Once known as a quiet seasonal retreat, West Palm Beach has transformed into one of the most dynamic cities in Florida and one of the nation’s most compelling development stories.
Now nicknamed “Wall Street South” in honor of the financial firms and high-net-worth individuals flocking to the area, West Palm has seen an extraordinary surge in residential, commercial and cultural investment. From luxury high-rises to transformative infrastructure projects, the skyline is evolving, and The Berkeley Palm Beach sits at the heart of it all.
Photo Credit: Gladstone
Known for kick-starting demand for high-rise living in West Palm Beach with The Bristol’s debut in 2019, Al Adelson sat down with The Real Deal team to discuss the region’s transformation into Palm Beach West.
A City on the Rise
In addition to the 25-story Berkeley, several major developments are reshaping the city’s core, including Cleveland Clinic’s planned 150-bed hospital and Vanderbilt University’s seven-acre business school campus downtown.
“We’re entering a new chapter for West Palm Beach, one of resurgence and long-term confidence,” says Al Adelson, the developer who has been instrumental in reshaping the city, first with The Bristol and now with The Berkeley. “As interest rates stabilize and the city continues attracting corporate, educational and healthcare anchors, its evolution into ‘Palm Beach West’ is undeniable.”
As people and businesses relocate to West Palm Beach, the city is adapting to meet their needs. The Fern Street Extension Project, a major infrastructure initiative, will connect downtown to the Clear Lake District, where The Berkeley is located, easing congestion and improving accessibility.
Photo Credit: Gladstone
“It fills a critical gap between the downtown core and the Clear Lake-Australian Avenue corridor,” says Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Inc.
When completed in 2028, the project will remove an estimated 11,000 cars per day from nearby roads, linking residents directly to the downtown’s waterfront shopping, dining and cultural destinations like the Norton Museum of Art and Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
“The Berkeley is ideally located in the heart of West Palm,” Smallridge adds. “It’s in the center of what’s becoming one of the most vibrant and fastest-growing cities in all of Palm Beach County.”
An Oasis with Access
Like all prestigious residential projects, The Berkeley is defined by its location. The Berkeley is a vision for how people want to live in West Palm Beach today.
“After setting the standard for luxury high-rise living with The Bristol, I wanted to create something that feels equally sophisticated, but even more connected,” says Adelson. “The Berkeley is that vision realized: steps from Clear Lake, minutes from the airport and I-95 without congestion from downtown and surrounded by institutions shaping the city’s future.”
While West Palm Beach was once known primarily as a seasonal destination, “it’s now a year-round, thriving community offering a sophisticated quality of life,” says Kelsey Martin, Senior Sales Executive, The Berkeley Palm Beach.
Proximity to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) has been a determining factor for buyers hailing from New York City, Westchester, Long Island and Fairfield County, Connecticut.
“Buyers are coming directly from PBI to the sales gallery, and they can really envision themselves doing this easy commute as often as needed,” says Martin. “There are dozens of direct flights every day to New York City airports, HPN or Islip.”
In addition to being less than two miles from PBI, the luxury condominium is situated close to the West Palm Beach Brightline station and known marinas such as Palm Harbor Marina and Safe Harbor Rybovich.
An Elegant Oasis
When Martin meets with prospective buyers, she finds that they’re drawn to the balance of quality, location and lifestyle that The Berkeley offers.
The property features 40,000 square feet of five-star, resort-style amenities, including a golf simulator, his-and-her spa with steam, sauna, and cold plunge, private Jacuzzi rooms and two pools, one on the seventh floor, complete with cabanas and towel attendants, and another on the rooftop alongside a private sky lounge.
With Snaidero Italian cabinetry, high-end appliances including Sub-Zero, Wolf and Waterworks fixtures, alongside custom finishes, each home embodies understated elegance. But what truly sets The Berkeley apart, Martin says, are the panoramic views, best enjoyed from the largest private terraces in West Palm Beach.
“Every home has an unobstructed water view overlooking Clear Lake, with premier residences also featuring sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean,” Martin says. “Best of all, these views overlooking Clear Lake will never change. So, from both the end-user and investment standpoint, having stunning views in perpetuity is priceless.”
For Adelson, the project represents more than a new address; it’s a continuation of West Palm Beach’s transformation into Palm Beach West.
“With The Berkeley, we’re continuing the city’s momentum toward a more sophisticated, year-round destination.”
To learn more about the Berkeley and how it is redefining luxury living in West Palm Beach, visit theberkeleypalmbeach.com.