Acclaimed Palm Beach architect dies at 92

William Ames Bennett, an architect who designed hundreds of homes across Palm Beach, died last week at the age of 92.

The University of Florida alum opened his firm in Palm Beach in 1953. He designed residences with an old-fashioned style and symmetrical layouts that were known in the 1960s as “Palm Beach Regency” or “Gottfried Regency.” Throughout the years, he worked on several projects developed and built by Robert Gottfried. He helped design the now-demolished terminal complex at Palm Beach International Airport and many buildings at the Florida Atlantic University campus in Boca Raton.

Bennett served for decades as chair of the Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals in Palm Beach, and was a member from 1960 until he died.

He not only ran his own practice, but also worked closely with Michael Perry, principal designer of M.P. Design and Architecture of Palm Beach, for new construction projects as well as renovations. [Palm Beach Daily News] — Mark Maurer