DELRAY BEACH IS THRIVING

Soon to become Delray Beach’s first bed and breakfast complex, Hartman House sat on a corner, surrounded by almost century-old fruit trees, half-renovated, neglected and empty.  The theme will be, “step back in time to an easier way of life.

With three separate areas, the main house has over 3200 sq ft with 5 bedrooms ensuite (each with its own bathroom) and a 2-story townhouse over 2400 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and another 3-story townhouse/guesthouse with 2600+ sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, the property at 307 NE 7th Avenue was the home of Gustav Hartman, a former assistant postmaster of Delray Beach in the early 1900's.  

 

There are 5 garage spaces, pool, spa, and game room with wet bar.

Purchased for $400,000 in February 2010, the owners are intent on restoring it’s natural 1920’s beauty by re-creating the original crown molding, restoring the Dade County pine floors and building a 75-foot pool surrounded by an oasis of 80-year-old mango, starfruit and avocado trees and native palms.  They are creating an ambiance “of a slower, gentler time.”  Key lime scone scents will awaken you for your homemade breakfast.

Located 4 blocks north of trendy downtown Atlantic avenue with shops, restaurants and local events, it is a short walk to the intracoastal waterway and the beach.  Near I-95 and two major airports.  

In a different mode, Kotler Group of West Palm Beach paid $3.7MM for vacant land just north of the Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, with plans to build a 4-story 134-room hotel.  The hotel will also be adjacent to the livelty Pineapple Grove arts and entertainment center, and prices are planned to range from $100-$200 per night.  

 The tonier British Colonial style Seagate Hotel on Atlantic Avenue is close to the beach, the Marriot and Residence in are old standbys, familiar to many vacationers, and just north on A1A a luxury complex is going up, 4001 North Ocean, on the ocean, with 34 units, ranging from $1.4MM to $3MM.  Almost half the units are sold or “in the works”.

A recent New York Times travel article dubbed Delray Beach as being on the verge of becoming “a national destination".