An ultra-luxury hotel could be coming to a strip of land along North Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, in the latest example of the city's growing reputation as a wealth destination.
Orlando-based Unicorp National Development is in contract to buy out owners in the La Fontana condominium, at 2800 N. Flagler Dr. The plan is to tear down the aged condo and build something new.
In an Aug. 26 interview, Unicorp President Chuck Whittall confirmed he plans to build a luxury hotel to accompany a new condo at the site.
If completed, this would mark the first ultra-luxury hotel brand to be built in the city, across the bridges from posh Palm Beach, which is home to The Breakers and Four Seasons resorts.
Owners of the 144-unit La Fontana condo are selling
the property in a $200 million bulk sale because because their 65-year-old building needs expensive updates and repairs. Christian Prakas, a managing partner with Serhant, led by celebrity Realtor Ryan Serhant, marketed the property.
Whittall said the La Fontana property already stands apart from planned condos because the site is east of Flagler Drive, directly on the Intracoastal Waterway. The land also has riparian rights that allow for boat slips.
But Whittall said he wants to make a new condo even more special by adding an adjacent hotel, with upscale perks. These could include a restaurant, spa and rooftop bar.
"We don't want to compete with the same thing everybody else has," Whittall said. "There are a handful (of developers) building luxury products, but none of them are building a hotel associated with great amenities" in this part of the city.
Whittall said he's talking to five different luxury brands, including The Edition, a modern brand owned by Marriott International. Another luxury brand being considered is the Intercontinental Hotel.
But no final deal is in place. "We haven't decided yet," he said.
Regardless of the brand, Whittall said he's planning two buidings rising no more than 15 stories. The condo tower will be limited to about 50 units, he said, and the hotel tower will feature between 140 to 160 rooms.
Luxury hotel interest in West Palm Beach reflects the city's rising status as a growing financial hub and a high-end residential enclave, said Lee La Rochelle, principal at Spring Valley Hospitality, a Hobe Sound consulting firm.
"None of this would be happening unless there were a change in the economic conditions of the market," La Rochelle said. "It's the wealth effect."
Why do condo developers want to partner with hotel brands?
Branded condo properties already are big in other major U.S. cities, including in Miami. But only recently have some real estate developers in West Palm Beach partnered with luxury brands to help their projects stand out in an increasingly crowded field.
Whittall isn't alone in wanting to link a new condo with an upscale luxury brand, either.
Real estate sources said the St. Regis hotel will be the brand for a luxury condo planned by Terra Group and BH Group at 2023 N. Flagler Drive. The 1.5-acre property, now owned by real estate investor Jeff Greene, is under contract to be sold for $100 million to the Miami real estate firms.
The St. Regis condo is not expected to contain hotel rooms.
Neither will a Mandarin Oriental-branded condo at 5400 N. Flagler Dr., or a Ritz-Carlton Residences being built at 1717 N. Flagler Dr. The Ritz brand already has worked its magic with buyers, though. The property is nearly sold out, with $600 million worth of condos sold in 2026 alone. Related Group and BH Group are Ritz's developers.
Related Group and BH Group also plan a condominium branded with the luxury Rosewood brand at 2001 N. Flagler Drive, which the developers bought for $35 million in October 2024.
Meanwhile, at 400 Hibiscus St., pre-construction sales continue at the U.S. condo property of the global Banyan Tree hotel brand. Banyan Tree Residences is a boutique, 88-unit condo that will feature a ground floor restaurant and a rooftop private club.
Camilo Miguel Jr., founder and chief executive of Mast Capital, one of the condo's developers, said he selected the Banyan Tree brand because of its focus on wellness, as well as its global reputation for high-end hospitality. The condo will have all the amenities of the Banyan Tree hotel without having transient guests, a move that adds to the property's exclusivity, he said.
Can West Palm Beach sustain all these condo projects? Miguel said he believes it can.
The city "is a continuous evolution of a growth market," Miguel said, citing new offices, restaurants and companies.
Miguel said he is especially optimistic about young professionals moving to the city. In fact, he said some Palm Beach-area buyers are buying units for their adult children to live in. Prices range from $1.8 million to $7.3 million for the one-to-four-bedroom units, exclusive of penthouses.
Mr. C Residences is the first mixed-use hotel condo in West Palm
If Unicorp's Whittall goes forward with the condo and hotel complex on the La Fontana site, this would be the second hotel and condo complex in West Palm Beach.
Miami's Terra Group already is a partner in the Mr. C Residences and Hotel. The 27-story property at 320 Lakeview Ave. features 110 hotel rooms and 146 condominiums. The property's condos, priced from $2 million to $11 million is nearly sold out.
The building's features include the signature Bellini restaurant, private rooftop member-only social club, a ballroom for events, and separate fitness centers for condo owners and hotel guests.
Also helping sales: the project's link to the respected Cipriani hospitality brand.
In a 2023 interview, Terra Group's David Martin said having hotel services for condo owners adds to the project's appeal. "Integrating a hospitality use with a residential use will allow residents to get the services of a hotel within a residential setting," he said. "It's unique and something I think West Palm Beach really needed."
Tourism leaders said new hotels help diversify the city's offerings for both business and leisure travelers. They also introduce guests to Palm Beach County's other offerings, such as its restaurants, shops and outdoor activities.
Having an ultra-luxury hotel "will complement the portfolio of hotels," said Milton Segarra, chief executive of The Palm Beaches, Palm Beach County's tourism marketing arm.
Both La Rochelle and Segarra also noted the loyalty program of major hotel chains, which also helps drive business and leisure travelers to hotels. By partnering with a hotel chain on both a hotel and a condo, a property owner can expect these loyalty programs to further boost awareness among condo buyers.
Alexandra Clough is a business writer at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at aclough@pbpost.com. X: @acloughpbp. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Luxury hotel planned, more proof West Palm's a wealth spot | Exclusive
