AT LAST: NEW CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN ON MIDTOWN DELRAY MIXED USE COMPLEX

The Real Deal confirms that construction of the mixed-use development called Midtown Delray Beach will start near the end of the year.  Included will be a mix of apartments, retail stores, office space and an underground parking garage.

Location is on Swinton Avenue south of Atlantic Avenue, covering two blocks in the Old Scool Square Historic District which recently got a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Midtown Delray Beach historic development close to approval

Version six of the plan for redeveloping two blocks of Swinton Avenue is close to fruition. Included in the plan are building an underground parking garage, offices, stores, restaurants, and apartments around the historic homes on the Swinton Avenue corridor.

Developer Hudson Holdings has redesigned and resubmitted the project multiple times over the course of two-and-a-half years based on feedback from residents, city leaders and historic preservationists — some of whom continue to fight the project. In six months developments will be reviewed.

Changes to the plan will include a maximum of four floors, aesthetics improved, and widths meeting city code. “I think there are a lot of elements of this plan that strike a balance between preservation and redevelopment,” Mayor Cary Glickstein said. Still some members of the city’s Historic Preservation Board want to reject the development, saying it is incompatible with the quaint historic corridor. Hudson Holdings will be hiring mostly local workers.

The Old School Square Historic District is under consideration for a position on the National Register of Historic Places. All homes on the southwest block of Atlantic and Swinton avenues will temporarily move while the underground parking garage is being constructed. The corridor will lose some of its mature trees and lush shrubbery, but many trees will be replanted in decorative pots above the concrete roof of the underground garage.

Progress does take time but improvements will make downtown Delray more attractive and updated.

This information was printed in the Palm Beach Post.

WE KNEW THAT!

Delray Beach was named among the Ten Best Little Beach Towns in Florida.

Atlantic Avenue has one of the most beautiful beaches on Florida’s east coast, a haven for art lovers & beachcombers: 20+ galleries & iconic public art pieces, Friday gallery nights, browsing local art, listening to live music & dining on the Avenue.

There are 800 condos, 127 townhomes, 141 villas & 739 single family homes.  Tell me which one you would like a list of 10 properties for, how many bedrooms & max price you would spend.  START HERE AND COME LOOK WITH ME!

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS

FROM http://www.pbcgov.com/papa/advaloremtaxexemption.htm

The Property Appraiser's Office is pleased to provide you with this Homestead Tax Exemption Application. Instructions to complete the application are below.

When qualifying for Homestead Exemption, you will need the following documents for all owners applying:

1. Florida Driver’s License or Florida ID if you do not drive
2. Florida car registration
3. Florida Voter’s ID (if you vote)
4. Immigration documents if not a U.S. citizen.

Documents should reflect the address of your homesteaded property. 

·       Instructions 

·       Application

·       Portability Application 

In order to begin your filing process you will need to:

1. Gather necessary documentation establishing your qualifications to file.
2. Request a Personal Identification Number.
3. Log in to online filing.

BEGIN THE FILING PROCESS NOW

The Property Appraiser's Office is currently accepting 2018 AND 2019 applications. The deadline for 2018Homestead Exemption is MARCH 1, 2018.

VOTE ON HISTORIC PROPERTY DELAYED AS DEVELOPER CHANGES PLAN

In its 6^th iteration, Hudson Holdings will make several changes in their plans. 

They will break up planned buildings along Swinton Avenue, south of Atlantic Avenue, to narrow them and be within the allowed city code.

Other new ideas came from a meeting with 100 residents and may result in Hudson Holdings incorporating some of them.

The new project will be considered by the city commission a week before the March 13 election which will change at least three of four seats on the commission, including the mayor’s seat. The commission will ultimately approve or reject the project.

HISTORIC AREA CHANGES ARE CHALLENGING!

We are watching these issues, with the knowledge that you cannot stop progress, though you can amend and change it somewhat.

Have you driven by the area and wished for changes?  Once a proposal to redevelop and build out the area has been confirmed, this will be the start of a renaissance in the area just east of I-95 and the areas to the west.  Delray Beach’s under-developed West Atlantic Avenue will see, sooner or later, many new projects. 

For the past four years, Hudson Holdings has proposed to redevelop and build out this important corner in Delray Beach that has aged.  The sixth revision to keep the residents who focus on historic preservation happy, has been proposed, was rejected by the Delray Beach city commission, and is under appeal.

The proposal prepares the way for some historic structures being demolished and rehabilitated, a few being relocated but remaining on the same block, and condominiums, stores, and an underground garage being created.  The city’s Historic Preservation Board does support a resurgence, but says the proposal is too grandiose for the subtle historic district. Some of the city’s oldest structures are tucked behind lush landscaping.  One board member stated that “It’s losing that whole ambiance of a historic neighborhood”.  Others are pushing for a “moderning up” [editor’s words] of the area.  Nearby are the Public Library and Tennis Center stadium.

City leaders say that this redevelopment could bring “the most important renaissance of the next ten years in Delray Beach”. Everyone agrees that changes are due.  Many refer to the area as “blighted”.

Big changes are hard to come by and sometimes it is not possible to please everyone 100%, but Hudson Holdings has made many changes to please the objectors.  

GARAGE SECURITY - IMPORTANT!

You have checked all the windows to make sure they are closed and locked, doubled-checked the doors, let the neighbors know you are going out of town, informed the mail so it does not pile up and activated all the passive security systems in your home. However, one area is often overlooked as you pull out of your garage and leave: The garage you just left.

A modern-day garage is a prime spot for thieves to gain access to your home. 

There are three basic types of garages that your home may have and each one requires its own safety measures. The first two are attached garages, and they can be divided into two categories: The front of the house garage that faces the street and the rear garage, which is out of view from the street.

The third type of garage is the detached garage. It is particularly dangerous if this type of garage is not secured properly because it offers a staging ground for thieves to enter the premises.

Here are a few pieces of advice that will help you protect your home:

Use Your Garage. Park your car in the garage when it is not being used or if you are leaving by other means. Many people leave their garage door remote in their car, and all it takes is something like a broken window in your car to give a thief access to your home. To combat this, you can also make sure to remove the remote if you leave your car outside of the garage.

Disable the Electric Motor. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, detach your electric garage door opener. This is usually a very simple thing to do. Most electric garage door openers have a rope or chain you pull down to disconnect the electric motor from the chain that operates the door. This protects you in two ways: First, if a thief used a frequency scanning device to obtain your code, it will be of no use since it is not operable. Second, it would require a thief to physically go to the door, which the neighbors could see.

Bolt It. Use a manual sliding bolt-style lock on the inside of your garage door that can only be opened from the inside.

Keep It In Good Condition. Make sure the garage door is properly functioning and that there is no damage to the panels through which a thief could access your home.

Keep It Contained. Do not leave important items in the garage and make sure to lock the door to your home. If thieves do break into the garage, you want to make sure that is all they can access. Place a deadbolt and anti-kick device on the door that leads to the garage.

The Same Goes for Detached Garages. For the detached garage, make sure you follow the same principles as if it was connected to your home. If the garage is out of view from the street where neighbors could spot a break-in, these rules become even more essential. Most importantly, do not keep valuables in your garage

Garage Door Security Tips to Prevent Break-Ins

You have checked all the windows to make sure they are closed and locked, doubled-checked the doors, let the neighbors know you are going out of town, informed the mail so it does not pile up and activated all the passive security systems in your home. However, one area is often overlooked as you pull out of your garage and leave: The garage you just left.

A modern-day garage is a prime spot for thieves to gain access to your home. 

There are three basic types of garages that your home may have and each one requires its own safety measures. The first two are attached garages, and they can be divided into two categories: The front of the house garage that faces the street and the rear garage, which is out of view from the street.

The third type of garage is the detached garage. It is particularly dangerous if this type of garage is not secured properly because it offers a staging ground for thieves to enter the premises.

Here are a few pieces of advice that will help you protect your home:

Use Your Garage. Park your car in the garage when it is not being used or if you are leaving by other means. Many people leave their garage door remote in their car, and all it takes is something like a broken window in your car to give a thief access to your home. To combat this, you can also make sure to remove the remote if you leave your car outside of the garage.

Disable the Electric Motor. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, detach your electric garage door opener. This is usually a very simple thing to do. Most electric garage door openers have a rope or chain you pull down to disconnect the electric motor from the chain that operates the door. This protects you in two ways: First, if a thief used a frequency scanning device to obtain your code, it will be of no use since it is not operable. Second, it would require a thief to physically go to the door, which the neighbors could see.

Bolt It. Use a manual sliding bolt-style lock on the inside of your garage door that can only be opened from the inside.

Keep It In Good Condition. Make sure the garage door is properly functioning and that there is no damage to the panels through which a thief could access your home.

Keep It Contained. Do not leave important items in the garage and make sure to lock the door to your home. If thieves do break into the garage, you want to make sure that is all they can access. Place a deadbolt and anti-kick device on the door that leads to the garage.

The Same Goes for Detached Garages. For the detached garage, make sure you follow the same principles as if it was connected to your home. If the garage is out of view from the street where neighbors could spot a break-in, these rules become even more essential. Most importantly, do not keep valuables in your garage.

CHANGES... THEY ARE A-COMIN'!

Members of the Delray Historic Preservation Trust are still challenging Developer Steve Michael of Hudson Holdings' plans for the corner of Atlantic and Swinton Avenues.  The plan is to rehabilitate and buildout part of the historic downtown district.  It would be “Caddy Corner" to the Old School Square and Cornell Museum.

Tuesday there will be another discussion before a city board with Hudson Holdings hoping to gain more public approval. Steve Michael said that they did everything possible and appreciated the previous feedback so they could create a better project.  They are keeping many historic structures in place.

Some of Delray Beach’s oldest structures are in the area being discussed, on Swinton south of Atlantic Avenue.  Hudson Holdings would rehabilitate and renovate those homes, build a hotel, stores and underground parking facility, all of which, it appears, is needed.

Delray Beach is a popular and interesting area for tourists and vacation home seekers, with focus on Atlantic Avenue from I-95 east to the beach and ocean. There are many historic homes in the area, north and south of Atlantic Avenue, and professionals have purchased homes and made them into offices, improving the appearance of these homes and upgrading the neighborhoods while staying true to the original buildings as much as possible. 

Slowly the area is “modernizing, upgrading” and moving the appearance of downtown Delray into today’s world. It is not easy to change the appearance of an area to make everybody happy, but it would seem that it will bring new business space and other amenities to the area, new income to the city, and new residents. Renovated historic homes will be much more desirable for purchase.

The picture herein is with the courtesy of Hudson Holdings, to show what the development will look like.  There will be office space on the second floor.

3 Trends in Kitchen Hardware to Keep an Eye On

You don’t have to transform your entire kitchen to feel like your kitchen has been upgraded. All you have to do is update some of your kitchen hardware, like the knobs on your cabinets or the handles on your drawers. You’ll get that new kitchen feel for a fraction of the cost. However, choose your new hardware wisely. Here are 3 trends in kitchen hardware to keep an eye on.

1. Artsy knobs

The great thing about the term “artsy” is that it’s totally up to your interpretation and discretion. You can take your pick of colorful knobs, varying sized knobs and knobs of many different styles. Got a theme for your kitchen? Go all out by getting knobs that matches your vision. 

Whatever your method of madness, personalize your kitchen in the subtlest and classiest of ways so you can impress guests. You can peruse the knob section at Home Depot or Lowes for ideas, or you can check out what’s new in the DIY section of the internet.

2. Bar handles

You can make your kitchen seem more modern and sleek without replacing a single panel or backsplash tile. Just incorporate long, straight lines in your kitchen with bar handles.
These handles are most commonly seen in restaurant kitchens: They’re long and slim metal bars that run the length of drawers. They’re not only great for design but also for utility. You can be completely engrossed in a recipe, reach over to grab a drawer handle and grasp it every time, without fail.

Now, if you have a theme for your kitchen, these handles are maybe not the best way to go. If you’re going for minimalist and even futuristic vibe, these handles are for you.

3. Finger handles

Although they may look like it, finger handles aren’t actually tiny shelves for mice (knock on wood that there aren’t really mice in your kitchen). These flat, stainless steel handles work great for the lower, base cabinets in your kitchen. Just slip a finger or two under the small lip of the handle to open your cabinets.

They look great and they’re completely functional. No more bending down to open a cabinet just to discover the pot you were looking for wasn’t even in there.

Pro tip: Updating the hardware in your kitchen is a great way to spruce up your kitchen before showing your house to prospective buyers. When you’re ready to sell your home, give us a shout. We’re here to help.

READY TO MOVE A LITTLE NORTH TO A SPECTACULAR NEW LISTING

Emeraude Condo in Palm Beach with ICW and Ocean views. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2145 living sq ft.  $1,075,000.  Come and take a look.  Penthouse (5th Floor). Call or text 561-302-3388~Marilyn Jacobs with Donohue Real Estate in Palm Beach.  RX-10383764.  Furnished Cabana included.  Fitness center, Library, High Security, Doorman, 27 units in the building.  Best unit available on the beach. HOA is $1100/month.  1 parking space in garage in building.

Short Walk to Lake Worth Beach with

shoppes, pier, Casino, eateries

and over the Lake Worth Bridge to

Museum, art galleries, antique shoppes

eateries, sidewalk people-watching

and SO MUCH TO DO!

GREAT LIFESTYLE!

PALM BEACH'S FLAGLER MUSEUM EXHIBIT “KNIGHTS OF THE AIR: AVIATOR HEROES OF WORLD WAR I”

The former home of railroad magnate Henry Flagler, “Whitehall,” America’s first museum, is a National Historic Landmark known as the Flagler Museum.  It was completed in 1902. Architectural style is Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts.

Take a guided tour and see the changing and special exhibits.  The Gilded Age Décor is elaborate and beautiful. Many original furnishings and art are in the building. It is located at One Whitehall Way in Palm Beach.

The exhibit depicting our WWI “swashbucklers in the skies” in the early days of aviation, runs through December 31, 2017.  This year is the 100^th anniversary of America’s 1917 entry into WWI.  Aviators were daring, patriotic, and adventurous.  Included will be works of art, artifacts, and printed materials, all on loan from the private collection of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf.

Guided tours are available Wednesdays at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm. Museum admission is free to active duty, reserve, and retired US Military (with proper identification). Check out the illustrated lecture that will be presented to museum attendees on Saturday, November 11 at 11:30 and 2:30 pm. RSVP to 561-655-2833. The 1927 Hollywood film, “Wings,” tells the story. Enjoy the price fixed lunch ($22) at the Café des Beaux-Arts in the museum which reopens on Friday, November 24^th.

A series of lectures will cover WWI in more detail.  Take your children, especially teens, to learn about past history: “Learning about past history will help prevent making the same mistakes.”

For current brochure: https://www.flaglermuseum.us/. Museum Membership information can be found at https://www.flaglermuseum.us/membership/individual-membership and other 

WHAT IS THE BEST INVESTMENT? REAL ESTATE!

In a quiet corner of West Palm Beach's Presidential Estates, where luxury homes abound, some on the waterfront, you will find WHITEHALL CONDOS.  There are sparkling white buildings with catwalk designs that bring N'Awlins to mind.  Beautiful gardens, flowering bushes, and palm trees are meticulously cared for.  It is quiet, peaceful, and there are a beautiful Olympic-size pool and a small clubhouse on the grounds.  Meandering paths have pretty views and an occasional bench to sit on and rake in the colorful pastoral views.

The new Banyan Cay Country Club is being built next door with a Nicklaus golf course, hotel and clubhouse, and they accept outside members.  Guard gated at the north and south ends, this is a safe secure community.

All units have 1385 living sq ft. They are spacious with a huge walk-in master closet, two bedrooms, two full baths, laundry room with storage space and a bonus room for storage or other usages.  There is a wall of windows at the end of the living room. Some overlook water views, some overlook the golf course.  Others overlook gardens. Kitchens have all the "usual" appliances and a small area for a snack. Some kitchens are updated, some are not. There is a pass-thru window from the kitchen to the dining area.

A property manager can handle "fix-up" that renters request and collect 

the rent for you.

If you are a large investor, this could be a way to start off younger members of your family learning about real estate investments "as they go."

Some of the Whitehall condo owners have two, three or four units that are rented out. Priced at market value, they sell and rent quickly. The units can cost from $114,000 to $140,000, and with many upgrades can cost more.

If you like this idea, give me a call or text me at 561-302-3388 and let me show you some units and the grounds.

Marilyn Jacobs, Realtor

TRAVEL CHANNEL.COM names Delray Beach as one of Florida's 10 best beaches.

Each year, nearly 1 million people visit family-friendly Delray Beach to enjoy the 2-mile-long beach that’s ideal for fun beach activities, including sandcastle-building. Take a break from the beach and hit nearby Atlantic Avenue, lined with boutiques, seafood restaurants and the luxurious Seagate Hotel and Spa.

From sailing and surfing to snorkeling and paddleboarding, water-sport lovers are in for a treat when visiting Delray.

For more information email marilynfjacobs@gmail.com

Whole Foods Market 365® Store Coming to Delray Beach

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – Whole Foods Market announced that is has signed a new lease for a Whole Foods Market 365 store in Delray Beach, Florida to be located at 660 Atlantic Avenue.

“We’re excited to bring the first Whole Foods Market 365 location in Florida to Delray Beach,” said Juan Núñez, president of Whole Foods Market’s Florida Region. “This store will bring a unique shopping experience to the community that will delight both new and longtime Whole Foods Market shoppers.”

Whole Foods Market 365 stores focus on an affordable and convenient shopping experience through design, technology and customer experience. The carefully curated product selection at Whole Foods Market 365 stores provide a streamlined and modern experience, while still adhering to Whole Foods Market’s industry-leading quality standards.

Customers can also look forward to unique in-store experiences with the “Friends of 365” program, and the free 365 Rewards program to save even more.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC FOOTBALL PLAYERS DO GOOD DEED, INDEED, AND EVERYBODY WINS!

A part of the “Paint Your Heart Out” project, this past weekend, the team’s starting kicker since 2014 and 30 of his teammates worked together to paint Sharon Pigott’s home in Delray Beach.  The event was done in conjunction with the Florida Waste Authority, and completed in 90 minutes.

Joseph is President of FAU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee which engineers and participates in community service events.  Ms. Pigott had not spoken directly to the students on the day of painting, and she was impressed and pleased with the turnout and the work they did.

Teammates working side by side got to know each other better under this stressless activity. Joseph said the events are “teaching me a lot about leadership and I enjoy the responsibilities.  It helps mold me a bit.”

Dreaming of living by the beach for a relaxed & luxurious lifestyle?  Florida Cities rated:

https://wallethub.com/edu/best-beach-towns-to-live-in/36567/

#            City

  9          BOCA RATON   

22          NORTH PALM BEACH

93          DELRAY BEACH

105        BOYNTON BEACH

181        LAKE WORTH

Article states these are not more expensive or less livable than landlocked cities.

NEW DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED FOR SHUTTERED GOLF COURSE IN MIDDLE OF VILLAGES OF ORIOLE

 

 

Developer proposes turning shuttered 18-hole golf course into housing project named Avalon Trail with 528 condos, townhomes and single family homes.  It is under contract now.  Location is Delray Beach’s Villages of Oriole and this would sit at the center of the community which now has 3,742 residences for age 55 and older.
 

About 600 residents went to a presentation and it was divisive with some wanting the land to remain a public space.  It is too expensive for the community to reopen.
 

The developer has pledged a $3.7 million payment for impact fees to the Village’s master condo association, and is also considering whether to reserve its home sales for buyers aged 55 and up like the surrounding community.  It is expected that residents will vote on 13^th Floor’s (the developer) proposal early next year.  Then the developer would need county approvals.
 

 Stay tuned.



5 Kitchen Design Trends to Take From PULTE'S Model Homes

5 Kitchen Design Trends to Take From PULTE'S Model Homes

5 Kitchen Design Trends to Take From Model Homes

The model homes of builders are known for showcasing the latest interior design trends in trying to appeal to home shoppers. So what’s trending when it comes to the kitchen?

PulteGroup’s Interior Designs Team is merchandising about 425 model homes in 2016. The kitchen is a big area that gets a lot of the design team’s focus too.

“Today’s home buyers are willing to spend more in the kitchen – from energy-efficient appliances to quartz countertops,” says Janice Jones, PulteGroup’s national vice president of interior design. “We continuously conduct consumer focus groups to best understand what they want in their kitchens and are constantly refining our kitchen designs and its elements to ensure it delivers on functionality, creative design and easy maintenance across all our buyer groups.”

Jones cites five kitchen trends in 2016 that they are reflecting in many PulteGroup model homes lately. These trends also can serve as inspiration for home owners planning renovation projects or wanting ideas for easy updates, Jones notes.

1. Contrasting materials

Materials are getting mixed in the kitchen. Contrasting colors and styles are combined to create a more unique space. For example, mixed marbles and metals in a space can help highlight gray wood tones.

2. Decorative lighting

Bold and oversized lighting choices are popular choices. “Decorative lighting is key in the kitchen and adds dramatic flair as well as functionality to the kitchen, especially over the kitchen island,” according to PulteGroup’s Interior Designs Team.

3. Transparency

Switch out some cabinet doors with glass doors. It can help you extend visual boundaries while also allowing home owners to display some of their favorite things and add more personalization to a space.

4. Storage

Home owners are always looking for more storage, especially in the kitchen. Double-stacked cabinets that extend to the ceiling can help maximize storage space.

5. More drawers, less doors

Having plenty of kitchen drawers can add more functionality in storage. Home owners are showing preferences toward more drawers over extra cabinets. Bold hardware can then added to the drawers to add more design appeal, PulteGroup says.

brought to you by MARILYN JACOBS, REALTOR

from REALTOR MAGAZINE

www.FloridaLuxuryCountryClubHomes.com

THINGS THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ ON PALM BEACH'S ROYAL POINCIANA WAY

THINGS THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ ON PALM BEACH'S ROYAL POINCIANA WAY

The owners of the 1.3 acre Testa property on Royal Palm Way, the Frisbees, are looking to buy the .8-acre site at the east end of the block between Royal Poinciana Way and Sunset Avenue.  They will redevelop the Testa properties and the adjacent four parcels that include Nick and Johnnie’s restaurant, Evelyn & Arthur’s clothing store, Eyes on the Island, the Palm Beach Book Store, Classic Collections boutique, a via and one apartment, owned by Vesenaz Inc.  Closing for these properties is planned for Friday.

It will be interesting to watch the revitalization of this well-known area.  Several of these buildings are landmarked and would need approval for any changes from the Landmarks Preservation Commission.  That includes two Arte Moderne-style buildings, Evenly and Arthur at 100 North County Road, and the Classic Collections building at 118 North County Road.  Nick & Johnnie’s façade is also landmarked.

Other property owners on Royal Poinciana Way, adjacent to Testa's, have been asked if they would be interested in selling their properties.  Two have said no but they are interested in the new developments that are coming.  These owners have been approached by others, including The Breakers, owners of the old Palm Beach Daily News building at 265 Royal Poinciana Way, who at this time do not plan to sell but would consider buying.

With Town Council approval received, the redevelopment of the Testa site will include a new restaurant, shops, luxury condominiums and underground parking. This is a pretty area, exuding Palm Beach‘s glamourous luxe feeling and relaxed environment. The forthcoming condominiums will be sold quickly, in this highly desirable neighborhood.

Will keep the readership advised of developments.  Stay tuned.