Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Gardens is a city located on the northern end of Palm Beach County, Florida, positioned along Florida's southeastern Atlantic coastline. Recognized as a relatively young municipality compared to its neighbors, the city has grown steadily from undeveloped land into a prosperous residential and commercial hub that draws residents and visitors seeking an alternative to more congested areas of South Florida. Sometimes referred to by locals and planners as PBG, the city occupies a distinct place in the regional landscape, balancing suburban development with recreational amenities and a strong community identity. It sits within the broader West Palm Beach metropolitan area and shares the county with older, more established communities while carving out its own contemporary character.[1]
History
Early History
Palm Beach Gardens traces its origins to land that was largely undeveloped before the mid-twentieth century. The city's founding is closely tied to deliberate planning efforts rather than organic settlement, distinguishing it from many older Florida communities that grew around agricultural or maritime industries. The local government's own records highlight the city's "rich history," acknowledging that its development was shaped by intentional civic and land-use decisions rather than gradual frontier expansion.[2]
According to historical accounts, Palm Beach Gardens was incorporated as a city in the early 1960s, emerging from land that had previously served agricultural purposes in Palm Beach County. Its location on the Atlantic coastline of southeastern Florida made it attractive for residential development, particularly as the broader South Florida region began experiencing rapid population growth in the postwar decades.[3]
1970–1990: City Facilities Expansion
The period from 1970 through 1990 was marked by significant expansion of city facilities and infrastructure in Palm Beach Gardens. As the population grew and the city matured beyond its founding decades, municipal services, public amenities, and civic institutions expanded to meet the demands of an increasing number of residents. This era laid much of the groundwork for the city's later emergence as a notable destination within Palm Beach County.
The expansion of facilities during this period reflected broader trends in South Florida, where suburban communities were investing heavily in parks, government buildings, and transportation infrastructure to accommodate growth. Palm Beach Gardens followed this trajectory, gradually developing the civic backbone that would support its later commercial and residential growth.[4]
1990–Present: Modern Development
From 1990 onward, Palm Beach Gardens entered a period of sustained growth and modernization. The city's northern position within Palm Beach County positioned it as a destination for residents looking to avoid the denser development of communities closer to Fort Lauderdale and Miami. This dynamic was noted in national media coverage, which described Palm Beach Gardens as a "next-generation answer" for those seeking to escape congestion while still enjoying access to South Florida's amenities.[5]
Commercial development accelerated during this period, with retail centers, dining establishments, and mixed-use developments emerging across the city. One notable example of contemporary commercial expansion is Alton Town Center, a mixed-use development that has attracted a variety of retailers and dining options. New storefronts continue to open at the center, with recent additions including Sloan's Ice Cream, which announced plans to open a new location there in early 2026.[6]
Geography and Location
Palm Beach Gardens is situated on the northern end of Palm Beach County, along Florida's southeastern Atlantic coastline. Its position within the county places it near the northern boundary of the South Florida metropolitan region, giving it a geographic character distinct from communities located further south. The city's Atlantic coastal setting has contributed to its appeal as a residential destination, offering proximity to beaches and waterways while maintaining the infrastructure of a modern suburban city.[7]
The city's northern location within the county also shapes its relationship to the broader regional network of municipalities. It lies within the orbit of West Palm Beach to the south while maintaining its own distinct municipal identity and governance. Its distance from the more densely developed corridor further south has historically made it attractive for residential development oriented toward lower-density living relative to other parts of South Florida.[8]
Sports and Recreation
Golf and the Cognizant Classic
Palm Beach Gardens has a notable association with professional golf. The city serves as the home of the Cognizant Classic, a PGA Tour event held annually in the area. The tournament draws professional golfers from across the tour and serves as a significant event in the regional sports calendar.
The Cognizant Classic also carries local significance as the hometown event of professional golfer Brooks Koepka, who was born and raised in the Palm Beach Gardens area. Koepka returned to the tournament in 2026 for his first appearance since 2022, drawing significant media attention to both his personal connection to the city and the broader profile of the event.[9]
In conjunction with his return, Koepka announced a donation of five million dollars, with the funds directed in part toward charitable recipients connected to the tournament. The Cognizant Classic serves as the primary vehicle for this charitable contribution, underscoring the event's dual role as both a sporting competition and a community fundraising platform.[10]
The tournament's presence in Palm Beach Gardens reflects the city's broader orientation toward golf as both a recreational and professional sport. The area's climate, land availability, and affluent residential base have contributed to a strong golf culture that distinguishes it within the South Florida region.
Community and Residential Character
Palm Beach Gardens is characterized by a mix of residential neighborhoods, ranging from planned communities to individual townhome developments. The city's growth has attracted a diverse population, including retirees, families, veterans, and working professionals drawn by the combination of Florida's climate, the city's amenities, and its relative remove from the density of South Florida's larger urban centers.
Community challenges common to many suburban Florida cities are also present in Palm Beach Gardens. Issues related to housing maintenance, property conditions, and the needs of aging residents and veterans have come to the attention of local officials and media. Reports have documented the struggles some older residents and veterans face in maintaining their properties, with at least one case involving a Palm Beach Gardens townhome receiving coverage in regional news outlets.[11]
These situations reflect broader policy questions that suburban municipalities across Florida are navigating as their populations age and the cost of homeownership maintenance rises. Palm Beach Gardens, like many similarly positioned cities, must balance enforcement of community standards with sensitivity to the circumstances of vulnerable residents.
Commerce and Retail
The commercial landscape of Palm Beach Gardens includes a range of retail, dining, and service establishments spread across the city's various commercial corridors and mixed-use developments. Alton Town Center represents one of the more prominent contemporary retail destinations within the city, offering a curated mix of national and regional brands alongside dining options.
Recent commercial activity at Alton Town Center has included the planned opening of multiple new stores in early 2026, signaling continued investor and retailer confidence in the Palm Beach Gardens market. Among the incoming tenants is Sloan's Ice Cream, a Florida-based dessert brand with a presence in multiple South Florida locations.[12]
The city's commercial development continues to evolve in response to residential growth and shifting consumer preferences, with mixed-use centers like Alton increasingly serving as the organizing framework for retail activity rather than traditional standalone strip malls.
Media Coverage
Palm Beach Gardens receives coverage from a range of local and regional media outlets. South Florida Standard, an independent digital news publication covering Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, includes Palm Beach Gardens within its coverage area as part of its Palm Beach County beat.[13] Readers and sources can also submit news tips and inquiries directly to the publication through its contact channels.[14]
National publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Reuters have also covered Palm Beach Gardens in the context of travel, real estate, and sports reporting, reflecting the city's presence in national conversations about South Florida as a destination and residential market.