TOP: Private jets make up a huge share of traffic at Boca Raton Airport. RIGHT: A sign greets travelers at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility. Coastal Star file photos
By Christine Davis
Boca Raton Airport is marking the fifth anniversary of its U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility. Since its 2018 opening, the 4,400-square-foot facility has cleared about 7,900 international flights and welcomed visitors from nearly 70 countries.
Designed to meet all Department of Homeland Security standards for international arrivals, the facility is staffed by federal law enforcement officers with access to a trained K-9 unit. In addition to providing customs clearings, it participates in the Small Vessel Reporting System and conducts federal inspections for boaters.
Before this facility opened, international travelers going to Boca Raton Airport had to go through customs at other South Florida airports. By enabling the customs procedure to be completed in Boca Raton directly, this facility has reduced the number of low-altitude flights over surrounding neighborhoods and has made Boca Raton a more accessible location for international visitors, helping to enhance the city’s tourism.
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Bryn Mawr Capital Management, a subsidiary of WSFS Financial Corp., has opened an office at 980 N. Federal Highway, Suite 110, Boca Raton.
“We purchased the assets and acquired the client relationships and associated assets under management from Bell Rock Capital,” said Eric Springer, WSFS integrated communications manager. “We assumed the previous lease, and Jackie Reeves, director of retirement plan services, is in the area and has established presence” as Boca Raton office manager.
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The ocean-to-Intracoastal estate on 1.3 acres at 3060 S. Ocean Blvd. in Manalapan changed hands for $16.5 million, in a deal recorded July 21. The seller was the family trust of the late Dr. Gerald Kent Shortz, a former town mayor and commissioner, who bought the property in 1973 for $140,000. The new owner is Jorey Chernett, from Bloomfield Township, Michigan, CEO of Clearpath, which makes diagnostic imaging technology. Bank of America provided a $10.725 million mortgage to the buyer. Shelly Newman of William Raveis Real Estate represented the seller in the deal, while Vince Spadea Jr. of Douglas Elliman worked with the buyer.
The property had a 1942-era, 2,404-square-foot residence that has since been razed. “This property is one of the very few in Manalapan that you can potentially build east of A1A,” Newman said.
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Marc Schneebaum, senior vice president and CFO at Avalyn Pharma Inc., and his wife, Mari, bought a waterfront five-bedroom, 17,083-square-foot spec mansion at 2909 Spanish River Road in Boca Raton from Catherine Stile for $14.75 million.
Stile bought the property in 2020 for $2.875 million and built the contemporary-style home with a Boca Raton firm, J.H. Norman Construction. It was designed by Boca Raton-based Brenner Architecture Group, with interior design details by Jack Lonetto of The Decorators Unlimited.
David Roberts and Kelly Brooks, agents with Sanctuary Realty LLC, represented the seller. Rona Namer, an agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, brought the buyer.
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The 40-year- old, 892,000-square-foot enclosed Boynton Beach Mall on 91 acres at 801 N. Congress Ave. is up for sale, according to The Palm Beach Post. The mall was being marketed by JLL brokerage for redevelopment as a new residential neighborhood with 1,700 housing units. In an email response, however, a representative of JLL wrote that “our team is unfortunately not available for comment.”
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The Tideline Ocean Resort and Spa in Palm Beach, which is owned by an entity connected to Palm Beach real estate investor Jeff Greene, recently closed, enabling it to complete $20 million in renovations.
“Tideline is becoming part of the Marriott Autograph Collection of hotels like the Ben (in Palm Beach), one of their four-star boutique brands,” Greene said. “They require a property improvement plan to bring it up to their very high standards. We didn’t have to do what we are doing, but since it was rebuilt in 2010, we decided it was time for a refresh. It will have all new flooring, furniture and tile work to make it beautiful. It will look like a brand-new hotel.”
Since all the work is cosmetic, with furniture and supplies ordered over the past year, he hopes the hotel will reopen within the next 45 days. “We’ve already finished a few floors,” he said.
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The Delray Beach Housing Authority recently completed the Section 8 Management Assessment Program certification from the Department of Housing and Urban Development with a final score of 100%.
“To earn the rank of ‘High Performer’ from HUD, our agency demonstrated compliance with HUD regulations and proved efficient use of funding and resources while serving the greatest number of needy residents,” said Shirley Erazo, the Housing Authority president and CEO. “We are so proud of receiving this rating from HUD. This is a true reflection of our mission and what we stand for.”
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Jasmine Fisch is the new marketing manager for The Seagate Hotel & Spa, 1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Previously, she was the digital marketing manager at The Boca Raton, and brand partner and organic media director at LBV Fashion in New York City.
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The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County’s “Hot Topic Lunch” will host Michael Burke, superintendent of the School District of Palm Beach County, speaking on the status and future challenges of the local public education system.
The luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Mounts Botanical Garden Exhibit Hall, 559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. Cost to attend is $25, and payment must be made online at https://lwvpbc.org/event/sept-hot-topic-2023/.
Send business news to Christine Davis, cdavis9797@gmail.com.
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