Boca Raton

Welcome to Boca Raton

Real Estate in Boca Raton: A Slice of Paradise

Addison Mizner, a California native and architect, was commissioned in the 1920’s to design and develop Boca Raton real estate. He developed the city itself from a small incorporated town, into a world-renowned community known for its luxurious lifestyle and high quality of living. Mizner advertised this up-and-coming city with the following advertisement:

“I am the rendezvous of the rich, I am the dream of a genius, the materialization of a magical mirage. I am the sun porch of America. I am Boca Raton in 1927.” It is through his work and his distinct Mediterranean Revival style of architecture that helped this city grow from a farming village in 1903, to develop real estate in Boca Raton to what is known today as “the Beverly Hills of South Florida.”

A City Rooted in History

Boca Raton was put on the map by Mizner in 1925 when he and his partners purchased 1,600 acres of land in the area. To this day, his unique style of architecture for real estate in Boca Raton can be found throughout the city. Susan Gilles, curator at the Historical Society says, “Mizner’s dreams really changed the shape of the community. It was our glamour era, and he put her on the map.”

Today, residents can still see Mizner’s work. His work can be seen at the city hall, which he was commissioned to design. It can also be found at the restored Boca Raton Historical Society, and the Cloister Inn, which was built in 1926 and features 365 guestrooms and suites. “The Cloister Inn was extremely significant to the development of the city,” says Gilles, “It provided an infrastructure that wouldn’t have existed otherwise.”

Today it is known as the Boca Raton Resort & Club with the original building fondly referred to as “The Cloister.” This historic landmark is a major site for visitors and residents alike, and still acts as an integral and elite aspect of the city. The original structure, a pink tower visible from miles away rising out of the Intracoastal Waterway, is still standing today.

Yet another historical location that has evolved into a modern masterpiece is Mizner Park, which is a major outdoor destination surrounded by stores, and includes and a lush, perfectly manicured landscape in the center. At the end of the park is the Centre for the Arts which has an amphitheater, concert hall, and the Boca Raton Museum of Art.

Jackie Lomonte, a New York resident who moved with her husband to Boca Raton in 1992 describes this outdoor lifestyle by saying, “the city is full of places that provide residents the ability, convenience, and pleasure of living their lives outside.” She’s absolutely right! In addition to Mizner Park, there are 43 other parks, 20 golf courses, and of course, the pristine beaches to give residents plenty of reasons to enjoy the South Florida weather.

Boca Raton Homes for Sale: Come One, Come All!

A realtor who moved to Boca from Canada in 1978, reminds people that this is a place for people from all walks of life saying, “There’s a casualness about Boca that surprises people. It’s not a snobby as people think. At the end of the day, we’re all working here, and raising our families just like everyone else.”

Many residents live in West Boca. This is where you’ll find the majority of the middle class families, yet there are plenty of world class communities as well. The average home price here is roughly $300,000 which can buy you something such as a 2,500 square-foot home with three bedrooms. Some West Boca communities include the following:

• Boca Square

• The Shores

• The Oaks

• Lake Floresta

• Boca Del Mar

• Boca Pointe

Of course, that’s not to say affluent buyers won’t be impressed with the luxury Boca Raton homes for sale. On the contrary, according to Forbes magazine the city houses three of the 10 most expensive gated communities in the United States. The number one option is the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club. For those looking to settle in high-end communities or coastal condominiums, be sure to look at the following options:

• Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club

• St. Andrews Country Club

• The Sanctuary

• Mizner Grand

• Broken Sound Country Club

• Lake Rogers

• Boca Harbour

• One Thousand Ocean

All of the gates in these gated communities are there for style. The gates aren’t needed as the crime rates in Boca Raton are incredibly low.  Zev Freidus, broker and president of Boca Executive Realty explains, “The streets are quieter. Kids can play ball outside since the only people on the road are those who live there.”

West Boca is also known for an excellent school system which includes 16 different private schools. East Boca is where you’ll find retirees, and second-home owners. The high-end homes here are commonly purchased by second-home owners from the Northeast, Europe, or South America as a secondary location to dock their yachts.

It is here that you will find top of the line luxury homes and waterfront properties looking out into the Atlantic Ocean. East Boca offers oceanside living and quick access to the pristine beaches.

Sights and Shopping in Boca Raton

Boca Raton is home to various artistic and cultural attractions like theatres, museums, visual arts performances, libraries, and many others. The city’s made a commitment to “Go Green” in the coming years as it continues to develop. The aforementioned Mizner Park is one such place where you can view a number of these attractive options.

Shopping in Boca Raton is in the top of its class, rivaled only by the most massive cities in the world. The Boca Town Center Mall, for example, is the largest indoor mall in Palm Beach County. It is conveniently located near all parts of the surrounding city. Here you will find plenty of notable department store options:

• Neiman Marcus

• Saks Fifth Avenue

• Bloomingdale’s

• Nordstrom

• Macy’s

• Boutiques like Burberry, Bulgari, Hugo Boss, Tiffany, Cartier, and more.

Whether you’re looking for the finest luxury homes South Florida has to offer, or simply a sunny city on the pristine beaches of the coast to call home, Boca Raton real estate offers something for everyone.