The project reportedly received approvals years ago. Thirty-one luxury townhomes near Atlantic Avenue, with units anticipated to cost around $2 million each. But as of March 2026, no active building permits appear in public records. Here's what we found.
Key Takeaways
- Highland Park Townhomes reportedly received city approvals between 2019 and 2022, but has not broken ground.
- No active building permits appear in public records as of March 2026.
- Our Discover South Florida team contacted Courchene Development directly, and they declined to comment.
The 1.37-acre site at 375 and 395 NE 6th Avenue sits four blocks north of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. According to property records, Courchene Development assembled the land for $4.9 million through two transactions in 2005 and 2006. South Florida Business Journal reported that the developer received site plan approval in 2019-2020 and architectural approval in 2022.
And then, as far as public records show, the project has not moved forward.
What was Highland Park supposed to be?
According to City of Delray Beach planning documents, the approved plan called for 31 four-story luxury townhomes across five buildings. Each unit was designed to include a two-car garage, private elevator, and rooftop deck. The development also featured a pool and a 2,588-square-foot public plaza along U.S. 1.
Units were anticipated to be priced around $2 million, according to the Palm Beach Post reporting at the time of planning. The site was reportedly a car wash before the developer acquired it.
The location is strong. As Larry Mastropieri explained on the Discover South Florida Podcast: "This project would really benefit the Palm Trail neighborhood because it sits at one of the main entrances. Palm Trail is one of the best neighborhoods in Delray Beach. You can walk to the beach or walk to downtown. It's an exceptional location. I believe it will get done at some point. It's too good a location not to."
We hope the project moves forward eventually. The location is excellent for the area, and thoughtful development at this site would be a positive addition to the Palm Trail corridor.
Considering pre-construction in Delray Beach? Talk to a Delray Beach real estate agent who can verify building permits and project timelines before you commit. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group or call (561) 287-7000.
Why do projects like this stall?
Receiving site plan approval is not the same as receiving a building permit. It is not the same as breaking ground. And it is definitely not the same as a delivery date. Highland Park reportedly obtained approvals in stages between 2019 and 2022 and appears not to have moved past that point, according to public records.
The likely factors are familiar across South Florida, though we cannot confirm which apply here specifically. Construction costs rose sharply after 2021. There was reportedly opposition from neighbors over density and traffic on NE 6th Avenue. And by the time the market softened in 2023 and 2024, the economics that made 31 units at $2 million viable were presumably harder to pencil out.
When developers go silent on a project, it can mean internal restructuring, financing shifts, zoning appeals, or simply waiting for market conditions to improve. Our Discover South Florida team reached out to Courchene Development directly for clarification, and they declined to comment. So the exact reason remains unknown.
What is on the public record: the site was reportedly a car wash before the developer acquired it in 2005, and as of March 2026 there are no active building permits on file with the City of Delray Beach.
What should buyers verify before any pre-construction commitment?
Check for active building permits. Site plan approval is the first step in a long process. Before committing to a pre-construction purchase, verify that the developer has pulled active building permits. That is a public record and can be obtained by making one call to the city's building department.
Research the developer's track record. Have they delivered comparable projects on time? Courchene Development is reportedly known for spec mansions in Palm Beach County, not for delivering multi-unit townhome communities. That is a relevant distinction when evaluating risk.
Understand the deposit structure. Know what happens to your money if the project does not close. In Florida, pre-construction deposits are generally held in escrow, but the terms of when they can be returned vary by contract.
Ask directly about financing. A project without a construction loan in place is a project that cannot be built. If the developer cannot confirm a lender, that is a red flag, regardless of how strong the approvals look on paper.
What does this mean for East Delray buyers?
Highland Park is not unique. Across South Florida, there are dozens of approved projects sitting on vacant lots waiting for market conditions, financing, or both to align. We've covered similar situations in our reporting on the Florida condo crisis. The approval does not protect you. Your contract terms do.
There are active alternatives. For buyers who were specifically interested in that block of East Delray, there are projects reportedly delivering now. Casa Avenida at 102 SE 5th Ave offers 8 luxury townhomes with private elevators and rooftop cocktail pools. Delray Ridge by Toll Brothers and Ellish Builders features modern Anglo-Caribbean architecture priced from $2.6M to $4.1M. 10 Palms in the Palm Trail neighborhood has 10 ultra-luxury modern townhomes walkable to downtown. And 1625 Ocean offers 14 boutique oceanfront residences from $6.5M to $10M+.
The broader lesson is about timing. The best moment to verify a project's real status is before you sign, not after. Asking hard questions early costs nothing. Finding out a project has stalled after you are under contract costs a lot.
East Delray remains a strong market. The $400 million infrastructure investment the city committed to shows long-term confidence in the area. The demand for boutique luxury products is real. The issue with Highland Park appears to be execution, not location.
FAQs about Highland Park Townhomes in Delray Beach
Where is Highland Park Townhomes located?
Highland Park is located at 375 and 395 NE 6th Avenue in Delray Beach, four blocks north of Atlantic Avenue near the Palm Trail neighborhood.
Who is the developer of Highland Park Townhomes?
Courchene Development, a Boca Raton-based developer reportedly known for spec mansions in Palm Beach County, assembled the site and received approvals for the project. Our team contacted them directly and they declined to comment on the project's status.
Is Highland Park Townhomes under construction?
Not based on public records. As of March 2026, no active building permits appear on file with the City of Delray Beach. The developer reportedly received city approvals between 2019 and 2022 but has not broken ground.
How many units were planned for Highland Park?
The approved plan called for 31 four-story luxury townhomes across five buildings, with units priced around $2 million each.
What are the alternatives to Highland Park in East Delray?
Active projects delivering now include Casa Avenida (8 townhomes), Delray Ridge by Toll Brothers ($2.6M-$4.1M), 10 Palms in Palm Trail (10 townhomes), and 1625 Ocean (14 oceanfront residences from $6.5M+).
Local help for buyers in Delray Beach
If you're buying, selling, or investing in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, or Lake Worth Beach, understanding how to evaluate pre-construction projects matters. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.
For practical, hands-on support across Delray Beach, call (561) 287-7000.
Enjoy this blog post? Click here to subscribe for updates
Leave A Comment