Top Palm Beach Agents For Ultra-Luxury New Construction
Quick Summary
- Leading Palm Beach new construction agents
- Why ultra-luxury builds are so scarce
- How top brokers secure off-market estates
- Key trends in Palm Beach new homes
Palm Beach's New Construction Power Players
Palm Beach, Florida has long been synonymous with historic mansions, manicured hedges and an unapologetically private way of life. Yet alongside the island's storied architecture, a new wave of ultra luxury new construction is quietly rising, from Palm Beach itself to the skyline of nearby West Palm Beach.
Because land is finite and regulations are stringent, very little of this product ever reaches the open market. Most opportunities are curated through a small circle of seasoned agents who understand everything from approvals and view corridors to the nuances of privacy for high profile buyers.
This editorial highlights six of those specialists, each with a distinct vantage point on Palm Beach new construction: Margit Brandt, Suzanne Frisbie, Dana Koch, Christian Angle, Jim McCann, and Todd and Frances Peter. Together they influence which estates are built, how branded projects such as South Flagler House are positioned, and which buyers are quietly invited in first.
Why Ultra Luxury New Construction Is So Limited
On the island of Palm Beach, virtually every parcel is already spoken for. New homes are typically created by combining or replacing existing properties, a process that demands architectural sensitivity and political finesse. The town's review boards and strict zoning codes guard scale, style and sightlines, favouring designs that feel as though they have always belonged.
At the same time, buyer expectations have evolved. Families relocating full time want flexible great rooms, separate staff circulation, wellness suites and garages that can showcase a collection, not simply store cars. They expect impact glass, high efficiency systems and generators that can quietly power an entire compound.
This tension between heritage and innovation has pushed some of the most interesting new product to the mainland, where the waterfront of West Palm Beach is being reshaped by residential towers. Waterfront condominiums such as South Flagler House, Forte on Flagler and Olara Residences deliver expansive views of Palm Beach with amenities that rival grand hotels, while Via Flagler by The Breakers has already shown how a carefully scaled mixed use project can feel authentically Palm Beach.
Against this backdrop, the value of a trusted advisor is difficult to overstate. The right agent can surface off market teardowns with meaningful future potential, unlock pre construction pricing in vertical projects and coordinate the design and construction team to ensure a home lives as beautifully as it photographs.
The Agents Defining Palm Beach's Next Wave Of Estates
Margit Brandt of Premier Estate Properties is often described as a conductor, quietly orchestrating some of the region's most complex deals. A former Manhattan resident, she has built nearly one billion dollars in sales volume in just a few years by concentrating on the uppermost tier of the market.
Her specialty is ultra luxury spec and redevelopment opportunities stretching from the estate section of Palm Beach down to Manalapan. One headline transaction saw her represent both buyer and seller in a roughly 55.5 million dollar sale of an ocean to lake compound assembled by Hamptons developer Joe Farrell, a project that was still under construction at the time of the deal. That kind of early placement reflects a deep bench of buyers comfortable committing to plans and renderings when the design team and execution are best in class.
Clients gravitate to Brandt for her design fluency and ability to translate a vision into a buildable, marketable home. Whether the brief calls for a Georgian inspired waterfront compound or a crisply contemporary villa, she counsels on details that matter at Palm Beach price points, from ceiling heights and landscape privacy to the flow between indoor entertaining spaces and ocean facing terraces.
If Margit Brandt is the conductor, Suzanne Frisbie is often the insider strategist. A broker associate since the late 1980s, she brings not only decades of brokerage experience but also a development pedigree through her family's Frisbie Group, which has reshaped key corners of mid town.
Her work on Via Flagler by The Breakers, a carefully scaled mixed use enclave where six large residences sit above curated retail and dining, has become a case study in respecting Palm Beach tradition while quietly modernising how people live in town. Today she is a driving force behind sales at South Flagler House in West Palm Beach, guiding buyers who want Palm Beach views and service with the vertical convenience of a new tower.
Because Frisbie is involved from concept through sell out on many projects, she understands how small decisions on unit mix, ceiling heights and amenity programming translate into long term value. For private clients, that insight can help decide whether a buyer is better served by an in town villa, a lakefront estate or a turnkey residence in a waterfront building.
Dana Koch, a principal of the Koch Team at The Corcoran Group, brings the perspective of a lifelong Palm Beach resident. Working alongside his mother and partner, Paulette Koch, he has long been a fixture at the top of the island's sales rankings, and recent years have seen him emerge as a go to broker for fresh, ground up estates.
A recent example is a Bermuda style estate on Algoma Road in the coveted estate section, a newly completed home designed by a leading Palm Beach team with classical proportions and thoroughly modern infrastructure. Koch is known for collaborating closely with developers on finishes, landscape and furnishings so that when a home is delivered, it feels complete from day one.
At the same time, he is deeply conversant in the wave of new condominium development along Flagler Drive. When a client is torn between, say, an island spec estate and a residence at Forte on Flagler or Olara Residences, Koch can speak to the lived experience of each option, from the ease of lock and leave living to the nuances of views, marina access and concierge services.
Christian Angle, founder of Christian Angle Real Estate, runs a boutique brokerage that consistently punches above its weight. He is the agent behind some of the island's most talked about listings, including a recently completed oceanfront compound on Billionaires' Row that includes an underground tunnel leading to a private beach cabana.
New construction oceanfront estates of that calibre are extraordinarily rare, and Angle has become adept at articulating why they command premiums over even the finest renovated properties. Ceiling heights, structural engineering, modern life safety systems and the ability to withstand ever stronger storms all factor into the story he tells buyers, alongside the intangible benefit of being the first to live in a home.
His approach is detail driven. He is known to walk a property repeatedly at different times of day, fine tuning how light, views and circulation are presented. For developers, that feedback can shape how a spec home is finished; for buyers, it provides confidence that every square foot is working as hard as it should.
Jim McCann of Premier Estate Properties brings a historian's eye to new construction. After more than a quarter century handling iconic estates across Palm Beach, he is uniquely positioned to explain how a new home fits into the island's architectural lineage and what that means for long term value.
McCann is often consulted early in the life of a project, weighing in on everything from the siting of a pool pavilion to the way a motor court presents on approach. Recent listings on his roster have included British West Indies inspired homes on the North End and contemporary Intracoastal estates with yacht friendly docks, each designed to appeal to buyers who want resort style living without sacrificing classic Palm Beach character.
For clients contemplating their own ground up build, McCann's guidance extends beyond aesthetics. He is candid about permitting timelines, the realities of building in a coastal environment and the importance of assembling a design team that can navigate both construction and community expectations.
Rounding out this group is the husband and wife team of Todd and Frances Peter at Sotheby's International Realty. With deep roots in the area and a global marketing platform, they are trusted advisors on both island and near island properties, particularly along the North End and across the bridges.
The Peters have been involved in a series of notable new waterfront transactions, including lakefront spec homes and oceanfront properties in neighbouring communities such as Manalapan. Their approach blends rigorous market analytics with a hands on, concierge level service that can include everything from coordinating architects and builders to arranging private yacht tours of prospective properties.
Because their client base is truly international, they are adept at translating Palm Beach's subtle market signals for buyers who may be purchasing their first home in the area. That includes explaining why a seemingly similar new house can command a significant premium based on its street, exposure or ability to accommodate future expansion.
How To Work With A Palm Beach New Construction Specialist
For buyers, engaging one of these specialists early is critical. The most compelling opportunities are often identified long before a public listing appears, whether that means an off market teardown ripe for redevelopment, an unadvertised position in a tower such as South Flagler House or a not yet announced spec estate quietly being assembled.
The first step is clarity on how you intend to use the property. A primary residence demands different planning from a lock and leave retreat. Your agent will want to understand how many weeks you intend to spend in Palm Beach, how you entertain, whether you travel with staff and how important dockage, tennis or club access are to your lifestyle.
Next comes due diligence on the development itself. Seasoned Palm Beach agents will help you evaluate the sponsor's track record, the architect and builder, the quality of structure and systems and, in the case of vertical living, the long term implications of association rules and budgets. Many insist on walking buyers through comparable finished product by the same team so that what is being promised on paper can be seen in real life.
Finally, these brokers are invaluable negotiators. In a market where demand often outstrips supply, they can secure allocation of preferred lines or lots, negotiate for customisation windows and protect clients through complex contracts. Perhaps most importantly, they act as long term advisors, tracking how a new home performs over time relative to the wider Palm Beach and West Palm Beach marketplace.
FAQs
What makes ultra luxury new construction in Palm Beach so hard to find? Supply is limited by the island's size, strict design review and the preference for low scale architecture. Many owners also choose quiet off market sales, so the most interesting opportunities rarely appear on public portals.
What price range should I expect for a brand new Palm Beach estate? Pricing moves quickly, but buyers should expect newly built island homes with strong locations to begin in the mid eight figures, with exceptional oceanfront or lake to ocean properties trading significantly higher.
How early can I secure a residence in a project like South Flagler House or a top spec build? In many cases, leading agents can position clients before formal sales launches or while a spec home is still under construction, which can open the door to more customisation and better line selection.
Should I focus only on Palm Beach, or also consider West Palm Beach towers? That decision usually comes down to lifestyle. Waterfront buildings such as South Flagler House, Forte on Flagler and Olara Residences provide vertical convenience, hotel level amenities and sweeping views back to the island, while an on island estate emphasises privacy, land and the feel of a traditional house.
What is the best way to choose between these leading Palm Beach agents? Consider where you expect most of your search to focus, which personalities and teams mirror your own decision making style and who has the most relevant new construction track record for your goals. For curated introductions and a broader view of South Florida's ultra luxury landscape, connect with MILLION Luxury.
Million Luxury
Million Luxury
Welcome to MILLION, an exclusive luxury real estate boutique nestled in the heart of South Florida’s most desirable locations. Specializing in high-end properties, we provide a sanctuary for discerning clients including top Fortune 500 executives, affluent families, celebrities, and professional athletes from across the globe. At MILLION, we understand the unique demands of our elite clientele and offer a seamless blend of confidentiality and personalized attention. Our commitment to privacy is unwavering; we ensure that every transaction and interaction is handled with the utmost discretion and according to stringent confidentiality protocols. Our concierge service embodies the pinnacle of white-glove care, offering tailored assistance that transcends traditional real estate support.
