1920s-era homes where a new construction house sold for $3.73 million in June.

Grodzicki praised the builder of the 3,100-square-foot home he is listing at 770 Nottingham for being one of the first to construct a modern single-family home in an area dominated by aging modest houses mostly under 1,800 square feet. He noted that the price per square foot is about half of what is typically seen in the region.

PulteGroup has not commented on the Nottingham Townhomes, including the estimated price to purchase one. NDT Development is currently working on infrastructure at the site, and Pulte is expected to acquire the land after completion to build the townhomes.

The design plan submitted to the city includes features inspired by historical elements used by early settlers for heat relief, such as deep first-floor porches and wide porch overhangs. Mae Ferguson, a Realtor with Serhant, pointed out that the location of the planned townhomes on Nottingham offers many of the same benefits as the popular SoSo community, which is largely considered to be east of Dixie Highway.

Ferguson emphasized the continued investment in West Palm Beach, noting the presence of "really smart people who know what they are doing and they believe in West Palm." She highlighted the proximity to Southern Boulevard, Phipps Park, and the ease of access to restaurants, Antique Row, and the beach.

As the real estate market in South Florida continues to evolve, the development of luxury townhomes in West Palm Beach represents a significant step forward in the city's growth and appeal. With ongoing investments and a focus on modern design, the area is poised to attract both residents and investors looking for unique opportunities in a dynamic market.