The brainchild of railroad magnate and oil baron, Henry Flagler, West Palm Beach was founded as a commercial and residential hub for workers and support staff of Flagler’s elegant Palm Beach hotels. The original town site was comprised of just 48 blocks—land purchased in 1894 for $45,000. Flagler provided much of the infrastructure for the fledgling town, which officially became a city in 1903, and the seat of government for Palm Beach County in 1909.

By 1917, the West Palm Canal made the area a main distribution center for shipping local produce throughout the country, and by 1925 a second railroad further supported its ever-increasing tourism industry. With the onset of World War II, and the construction of Palm Beach Air Force Base, thousands of military personnel moved into the area. Many stayed on after the war, and by the 1950’s West Palm Beach had become one of the country’s fastest growing metropolitan areas.

With the advent of the 1990’s, such developments as City Place, and the preservation and renovation of 1920’s architecture in the entertainment and shopping district around Clematis Street brought a downtown resurgence, and a revitalization of such historic neighborhoods as El Cid, Flamingo Park, and Northwood.

What began as an adjunctive service community for Palm Beach has developed into a vibrant neighboring community just across the bridge on Flagler Way. From Kravis Center opera and theatrical entertainment to diverse clubs, restaurants, and galleries on Clematis and the exceptional El Cid historic residential district, the energy of West Palm Beach makes it the natural choice for affluent active professionals. Shop for high-end West Palm Beach properties for sale.

John Volk, William Manley King, and Henry Steven Harvey are among the architects who most strongly influenced the signature look of West Palm Beach. From Mediterranean Revival to Mission Revival, many of the designs they created in the area’s historic districts are today listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Premier Estate Properties is proud to offer a superb array of properties for sale in West Palm Beach’s most desirable locations. From magnificent mansions on multiple acres to luxury condominiums and oceanfront properties, we can make your West Palm Beach dream a reality. We invite you to contact Premier Estate Properties’ Agents in our Palm Beach Office on Worth Avenue.