A father is building a luxury condo project in memory of his son who envisioned it before passing away in 2021. The Maxwell will deliver 23 Modern Art Deco residences steps from Atlantic Avenue.
Key Takeaways
- The Maxwell is a 4-story, 23-unit boutique condo at 306 NE 2nd Street in Pineapple Grove, designed by Netta Architects.
- Developer Harold Van Arnem is building the project in memory of his son Maxwell, who conceived it before his death in October 2021.
- Early reservations are open, with pricing expected above $1 million based on downtown Delray comps.
The Maxwell is a 23-unit boutique condo coming to 306 NE 2nd Street in Delray Beach's Pineapple Grove district. According to the project's website, the building features Modern Art Deco design by Netta Architects and sits within walking distance of Atlantic Avenue. At just 23 units, it is one of the smallest new condo projects in Delray's current cycle. But the story behind it is what makes this one stand out. The building is named after Maxwell Van Arnem, who envisioned this project but passed away in October 2021 before it could be realized. His father, Harold, is now building it in his memory.
What is The Maxwell?
The Maxwell is a 4-story residential building with 23 condos and 2,596 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. It is going up on the site of an existing 2-story, 6,011-square-foot commercial building on the south side of NE 2nd Street. Parking and landscaping will be on the north side. Ground-floor units will have lobby access from NE 2nd Street and stoop access from Railroad Street, which is an alleyway-style street near the FEC railroad tracks.
The design went through a special architectural review under Delray Beach's 2023 code update. The city now requires closer oversight of Art Deco projects, and this one passed. City staff found the design "successfully incorporates geometric shapes, articulations between solid and void, cantilevered eyebrows for shade, stucco finish, ornamental cladding and metal railings, and vertical features to juxtapose the strong horizontal lines." You are also getting private balconies, smart-home technology, upscale finishes, and lock-and-leave flexibility.
Why is it called The Maxwell?
This is where the story gets personal. The building honors Maxwell Van Arnem, who envisioned a luxury residential building in Pineapple Grove where "neighbors become friends, and those who are new to Delray become instant locals." Maxwell passed away in October 2021. His father, developer Harold Van Arnem, decided to carry on his son's vision by building the project in his memory. That personal connection is woven into everything here, from the name down to the design philosophy.
Looking at new construction in downtown Delray Beach? Talk to a Delray Beach real estate agent who tracks the boutique condo market. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group or call (561) 287-7000.
Where does The Maxwell fit in Delray's boutique condo market?
Pineapple Grove is the arts-and-dining district on the east side of downtown Delray Beach. You can walk to Atlantic Avenue's restaurants, shops, and nightlife, and the beach is a short bike ride away. The Brightline station is about 0.3 miles from here. As Larry Mastropieri explained on the Discover South Florida Podcast: "Anytime we are talking about Delray Beach, it is usually boutique condos because of the height restrictions. That is part of what keeps Delray feeling different. Where developers can build, they are putting these projects up quickly."
The Maxwell enters a market with multiple boutique luxury projects happening at the same time. Atlantic Crossing reshaped downtown Delray over the past few years. Onix Delray (26 units) is under construction about 3 blocks from Atlantic Avenue. Cache II is delivering 11 custom single-family homes in Palm Trail starting at $5 million. Fifth Avenue Townhomes brought no-HOA luxury to downtown. The market keeps absorbing these smaller projects because buyers who want walkable downtown living are still showing up.
At 23 units, The Maxwell is among the smallest condo projects in the current cycle. That small scale is part of the appeal. In a market like Pineapple Grove, boutique can work really well. The lock-and-leave positioning is designed for a specific buyer: someone who wants a downtown Delray address as a primary or seasonal home without the single-family maintenance. Snowbirds keep buying in Delray Beach, and projects like The Maxwell are designed with that flexibility in mind.
What is the pricing and market context?
Early reservation discounts are available right now. Pricing has not been publicly released yet, but based on downtown Delray comps, expect units to land above $1 million. For context, the median condo price in downtown Delray Beach as of April 2026 was $1,109,500. The average sale price was $1,428,743, with an average time on market of 78 days.
If you are comparing, here are some similar projects in the area: Onix Delray Beach has 26 luxury condos under construction at 318 SE 5th Ave. Chagall of Ocean Delray delivered 19 ultra-luxury oceanfront condos back in 2021. Moderne Delray recently completed 16 boutique condos at 1177 George Bush Blvd. The Maxwell's 23 units put it right in that boutique range. It is competing on exclusivity and walkability, not amenity scale.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Maxwell in Delray Beach?
The Maxwell is a 4-story, 23-unit boutique condo project at 306 NE 2nd Street in Pineapple Grove. Designed by Netta Architects in a Modern Art Deco style, it includes ground-floor commercial space and is within walking distance of Atlantic Avenue.
Why is the Delray Beach condo called The Maxwell?
The building is named after Maxwell Van Arnem, who envisioned the project before passing away in October 2021. His father, developer Harold Van Arnem, is building it in his memory.
How much will condos at The Maxwell cost?
Pricing has not been publicly released, but units are expected above $1 million based on downtown Delray comps. Early reservation discounts are currently available.
Where is Pineapple Grove in Delray Beach?
Pineapple Grove is the arts-and-dining district on the east side of downtown Delray Beach. It is walkable to Atlantic Avenue and about 0.3 miles from the Brightline station.
When will The Maxwell be completed?
The project has been approved by the Delray Beach Commission and early reservations are open. A specific completion date has not been announced, but construction is expected to follow the approval timeline.
Local help for buyers in Delray Beach
If you are looking at Pineapple Grove, downtown Delray, or anywhere along the Atlantic Avenue corridor, knowing what is in the boutique condo pipeline can help you time your move. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.
For hands-on support across Delray Beach, call (561) 287-7000.
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