New York’s millionaires and billionaires fleeing the city over Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral win are settling in an area of Florida they are turning into a mini Big Apple.
With the exception of the palm trees, West Palm Beach is looking a lot like New York these days. A stroll down its main drag offers up familiar-looking luxury high-rises built by New York developers, restaurants run by New York chefs, and many New Yorkers themselves, including Taylor Swift, who lived at a nearby mansion rented by Travis Kelce for the NFL offseason.
Samantha Curry, executive director of luxury sales at Douglas Elliman, has over $1billion in career sales and said New Yorkers are making up a huge portion of her clients.
‘The migration from New York hasn’t slowed,’ Curry told the Daily Mail.
‘What started as a pandemic trend has become a full lifestyle shift, with many buyers now making West Palm Beach their full-time residence.’
Lately she is getting even more calls, she says, due to a potential Mamdani takeover.
‘Political and financial factors are absolutely driving the conversations right now, especially with high-net-worth clients,’ she said.
‘Many New Yorkers are already preparing for potential tax implications and if that happens, we expect to see another major wave of buyers from the north heading to West Palm Beach. It’s the first stop for those looking to preserve their wealth without sacrificing lifestyle.’
And as West Palm draws New York’s millionaires and billionaires for its mild weather and low income and property taxes, the developers and restaurateurs have followed, practically turning the area into New York’s tinier twin.
Pastis, a Meatpacking hotspot, is opening at the Nora Hotel soon. Milos is opening at luxury office tower One Flagler. Expensive sushi hotspot Nobu, where a plate of creamy spicy crab will cost you $54, is opening at the Palm House Hotel on Royal Palm Way.
New Yorkers are also spotting fellow New Yorkers at their favorite haunts.
Sant Ambroeus, a New York City Italian staple, already has a location in West Palm Beach. Tutto Mare, a sister restaurant to the Hamptons’ favorite Tutto il Giorno, is opening at the Royal Poinciana Playhouse. Swifty’s is located at The Colony Hotel. Even 310 Bowery’s New York City concept has opened as 123 Datura in West Palm markets.
