Al Adelson's next tower is not on the Intracoastal. It faces Clear Lake, a protected reservoir with no boats, no docks, and no activity. The building just passed $120 million in presales and broke ground in July 2026.
- The Berkeley broke ground in July 2026 with over $120 million in total sales already closed.
- The 25-story tower will have 193 residences priced from roughly $2 million to $12 million.
- Units above the 15th floor get dual water views: Clear Lake sunsets to the west and the Intracoastal and Atlantic to the east.
The Berkeley is rising at 550 South Australian Avenue in downtown West Palm Beach, and it is not where you would expect a luxury condo tower to go. Instead of the Intracoastal, developer Al Adelson chose Clear Lake, the city's protected drinking-water reservoir. There are no boats. No docks. No jet skis. Just water and a permanent buffer. According to the developer's announcement, the building broke ground in July 2026 and has already surpassed $120 million in presales. Completion is projected for 2029.
What is The Berkeley offering?
The tower holds 193 residences, including four penthouses, with two to five bedrooms and 9- to 11-foot ceilings. Prices range from roughly $2 million to about $12 million. The developer says these are the largest private terraces in West Palm Beach.
Design team: Arquitectonica (Bernardo Fort-Brescia) is the architect. John Moriarty & Associates is handling construction. Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is leading sales.
Amenities: Rooftop pool and retreat, resort-style pool deck, spa and wellness center, golf simulator, co-working spaces, concierge, and private dining. The building includes category-five impact windows and a full-building standby generator.
The site: The Morrison family (Sympatico Real Estate) assembled the 1.92-acre parcel by buying two older office buildings in 2021 and 2022 for a combined $13.5 million, then partnered with Adelson. We covered the project earlier when it secured a $62.5 million pre-construction loan from JVP Management in 2025.
Why Clear Lake instead of the Intracoastal?
This is the angle that sets The Berkeley apart. Clear Lake is West Palm Beach's protected drinking-water reservoir, which means nothing can happen on it. No boats, no docks, no activity. That gives the building a permanently unobstructed western view with sunset exposure.
Units above the 15th floor get dual water views: Clear Lake to the west and the Intracoastal and Atlantic Ocean to the east. The Berkeley is one of the only towers in West Palm Beach that can offer both directions.
The location is also being reinforced by institutional growth. A newly approved Vanderbilt University graduate business campus is planned just east of The Berkeley. Cleveland Clinic is expanding its downtown presence. Those anchors are pulling full-time, primary-residence buyers into the core, which is exactly who this building targets.
Considering downtown West Palm Beach? Talk to a real estate agent in Palm Beach County who tracks new construction and can help you compare pre-construction options. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group or call (561) 556-9853.
What other luxury projects are rising in West Palm Beach?
The Berkeley is part of a much larger wave. West Palm Beach has more than 2,000 condo units in its current pipeline, and the biggest names in South Florida development are competing for sites. Here are five projects we have covered recently that are closest to The Berkeley's downtown location:
Mr. C Hotel & Residences (320 Lakeview Avenue): A 27-story tower with 146 condos and 110 hotel keys, developed by Terra and the Morrison family (the same Morrison partner behind The Berkeley). Arquitectonica designed both buildings. Broke ground in March 2025 with completion expected in 2027. Prices start at $2 million.
Nora House (1105 N. Dixie Highway): The first for-sale condo in the $1 billion NORA District. An 11-story building with 117 condos developed by Ronto Group. Prices start in the upper $1 million. The walkable, urban-district alternative to waterfront living.
The Laurel (CityPlace): Stephen Ross's $250 million luxury tower in the heart of CityPlace. One- to three-bedroom residences with resort-style amenities and views of the Intracoastal and downtown.
Terra/BH Group Twin Towers (2085 N. Flagler Drive): Two 31-story towers with 281 condos planned for the North Flagler corridor. Terra and BH Group are paying approximately $100 million for the land. This project is across from Currie Park, where the city is spending $35 million on a waterfront renovation.
Alba Palm Beach (4714 N. Flagler Drive): A 22-story boutique tower with 55 residences that just opened in the Northwood section. Prices started at $2.5 million, and the developer says 95% of the water-view homes are sold. It is the first newly completed waterfront condo on the North Flagler corridor.
These are just five. The pipeline includes Olara, Shorecrest, Rosewood Residences, Great Gulf's 5400 North Flagler tower, Banyan Tree Residences, the Rybovich Marina redevelopment, and more. West Palm Beach is not slowing down.
What does this mean for West Palm Beach real estate?
As Larry Mastropieri explained on the Discover South Florida Podcast: "West Palm Beach is changing right before our eyes at a speed that is kind of crazy. I am up there frequently, and every time I drive around, I am like, what is happening? This is new, that is new, they broke ground already, and now they are vertical."
The Berkeley shows that the city's luxury condo market is expanding beyond the obvious waterfront locations. Adelson proved the market with The Bristol, the pre-pandemic Intracoastal tower that was widely credited with demonstrating West Palm Beach could command $1,000-plus per square foot. Now he is betting that buyers will pay luxury prices for an inland, urban-core address with protected lake views, walkability to downtown, and proximity to the institutional anchors reshaping the city.
With $120 million in presales and construction underway, that bet appears to be working.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Berkeley
What is The Berkeley in West Palm Beach?
The Berkeley is a 25-story luxury condo tower at 550 South Australian Avenue in downtown West Palm Beach. It faces Clear Lake, the city's protected drinking-water reservoir. The building has 193 residences, including four penthouses, with prices ranging from roughly $2 million to $12 million. Completion is projected for 2029.
Who is developing The Berkeley?
Al Adelson is the developer. He previously built The Bristol, the Intracoastal tower credited with proving West Palm Beach could command luxury pricing. The Morrison family (Sympatico Real Estate) assembled the site and partnered with Adelson. Arquitectonica designed the building.
What is Clear Lake in West Palm Beach?
Clear Lake is West Palm Beach's protected drinking-water reservoir. Because it is a municipal water source, no boats, docks, or recreational activity are allowed on the lake. This gives The Berkeley a permanently unobstructed western view with no risk of future development blocking the sight lines.
How much have sales reached at The Berkeley?
The developer announced that The Berkeley has surpassed $120 million in total sales as of the July 2026 groundbreaking. Residences range from two to five bedrooms, with prices starting around $2 million and penthouses reaching approximately $12 million.
When will The Berkeley be completed?
Completion is projected for 2029. The building broke ground in July 2026. There was an earlier ceremonial groundbreaking and sales-gallery opening in December 2024, but the July 2026 announcement marks the actual start of construction.
Local help for buyers and investors in West Palm Beach
If you are buying, selling, or investing in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, or Jupiter, understanding how new development shapes property values matters. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.
For practical, hands-on support across West Palm Beach, call (561) 556-9853.
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