Welcome to The Dirt! I’m real estate, weather and critter reporter Kimberly Miller with the latest developments in the sizzling market.
Florida has an unusual love affair-type co-dependent stalkerish relationship with Publix. Mention the chicken tender sub is on sale and schools close for a Pub Sub day (like a snow day but tastier). Seriously, the school board has to consult with Publix on their specials when making the school calendar. I only report the news here.
Today we have not one but two stories about new Publix grocery stores coming to Palm Beach County, and the only real question is will either of them have a Pours Cafe and Bar because a couple of brewskis while shopping and listening to yacht rock is exactly how I want to get my drink on (totally kidding because I don’t grocery shop.)
The Avenir Publix, which is set to open in May 2026, is the one that was crushed by a Milton-spawned EF3 tornado last year. There are some chess moves that need to happen, but West Palm Beach could also get a larger downtown Publix because you for real need Ozempic to get down the isles of CityPlace’s skinny Publix.
In other real estate-related news, La Fontana owners are nearing a big sale of their waterfront building to an unnamed developer, the Related Ross Foundation is helping direct new doners to worthy causes, there was a bidding war in Palm Beach for a home near the North End, and the plan to build a Boca Raton downtown has shrunk again.
West Palm waterfront condo competition spurs big offers and angst
It took just four months for celebrity Realtor Ryan Serhant and his agents to lock in a deal to sell the entire La Fontana condominium on West Palm’s waterfront. The buyer is known but it’s still a secret. The price is unknown but could be near the asking price of $200 million.
At the same time, enough of the building next door doesn’t want to sell that it’s not even calling a vote. The latest offer is for $180 million from an also undisclosed buyer. Friction between the yays and the nays can make for prickly group living. Just one more reason to live alone in a van down by the river.
A Palm Beach bidding war? What is this, 2022?
Bidding wars are soooo pandemic. But are they making a comeback? Is it the New York City election? The much-hyped Mamdani tsunami, the comrade clear out, the socialist scram, the Mamdani migration? Maybe. Maybe not. But what we do know is restaurateur Todd Herbst and his wife, Brandie, got $500,000 more for their Everglade Avenue home because of several offers from would-be buyers.
The winning bidder, who paid $21 million, is hidden behind an LLC buried in the Mariana Trench and guarded by genetically engineered smart sharks.
Billionaire helps billionaires donate wisely
The Related Ross Foundation, which was created by billionaire developer and Miami Dolphins football team owner Stephen Ross, is helping other donors pick worthy charities. The foundation itself has already pledged $10 million this year, so why not?
You see, there’s so much wealth and power coming to West Palm Beach, how can a newcomer philanthropist know the good charities from the bad? Legit question, really. Rich folks need like an Amazon for charities where donors rate them with stars and there’s just a handy “donate now” button. I smell a start up! Quick, call “Shark Tank.”
Live lightly.
Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate, weather, and the environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.
