Loxahatchee / Loxahatchee Groves 55+ Communities

Loxahatchee, also known as "The Acreage", is an unincorporated area just north of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach.  While there are residential neighborhoods with smaller lot sizes, most homes in Loxahatchee are situated on lots that range from one to one and a half acres.  As of the 2020 Census, The Acreage population was 41,654 and 87.7% of households were owner-occupied.  Loxahatchee Groves is a separate municipality on the southern border of Loxahatchee.  Loxahatchee Groves offers a more rural setting with larger agricultural lots that usually range from two and a half to over twenty acres.  According to Data USA, the 2019 population was 3,520.

The dressage, show pony, horse racing, and polo communities have been spilling into Loxahatchee and Loxahatchee Groves with limited land in neighboring Wellington, the winter equestrian capital of the world and home to the International Polo Club and the Winter Equestrian Festival.  Horse enthusiasts are drawn to lower stable charges and the availability of equestrian properties.  Many of the sprawling lots in these areas come equipped with paddocks, stables, and dressage rings.  Vacant land is also readily available for individuals that prefer to design and build their own equestrian farms.  These areas have Agricultural Residential (AR) zoning which allows for loose animal restrictions.  With proximity to Wellington, lots with ample acreage, and favorable zoning, Loxahatchee and Loxahatchee Groves have become integral to the Florida Horse Industry.

While The Acreage was once one of the more affordable areas in Palm Beach County, the sprawling equestrian community coupled with limited housing inventory in neighboring cities has sparked a Loxahatchee Luxury Real Estate boom.  The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves are attractive options for the influx of out-of-state people moving from expensive urban cities to Florida. A rural setting with large lots and proximity to big-city amenities are highly sought-after features.  With this heavy demand, homes under $500k are rarely available.  The luxury homes in the area normally range from $1.3 to $3 million with some of the larger equestrian facilities carrying a price tag in excess of $5 million.  Mediterranean, Plantation, Rustic, Ranch, and Contemporary architectural styles are popular in this luxury market.  French Farmhouse design is heavily favored with gray and white color schemes, hardwood flooring, and marble finishes blended nicely with rustic accents.

Lifestyle

Loxahatchee and Loxahatchee Groves afford a rural lifestyle that is rare in densely populated Palm Beach County.  Residents enjoy large lots with optimal privacy, open green spaces, and tree-lined streets with minimal traffic compared to surrounding areas.  This is country living at its finest with abundant fresh local produce stands featuring goods from nearby farms.  Health-conscious residents purchase whole foods from small family-run farms that offer exotic fruits, organic vegetables, freshly laid cage-free eggs, ethically sourced honey, tropical fish, medicinal mushrooms, and many other healthy choices provided by sustainable farming practices.  While the DIY crowd can venture over to the Westgate Community Farm, a one-acre community garden in the newly incorporated neighboring city of Westlake, to learn about organic farming and promoting biodiversity.

With so many farms in the area, there are many farm-to-table restaurants nearby.  Swank Specialty Produce in Loxahatchee hosts regular "Swank Table" events that allow guests to tour the hydroponic growing houses and dine al-fresco on the farm with delicious meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients.  Diners sip on craft cocktails from local distilleries and organic wine from Florida wineries while listening to live music and watching nationally recognized chefs prepare creative dishes. Swank Table serves the community by promoting local farms and artisans, providing a friendly venue for residents to mingle, and donating a portion of the proceeds to local charities.

There are many nature preserves and parks in the area for nature lovers to explore.   Loxahatchee is just minutes from the JW Corbett Wildlife Management Area, a 60,348-acre nature preserve that features breathtaking nature trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.  Visitors can encounter a plethora of wildlife along the nature trails including turkey, river otter, white-tailed deer, and bobcats. JW Corbett is positioned along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail providing opportunities for birdwatchers to spot screech owls, blue heron, wood storks, and ibises among many other bird species.  Camping and fishing in the man-made, regularly stocked ponds are other great ways to enjoy this massive natural area.

Loxahatchee and Loxahatchee Groves provide a rural setting with a strong sense of community, but residents don't have to sacrifice the amenities of big city living.  It just takes 45 minutes or less to get to cultural arts venues, bustling nightlife, fine dining, luxury shopping, and world-renowned golf courses.  Live theater, symphonies, ballet, and other worldwide, sophisticated, and cutting-edge performances can be seen at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach.  West Palm is also a good choice for nightlife if you want to dance the night away on Clematis St. or you could head over to Downtown Lake Worth to indulge in some craft beer over live music in a setting that exudes Old Florida charm.  In the mood for a fancy dinner?  Palm Beach boasts a fine dining scene that is a foodie's dream with Michelin star chefs preparing delectable cuisine from around the world.  Palm Beach is also home to Worth Ave., the "Rodeo Drive of Florida," with a list of high-end boutiques and luxury brands that would delight any shopping aficionado.  Golfing enthusiasts have a plethora of nearby golf courses to choose from.  With proximity to Palm Beach Gardens, residents can easily golf at the PGA National Resort & Spa, home to the Honda Classic and six internationally renowned golf courses.  No matter what piques your interest, you will find it near Loxahatchee and Loxahatchee Groves!

History

The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves were uninhabitable swampland until Samuel Nathan Friedland, a Russian immigrant that founded the Food Fair Inc supermarket chain, planted the seed for future development in the area.  In 1956, Friedland bought 56,000 acres that comprise present-day Loxahatchee, Loxahatchee Groves, and Royal Palm Beach.  He originally purchased the land to plant citrus groves to supply his grocery stores.  However, bad weather in the 1960s destroyed his citrus crops, prompting a change of plans.  Friedland sold off a good portion of his land to other growers and the founder of Royal Palm Beach.  Another large tract was designated as the J. W. Corbett National Wildlife Refuge.  The remaining land was divided into one-acre lots by his development company, Royal Palm Beach Colony, Inc,.  They heavily marketed to future retirees and sold the one-acre plots for $5,000, which seemed like a good deal.  However, when buyers arrived at their retirement destinations, they were greeted by swampland with no drainage plans in place.  To make the situation even worse, Palm Beach County would not grant them building permits.  The disgruntled landowners couldn't find any use for their lots until they formed an association in 1978 to push for building variances and proper drainage. The county slowly issued building permits one by one until they finally eased zoning restrictions in the 1990s.

Despite past attempts to incorporate Loxahatchee, the residents have never been able to form a consensus and many enjoy their unincorporated community just the way it is.  On the other hand, Loxahatchee Groves was incorporated in 2006 in an attempt to preserve the rural nature of the area amid a rapidly growing population.   The current Mayor & Town Council have done a good job maintaining Loxahatchee Grove's rural character despite a real estate boom driven by the growing equestrian industry.