Boasting one of the most prestigious locations in Florida, Boca Raton has developed a well-earned reputation as one of the country’s most sought-after vacation destinations thanks to the expansive and glamorous Boca Raton Resort & Club. Built by prominent entrepreneur Addison Mizner in 1926, the resort’s significance only grew when it was later purchased by Aluminum Company of America’s founder Arthur Vining Davis in 1956. Mr. Davis additionally presided over the development of the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club in the area which further enhances the region’s attractiveness.
The City of Boca Raton was well known during the 1920s through the 1950s for its renowned 356-acre Boca Raton Resort & Club, built by Addison Mizner in 1926. This esteemed establishment rivaled other renowned resorts such as The Breakers in Palm Beach and the Biltmore in Coral Gables and served as a destination for many visitors. The town of Boca Raton itself housed residents who worked or provided services for the club, contributing to its esteemed reputation.
In 1956, Arthur Vining Davis, the founder, and chairman of Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) purchased the resort along with over 1,000 acres of adjacent land. With his company, Arvida, Mr. Davis owned close to 1/8 of Dade County, 25,000 acres in Broward County, and property in Palm Beach and other counties. Mr. Davis’ ambition and innovation resulted in the proud founder of the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, in which he sold off part of his estimated 100,000 acres of land holdings in Florida in 1958. This pristine 450-acre property continues to serve as a source of pride for Boca Raton and its residents.
Featuring a nationally-recognized polo field, grandstands, stables for overnight housing of polo ponies, and a well-maintained 9-hole golf course, the property is bounded by the historic Boca Raton Resort & Club to the north, the Intracoastal Waterway to the east, the Hillsboro River to the south, and Federal Highway to the west. In addition, Mr. Davis’s development included strict architectural and building standards, as well as larger than customary lot sizes and owner obligations that are now still enshrined in the bylaws of the Royal Palm Improvement Association.
The first completed home in Royal Palm, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lundsford T. Nuchols of Greenbrier, West Virginia, located at 2148 Silver Palm Road, West, was reported completed in the January 1960 issue of the Royal Palm Reporter. This remarkable achievement set a new standard for luxury living in Boca Raton, with 742 home sites selling from $10,000 to $45,000.
Since then, Royal Palm has been a shining example of quality residential living, with many of the original one-story Bermuda-style cottages being redeveloped into two-story homes, complete with additional square footage and desirable amenities. To date, the total number of home sites has decreased to 688 due to some residents opting to purchase adjacent lots.The town of
Boca Raton has a long history stretching back to the roaring twenties when the famed Boca Raton Resort & Club was built. Residing over this vibrant landscape, Arthur Vinings Davi’s vision resulted in the exquisite Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club which continues to serve as a source of pride for appreciative Boca Raton locals and visitors alike. With stricter than usual architectural and building standards as well as ecologically conscious land obligations, these now historic properties propagate a sense of community and reflect upon the creative minds that brought these innovative areas to life.
