These deep insights into a fantastic collection of properties are brought to you by ZFC, your complete online resource for all things related to Highland Beach Real Estate. Traditionally the vision of a city is a teeming metropolis, with hundreds of thousands of residents, if not millions, skyscrapers, busy roads, and urban sprawl. However, in 1949 a new city emerged in South Florida with unique characteristics that met none of the benchmarks mentioned. On the contrary, Highland Beach’s total area was 1.1 square miles, of which 54% was under water. Moreover, the limited land for development was largely virgin territory, had no inland roads leading into it, and contained zero traffic lights. Indeed, it consisted of a relatively small section of one main road - the A1A coastal byway that runs between the ocean and the Intracoastal. The new city was the only north and south exits from Boca Raton and Delray Beach along the coast. In other words, driving along the A1A (also called Ocean Drive), one couldn’t get from Boca to Delray (or vica versa) without traversing this thin land ribbon called Highland Beach.
Nonetheless, everyone agreed that the real estate in Highland Beach east (i.e., directly on the beach) and west (i.e., directly on the Intracoastal) was tremendously valuable, with arguably the best outlooks anywhere in the state. As a result, they predicted that MLS Listings of Highland Beach Homes for sale would be on fire as soon as developers got going. That prediction came true, only with ten times the intensity anyone imagined as towers, townhouses, and estate homes sprung up in mostly gated communities with innovative lifestyle packages:
You name the luxury category, and it was in play in Highland Beach. Condo and home buyers poured in, sending the city’s population trajectory into the stratosphere.
Super-luxury projects were in full swing from the 1970s, gaining massive momentum in the next 30 years, with iconic, more modern complexes making their mark on the remaining land after 2000. The architecture was mainly along the Addison Mizner lines relying on Mediterranean and Spanish-revival inspiration. The following represents the superior caliber of Highland Beach in numerous verticals, but it’s only the tip of the iceberg:
Many neighborhoods are between thirty and forty years old, the groundbreakers that led the “gold rush” to lay a stake in the limited real estate starting in 1970. However, Highland Beach condo and house buying prospects will discover that since then HOAs have undertaken significant renovations such as concrete restructuring, reconfiguring pools, sundecks, clubhouses, beach clubs, boat slips, fitness centers, and more. Inside individual units, many condo/homeowners have replaced the original developer decor with the latest remodeling materials, including stainless steel, imported wood, exotic granites, porcelain, and marble. In addition, customized cabinetry, gourmet kitchens featuring upgraded appliances, and impact wall-to-ceiling windows and doors are commonplace.
Highland Beach may covet its privacy, but every resident is a few minutes drive from Delray Beach and Boca Raton downtown areas, offering non-stop vibrant activity and a good school district (see below). Indeed, they can access whatever their neighborhood lacks in conveniences like upscale shopping, banking, healthcare facilities, gas, private education, and beauty salons in its flanking cities. Moreover, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach airports and the local Boca jet port (for private planes) are short Uber drives away, as are green areas, natural reserves, and everglade enclaves like the Wakodahatchee Wetlands. Notably, the billion-dollar Boca Club and Resort, a famous lei