Douglas Elliman Releases Q2 2020 South Florida Market Reports

Douglas Elliman has just released their Q2 2020 Market Reports for South Florida, which were prepared by Miller Samuel, a leading independent appraisal firm. The reports, which cover the areas such as Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, and the Miami Coastal Mainland, have revealed that the COVID-19 market shutdown during much of the second quarter caused sales to fall sharply in South Florida, despite the strength of the market in the first quarter.

Miami Beach/Barrier Islands

Overview:

• Condo price trend indicators moved higher as the number of sales dropped during the shutdown

• Single-family price trend indicators continued to decline along with sales and listing inventory year over year

• Luxury condo price trend indicators pressed higher as listing inventory showed a slight gain

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Overall:

• Median sales price rose 10.3% to $480,000

• Average price per square foot edged up 6.1% to $659

• Number of sales dropped 34.9% to 501 

• Listing inventory decreased by 0.5% to 6,393 units

Luxury Condo:

• Median sales price increased by 11.6% to $2,850,000

• Average price per square foot rose 4.8% to $1,231

• Number of sales fell 37.7% to 43

• Listing inventory slipped 3.0% to 1,095 units

Luxury Single Family: 

• Median sales price decreased by 22.6% to $7,200,000

• Average price per square foot jumped 17.2% to $1,388

• Number of sales had no change at 9 

• Listing inventory increased by 25.4% to 173 units

Miami Coastal Mainland

Overview:

• Condo listing inventory and number of sales declined, median sales price reached a new record

• Single-family median sales price rose to a new record as both sales and listing inventory fell sharply

• Luxury condo price trend indicators showed mixed results as the number of sales saw a significant decline 

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Overall:

• Median sales price rose 4.4% to $355,000

• Average price per square foot increased by 5.1% to $289

• Number of sales dropped 20.1% to 2,672

• Listing inventory declined by 7.8% to 9,699 units 

Luxury Condo:

• Median sales price fell 14.0% to $805,000

• Average price per square foot dropped 0.6% to $489

• Number of sales declined by 33.5% to 115

• Listing inventory increased by 13.4% to 2,508 units

Luxury Single Family:

• Median sales price fell 11.9% to $1,410,000

• Average price per square foot rose 25.5% to $557

• Number of sales decreased by 6.1% to 153

• Listing inventory dropped 1.1% to 915 units

Fort Lauderdale

Overview:

• Condo sales dropped at the highest rate in more than thirteen years as all price trend indicators rose annually

• Single-family sales fell at the largest rate since 2007 as median sales price stabilized

• Luxury condo price trend indicators increased above year-ago levels at their most robust rate in six quarters

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Luxury Condo:

• Median sales price rose 6.0% to $1,282,330

• Average price per square foot increased by 5.2% to $587

• Number of sales slipped 27.5% to 37

• Listing inventory declined by 16.5% to 283 units

Luxury Single Family:

• Median sales price dropped 22.5% to $2,500,000

• Average price per square foot decreased by 23.9% to $596

• Number of sales fell 20.5% to 35 

• Listing inventory declined by 12.5% to 259 units

Boca Raton/Highland Beach

Overall:

• Condo sales declined year over year at its highest rate in 13 years as median sales price increased

• Single-family sales declined year over year at its highest rate in 13 years as median sales price surged

• Luxury condo median sales price declined while luxury single-family median sales price rose

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Luxury Condo:

• Median sales price fell 23.0% to $885,000

• Average price per square foot slipped 13.0% to $461

• Number of sales declined by 21.2% to 52

• Listing inventory surged 11.2% to 328 

Luxury Single Family:

• Median sales price dropped 13.1% to $2,215,000

• Average price per square foot decreased by 12.6% to $382 

• Number of sales slipped 12.1% to 51

• Listing inventory declined by 0.3% to 304 units

Delray Beach 

Overview:

• Single-family sales declined at the largest year over year rate in over thirteen years as the market paused

• Condo median sales price was unchanged year over year, the eighteenth straight quarter without a decline

• Luxury single-family listing inventory declined annually as luxury condo listing inventory saw a large gain

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Luxury Condo:

• Median sales price decreased by 6.7% to $810,500

• Average price per square foot rose 6.7% to $445

• Number of sales slipped 24.6% to 46

• Listing inventory surged 20.9% to 208 units

Luxury Single Family: 

• Median sales price dropped 0.6% to $2,087,500

• Average price per square foot fell 13.7% to $504

• Number of sales declined by 15.2% to 28

• Listing inventory increased by 5.7% to 130

Wellington

Overview:

• Condo sales declined sharply as median sales price increased year over year for the fifteenth straight quarter

• Single-family listing inventory and sales showed sharp declines from prior year levels

• Luxury listing inventory across both property types jumped from prior year

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Luxury Condo: 

• Median sales price fell 19.9% to $585,000

• Average price per square foot dropped 10.1% to $313

• Number of sales increased by 16.7% to 7

• Listing inventory rose 72.2% to 62 units

Luxury Single Family:

• Median sales price declined 24.3% to $1,135,000

• Average price per square foot slipped 34.9% to $426

• Number of sales jumped 15.0% to 23

• Listing inventory increased by 9.2% to 226 units

Palm Beach

Overview:

• Condo price trend indicators jumped as the largest average sales size in two years skewed them higher

• Single-family listing inventory fell by the largest rate in seven years of tracking

• Luxury listing inventory showed a substantial drop as price trend indicators surged year over year 

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Luxury Condo and Single Family:

• Median sales price surged 33.1% to $14,000,000

• Average price per square foot rose 18.4% to $2,180

• Number of sales dropped 30.8% to 9

• Listing inventory declined by 65.6% to 22 units 

Jupiter/Palm Beach Gardens

Jupiter Overview:

• Single-family sales price trend indicators and sales continued to show substantial year over year growth

• Condo price trend indicators rose year over year for the fourth straight quarter

Palm Beach Gardens Overview:

• Single-family sales fell at their most significant rate in fourteen years

• Condo price trend indicators rose year over year for the third consecutive quarter

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Jupiter Luxury Condo:

• Median sales price decreased by 19.9% to $733,000

• Average price per square foot dropped 10.6% to $404

• Number of sales fell 13.6% to 19

• Listing inventory increased by 16.7% to 63 units

Jupiter Luxury Single Family:

• Median sales price declined by 11.5% to $2,300,000

• Average price per square foot decreased by 2.9% to $647

• Number of sales fell 7.4% to 25

• Listing inventory dropped 15.3% to 111 units

Palm Beach Gardens Luxury Condo:

• Median sales price fell 26.7% to $440,000

• Average price per square foot dropped 24.1% to $239

• Number of sales declined by 19.0% to 17

• Listing inventory surged 67.4% to 72 units

Palm Beach Gardens Luxury Single Family:

• Median sales price jumped 21.2% to $2,347,500

• Average price per square foot rose 8.7% to $501

• Number of sales decreased by 23.1% to 20

• Listing inventory dropped 27.5% to 95 units

By Isabella Zimmermann 

TimeEquities Launches Leasing For Resort-Style Development CasaMara In West Palm Beach

Global real estate firm Time Equities, Inc. (TEI) has officially launched leasing at CasaMara, a mixed-use, resort-style development located in the heart of the El Cid neighborhood and the Antique Row District in West Palm Beach, Florida. The project features a total of six low-rise buildings made up of 300 class-A apartments, a 16,000-square-foot clubhouse, as well as an additional 16,000 square feet of retail shops called The Plaza at CasaMara, all of which will spread out over 10 acres of land.

Construction is well underway at 3111 South Dixie Highway and is slated to deliver completed homes in three phases. The first 100 units along with the clubhouse, which houses many of the amenities offered at CasaMara, will be completed by early fall 2020. The following two phases will be completed in winter 2020 and spring 2021, respectively.

MSA Architects are responsible for both the site planning and the distinct Spanish-Eclectic style architecture of the development. ID and Design International designed clean, stylish home interiors with modern finishes such as bright kitchens, large balconies, smart home features, and full-size washers and dryers. Kitchens have been furnished to have white quartz countertops, white subway tiles backsplashes, and stainless-steel Samsung appliances. Other home features include oversized showers and windows, elevators in buildings, access-controlled building systems, and best-in-class acoustics designed with noise reduction.

Units range from studios to three-bedrooms, with pricing starting at $1,726. Lincoln Property Company, the second-largest multifamily management company, is handling CasaMara’s leasing and marketing.

“We currently have over 700 prospective renters on our VIP list thus far, and we are very excited about the incredible interest we’re seeing in the project,” said Stefane Spano of Lincoln. “This development offers an unmatched amenities package for the marketplace and is located in an exceptional, convenient area that is minutes away from Downtown West Palm Beach.”

CasaMara’s amenities, also designed by ID and Design International, were created to give tenants a luxury lifestyle experience. These include a resort-style pool with private cabanas, a pool pavilion building with grilling stations and a 60-foot water wall, a Jacuzzi with therapeutic jets, a co-working lounge with private offices and complimentary WiFi, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a bark park, a game room with billiards and Wii Stations, a club room with art lounge and fireplace, dining facilities for private parties. There is also a full suite of children’s amenities including a kids pool, an air-conditioned playroom, and an outdoor playground.

“CasaMara presents an opportunity for residents to have everything at their fingertips – resort-style amenities, shops, and restaurants, all steps from their front door,” said Robert Singer, Director of Development at Time Equities. “We are offering an all-inclusive, unparalleled living experience in an area that continues to evolve with exciting cultural additions and modern retail and office complexes.”

The Plaza will provide an inviting environment for the community and shoppers alike with its on-street parking, wide sidewalks with shade trees, lush landscaping, outdoor seating, and a corner park with fountains. Avison Young will be handling the retail leasing and marketing for The Plaza, which is set to open in spring 2021.

CasaMara is conveniently located approximately 1.5 miles south of Downtown West Palm Beach and offers easy access to I-95, Palm Beach International Airport, and all the other splendors Palm Beach and Palm Beach County has to offer.

By Isabella Zimmermann

Former Top Silverstein Exec Launches Hyperion, A New Investment And Development Firm

Rob Vecsler, a former Silverstein Properties executive, has announced that after leaving Silverstein he is re-launching Hyperion Group, a South Florida and New York based real estate investment and development firm. Rob Vecsler spent the past six years at Silverstein Properties in New York, where he served as President of Residential Development and Head of Acquisitions, overseeing in excess of $4 billion dollars in development and acquisitions, while also serving on the company’s investment committee. Vecsler has reconstituted the core team at Hyperion that developed several large-scale projects together in Miami.

To coincide with the re-launch of Hyperion Group, the firm has formed a partnership with Winter Properties to co-invest in investment opportunities in South Florida, New York and other select markets. Hyperion will serve as the developer for the venture’s projects. 

“We are delighted to have Winter as a venture and capital partner,” said Rob Vecsler, Principal and CEO of Hyperion. “Our combined investment and development capabilities, together with substantial investment capital, allows us to be bold, nimble, and competitive wherever we see opportunity,” 

The partnership just closed on their first deal, a development site in West Palm Beach and plans to develop a 300-unit multi-family property. The West Palm Beach site has flexible as-of-right zoning allowing for a mixed-use development, which will include over 300 multi-family residences. Managing through recent market conditions, Hyperion worked with the seller to negotiate and close the transaction at a basis that maximizes the new venture’s development program optionality. The venture is pursuing additional sites and monitoring the market to acquire assets presenting further value opportunities.

“We are pleased to have co-invested in the first of what we expect will be many deals with Rob and Hyperion, as we are committed to investing in and growing this venture together,” said David Winter, Co-CEO of Standard Industries. “We hope to play a key role in Hyperion’s growth as a leading real estate development and investment platform.” 

“We’re excited about this development project and the overall venture as it exemplifies Winter’s focus on relationships with companies like Hyperion that have strong leadership and compelling growth strategies,” said Rick Singer, President of Winter Properties.

Douglas Elliman Releases June 2020 New Signed Contracts Report for Florida

Douglas Elliman in conjunction with Miller Samuel, a leading independent appraisal firm, has released its second monthly recurring report for June 2020. The report focuses on the new contracts signed and new listings that entered the rapidly changing market in Douglas Elliman’s Florida regions of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Hillsborough. Overall, there was a surge in new signed contracts far exceeding year-ago levels, with excess demand coming from the Northeast. However, new inventory level gains have not kept pace with the growth in new contracts.

New contracts and new listings for each property type have been broken out by eight price tranches depending on regional pricing, on a year to year basis. Douglas Elliman will release a similar report to this one once again during the first week of August to disclose data regarding the number of new contracts signed and new listings during the month of July.

Palm Beach County

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Single Family:

• Number of new signed contracts soared 71.3% to 4,261 contracts

• Listing inventory dropped 19.9% to 1,604 units

• 642 single family homes priced above $1M went into contract, a 114.7% increase from last year

Condo:

• Number of new signed contracts jumped 76.0% to 2,626 contracts

• Listing inventory surged 4.2% to 1,175 units

• Condos priced between $200K and $299K saw a 107.6% incline in the number of signed contracts for a total of 467 

Broward County

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Single Family:

• Number of new signed contracts rose 76.1% to 4,336 contracts

• Listing inventory decreased by 27.0% to 1,622 units

• There was a 123.2% increase in the number of signed contracts for homes priced between $600K and $799K 

Condo:

• Number of new signed contracts surged 61.4% to 3,154 contracts

• Listing inventory fell 14.2% to 1,403 units

• 78 condos priced between $500K and $599K went into contract, a 116.7% jump from last year

Miami-Dade County

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Single Family:

• Number of new signed contracts edged up 74.3% to 3,955 contracts

• Listing inventory dropped 25.0% to 1,426 units

• There were 172 homes priced between $800K and $99K that went into contract, a 123.4% increase from last year for similarly priced homes

Condo:

• Number of new signed contracts climbed 54.6% to 4,093 contracts

• Listing inventory slipped 4.0% to 1,918 units

• 643 condos priced between $200K and $299K went into contract compared to last year’s 344

Pinellas County

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Single Family:

• Number of new signed contracts surged 95.9% to 2,897 contracts

•  Listing inventory decreased by 26.9% to 1,031 units

• There was a 148.8% rise in homes priced between $500K and $599K that went into contract

Condo:

• Number of new signed contracts increased by 93.4% to 1,408 contracts

• Listing inventory fell 12.0% to 512 units

• 28 condos priced between $800K and $999K went into contract, a 250.0% surge from last year’s 8

Hillsborough County

Key Trend Metrics (Year to Year)

Single Family: 

• Number of new signed contracts rose 98.2% to 4,524 contracts

• Listing inventory declined 32.1% to 1,550 units

• There was a 223.9% jump in the number of new signed contracts for homes priced at or above $1M

Condo:

• Number of new signed contracts grew 124.0% to 616 contracts

• Listing inventory declined 18.9% to 223 units

• Condos priced at or above $1M saw a drastic increase of 1633.3% in the number of new signed contracts for a total of 52

by Isabella Zimmermann

Tour Bamboo Hill, Lars Bolander And Nadine Kalachnikoff Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach

Bamboo Hill, designed by and the personal residence of one of America's leading interior designers and tastemakers Lars Bolander and wife Nadine Kalachnikoff, has hit the market for $5,900,000. The home was built in 2007 as the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach and showcases the work of 19 of the most celebrated world renowned interior designers. This residence is Dutch and South African inspired design spanning 8,751 SF with 6 bedrooms and 7.5 baths. The main house is 5,868 SF with 4 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms with 2 guest casitas also on the property.

Similar to the showrooms Lars Bolander maintains in New York's Meatpacking District his Palm Beach home favors a mix of 19th-century antiques, painted furniture, contemporary art and sculpture, and decorative objects picked up in the Far East and Morocco. The exterior of the home is a mix of architectural ideas that inspired Bolander from around the world. The door is Dutch South African style and the stone dogs are reproductions purchased in Spain.

Outside, the homes gardens were designed by Mario Nievera, he replicated a Persian motif he spotted at a fountain at the Taj Mahal to redefine the garden and guide seating plantings and spiritual paths. The lush backyard also features a pool with cabana and 2 guest casitas.

Bamboo Hill is located at 260 Palmetto Ln, West Palm Beach, FL and is currently listed for $5,900,000 with Gary Goodwin and Gloria Rodriguez-Allsup of Douglas Elliman.

Images via Douglas Elliman

For more information about Bamboo Hill, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

Two Roads Development & Alpha Blue Ventures Launch The Arquitectonica-Designed Forté In West Palm Beach

A development partnership between Two Roads Development and Alpha Blue Ventures has launched Forté, a boutique luxury waterfront condo project, coming to West Palm Beach. Forté, which was approved in early March 2020, will be located at 1309 South Flagler Drive and Douglas Elliman Development Marketing will be the project’s exclusive sales and marketing brokerage.

Forté is designed by Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica and will rise 24-stories with only two residences on each residential floor. The expansive three- and four-bedroom residences will range from 4,200 SF to 8,400 SF with the option to combine residences for a full-floor home. Forté’s six-bedroom penthouse will span 8,900 SF of interior space and 2,000 SF of outdoor terrace space that includes a summer kitchen, a cabana bath and 360-degree views from a private pool. Every residence will provide unmatched views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Palm Beach island.

“Forté’s location in downtown West Palm Beach along the Intracoastal Waterway presents a rare opportunity for future residents to experience waterfront living in a vibrant and walkable downtown setting,” said Taylor Collins, managing partner at Two Roads Development. “Coinciding with the debut of our sales gallery, we look forward to the advent of construction and to making this project a reality.”

“We are excited to work with Two Roads Development and Alpha Blue Ventures on this groundbreaking project in South Florida,” said Jay Phillip Parker, CEO of Douglas Elliman’s Florida Brokerage. “Palm Beach County has seen a record-breaking year and with the market’s continued strength, we anticipate extremely strong interest in Forté and look forward to the project’s success.”

Two Roads Development, Alpha Blue Ventures and Douglas Elliman Development Marketing are currently completing a residential sales gallery which will soon open adjacent to the project site on South Flagler Drive. Pricing is expected to start at $4.9 million.

Images via Two Roads Development and Alpha Blue Ventures

For more information about Forté, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

The Harry Pontarini & Stantec-Designed Luxury Condo LA CLARA Breaks Ground In West Palm Beach

LA CLARA, West Palm Beach’s new luxury 25-story residential building by internationally award-wining Canadian real estate developer Great Gulf has broken ground. Stantec is the architect of record, working in partnership with design architect Hariri Pontarini Architects, for the waterfront development located at 1515 South Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, Florida. Overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, LA CLARA provides a new twist on Floridian Modernism with expansive private terraces, luxury finishes and unobstructed views. The building offers 83 residences comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 1,500 SF to more than 4,000 SF.

“The goal of LA CLARA’s design is to maximize the views towards the Intracoastal and the Atlantic Ocean from every angle of the building,” said Jennifer Llop-Noy, project manager in Stantec’s Miami office. “We’ve accomplished this by staggering the floorplans, implementing a floor-to-ceiling glass envelope and creating exterior living areas for each unit.”

The structure’s façade will feature a contemporary Florida Modernist style with a muted neutral palette consisting of stucco, Roman travertine, coral stone and granite with bronze accents. The luxury condominium is designed to achieve LEED Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Amenities will include a state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga studio, spa, outdoor garden, dog spa, club lounge, theater, conference room, business center, wine tasting room with storage and a resort style pool.

Sales are being led by Chris Leavitt, Alison Newton and Joey Columbo of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing. Pricing ranges from $2 million to $5 million. The deposit schedule is 10% down at contract, an additional 10% six months later and an additional 5% the following year. The building is expected to be delivered in 2021.

For more information about La Clara, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

Great Gulf Launches Plans For La Clara, West Palm Beach's Newest Luxury Condo

The Toronto-based developer Great Gulf has launched plans for La Clara, their 25-story luxury condo tower coming to West Palm Beach. La Clara will be located at 1515 South Flagler Drive and will feature 83-residences. Great Gulf, who acquired the site for $24 million in September 2016, expects to break ground in March 2019 and deliver the building in 2021. The building is being designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects.

Residences at La Clara will range from 1,500 SF to 4,000 SF with a selection of penthouse layouts. Each residence will also come with at least 2 parking spaces. Amenities will include a state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga studio, spa, outdoor garden, dog spa, club lounge, theater, conference room, business center, wine tasting room with storage and a resort style pool.

Sales are expected to launch in Q1 2019 and will be overseen by Chris Leavitt, Alison Newton and Joey Columbo of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing. Pricing will range from $2 million to $5 million. The deposit schedule will be 10% down at contract, an additional 10% six months later and an additional 5% the following year.

For more information about La Clara, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

Brightline Locks Down Final Approvals For Phase 2, To Begin Construction To Orlando In 2018

Brightline can finally begin construction on Phase 2, their new line of tracks to Orlando after gaining federal approval from the U.S. DOT for the transit line. Construction on Phase 2 is expected to kick off in early 2018. Service is expected to soon commence between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, adding service to Miami soon after. On December 15, 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Record of Decision for the privately funded Brightline intercity passenger rail project between Miami and Orlando. The Record of Decision (ROD) represents the final step in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process after the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was issued in 2015 and is the last federal environmental approval needed to construct the system between West Palm Beach and Orlando. This decision marks the achievement of another significant milestones for the company as it gears up to launch Phase 1 of its service and start construction north of West Palm Beach. Over the past 4 years, The Federal Railroad Administration worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard, along with local authorities, cities and counties, on the project's development and issuance of the FEIS. Brightline’s station in Orlando will be located at the Orlando International Airport’s new Intermodal Terminal Facility (ITF) that will be the hub of the future South Terminal complex. The ITF is connected to the North Terminal by a recently completed Automated People Mover and includes a 5,000-space parking garage. SunRail, Central Florida’s commuter rail system, has a planned connection to the ITF. Over the next few months, Brightline will finalize the design for the rail infrastructure and the 70-acre Vehicle Maintenance Facility which will be located on Orlando International Airport property. Construction of the system will create thousands of jobs and provide a much-needed link between Florida’s two most visited and populated regions.

“This is the most critical and final step in the extension of Brightline’s service to Orlando, and we are excited to move forward with Phase 2,” said Dave Howard, Brightline’s CEO. “This was a great year for us as we completed construction on two of our major stations and rail infrastructure, successfully presold tickets and corporate packages to individuals and businesses throughout the region and priced $600 million in Private Activity Bonds to fund Phase 1. We look forward to launching service to Miami and starting construction north to Orlando in the first quarter of 2018.”

Related Companies Planning Major Expansion Revamp To CityPlace West Palm Beach

The Related Companies is planning a major revamp of its CityPlace West Palm Beach property, proposing to add 350 apartment units, a new office building and a hotel expansion. Reports show Related Companies plans to knock down the current Macy's building, which would be replaced by the apartment development as well as retail and dining. They would then add a 255,000 SF office building as well as upgrade the AMC CityPlace 20 movie theater into a more upscale, luxury theater offering which have grown in popularity and expand the Hilton West Palm Beach hotel. The expansion is pending city approval.