The Yacht Club at The Boca Raton is one of four resort venues that earned five-star ratings with Forbes Travel Guide. Photo provided
By Christine Davis
The Boca Raton received 24 stars in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Star Awards. The Beach Club and Spa Palmera at the resort retained five-star ratings, with the Yacht Club and Flybridge restaurant also elevated to five-star status. Additionally, the Tower hotel was recognized with a four-star award.
Arriving as The Boca Raton commemorates its hundred-year anniversary, these distinctions place it among seven resorts worldwide to earn quadruple five-star status — and the only one outside Asia. The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach also received awards. Its hotel and spa received five stars, with Florie’s restaurant receiving a four-star rating.
Forbes Travel Guide rates luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and cruise ships. This year marks Forbes Travel Guide’s 68th annual Star Awards list and spans more than 95 countries worldwide.
***
A trust in the name of David F. MacNeil, the founder and CEO of WeatherTech, paid $68.32 million for an ocean-to-Intracoastal Waterway estate at 1940 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan.
The sellers were Francis and Dolores Mennella. In 2018, the Mennellas bought the lot from a company controlled by Billy Joel, and built a new home. Francis Mennella is the president of Valley Tool & Plastics in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania.
The six-bedroom residence, with 10,521 square feet, was built in 2022 by Frankel Estates Homes and designed by Affiniti Architects. It sits on 1.94 acres. It features a 1,200-square-foot cabana near the beach, and access under State Road A1A connecting the two sides of the property.
Philip Lyle Smith and Carla Ferreira-Smith of Luxury Resort Portfolio represented the seller in the deal, while Margit Brandt of Premier Estate Properties worked with the buyer.
In 2024, a company led by MacNeil paid $38 million for the oceanfront estate at 1120 S. Ocean Blvd. Then in 2025, his company paid $55.5 million for the neighboring home at 1140 S. Ocean Blvd. He has since demolished both homes and started building a larger estate.
***
Robert G. Fessler, chairman of aviation firm Magellan Group, sold his 9,614-square-foot homesteaded Manalapan residence at 880 S. Ocean Blvd. for $31.5 million. The buyer is MCBXVII LLC, a company led by John Barry and Daria Barry, chairman/CEO and head of administration, respectively, of New York-based Prospect Capital Corp.
The six-bedroom coquina-clad contemporary residence, built in 1988 and expanded in 2004, sits on a 1.6-acre lot with 150 feet of frontage on both the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Fessler bought the property for $5.2 million in 2000. Pascal Liguori Estate Group at Premier Estate Properties brokered the transaction.
***
Biotech executive Robert J. Edwards Jr. and his wife, Kristine M. Edwards, sold their estate at 336 E. Key Palm Road in Boca Raton’s Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club for $17.25 million. The new owner is Candace Voorhees Clark.
The home last traded for $8.75 million in 2014. The 9,192-square-foot, six-bedroom residence is on a 0.55-acre lot along a canal leading to the Intracoastal. David W. Roberts of Royal Palm Properties represented the sellers in the deal, while Louise Buehler of Douglas Elliman worked with the buyer. Robert “Bob” Edwards is the CEO of e5 Pharma in Boca Raton and, with Kristine, owns e5 Racing Thoroughbreds.
***
Rex Grossman, a former quarterback for the Chicago Bears and Florida Gators, and his wife, Alison, sold their 4,087-square-foot home on the Intracoastal at 715 SE Eighth St., Delray Beach, for $7.55 million. The buyer is a trust in the name of Michael Manning. Chris Scoppettone of Douglas Elliman and Derek Barra of Coldwell Banker represented both sides in the deal. The Grossmans bought the home for $2.7 million in 2013.
Grossman was a first-team All-America quarterback for the Florida Gators in 2001 and won SEC Player of the Year. He was second in Heisman Trophy balloting in 2001. He’s a member of the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame.
Grossman was a first-round draft pick by the Bears in 2003. In the 2006 season, he led the Bears to Super Bowl XLI, where they lost to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. After Chicago he had stints with the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins before retiring in 2015.
Grossman and his wife also founded Florida Medical Staffing, a Delray Beach-based nurse staffing company.
***
Craig Zinn, president and CEO of Craig Zinn Automotive Group, was named the 2025 Business Leader of the Year by Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business at its 31st annual breakfast ceremony in January at Boca West Country Club. Zinn bought his first dealership in 1980 after working in every department. His group operates dealerships in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
His philanthropic gifts include $2 million to Cleveland Clinic for the Cleveland Clinic Craig M. Zinn Concierge Medicine Suite in Weston and a $2 million gift to establish the Craig M. Zinn Distinguished Chair in Men’s Health. He also supports Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Florida and the American Cancer Society.
***
Boynton Beach City Manager Dan Dugger received an honorary lifetime membership to the Boynton Beach Chamber of Industry & Commerce Government & Community Council.
This distinction recognized the city’s leadership and commitment to building partnerships that support local businesses, encourage investment and strengthen the city’s economy.
***
American Heritage Schools recently hosted a dedication ceremony for the naming of the tennis courts at its Delray Beach campus after tennis coach Brian Schleifer. Schleifer has worked with athletes at the schools since 1996, where he has also served as athletic director, bus driver, lunch server, PE teacher, summer camp counselor and coach, and director of the tennis program. He also coached girls’ softball, boys’ flag football, and boys’ and girls’ basketball.
Under his direction, the tennis program has won 43 boys’ and girls’ combined district titles, 22 state championships and the boys’ national title in 2023.
***
Lang Realty announced its 2025 Top Producer Award recipients. The highest-producing individual agents are Tripta Chawla and Shereen Randazza. Elisa Danielian, Ingrid Hewitt and Isabelle Pollock; Jim Pappas, Paul Bidva and Suzanne Block; and Amy Snook and Noreen Payne are the Diamond Star Award Team winners. Bruce Gaines, Ryan Greenblatt, Sheldon Jaffee, Ana Londono, Blake Morris, Jeannine Morris and Allyson Sullivan are the Diamond Award Individual winners.
Brian Bahn and Lisa Hindin; Morgan Sheres and Samantha Bender; and Steve Rosen, Robin Rosen and Erica Lipman are the Diamond Award Team winners.
***
Toby Douthwright was named the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ new chief financial officer, following the retirement of Kyle Roberts.
Douthwright previously served as vice president for finance and chief financial officer at The Miami Foundation. His background also includes leadership roles at The Lord’s Place in Palm Beach County and at the Clinton Foundation.
***
Boca Raton City Council member Yvette Drucker was appointed to the National League of Cities 2026 Transportation and Infrastructure Services Federal Advocacy Committee for a one-year term. She will help guide the league’s federal advocacy priorities on local transportation programs including roads, safety, transit, rail and bridges.
***
The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority’s Savor the Avenue will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 23, spanning five blocks downtown.
Now in its 17th year, Savor the Avenue offers a four-course meal prepared and served by area restaurants.
Participating establishments include Avalon Beach House, Beach Club, Brulé/Rose’s Daughter, Campi, City Oyster, Elisabetta’s, Gabriella’s, Geronimo, Le Colonial, Lemongrass, Lulu’s, Rocco’s Tacos, Table 165, The Office, and Vic & Angelo’s. To make reservations, visit downtowndelraybeach.com/savortheave. Prices vary and are set by the restaurant.
Seating is limited, and each restaurant manages its own reservations and payment.
Each participating restaurant will make a $500 donation to the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, this year’s designated charity. More than $85,000 has been donated to local charities since Savor the Avenue began.
***
The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County’s annual Gala Luncheon will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 11.
Speaker will be Dianna Wynn, the president of the League of Women Voters of the United States. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased online at LWVPBC.org or by calling 561-276-4898.
***
The Greater Lantana Chamber of Commerce’s 31st annual KDW (kingfish, dolphin, wahoo) Lantana Fishing Derby, to be held on June 6, has begun registration. To register visit lantanachamber.com/lantana-fishing-derby/.
Early registration costs $250 through May 23; standard registration is $350 after that date.
***
Space of Mind, a coaching company, and its nonprofit Community Classroom Project have introduced a new residential program, Launch Pad, in Delray Beach. The program, for adults age 18-26, aims to help them obtain training in essential skills through workforce training, life coaching, life skills development, community building and parent coaching. For more information, visit findspaceofmind.com or call 877-407-1122.
***
Construction of The Sanborn, a 44,000-square-foot, eight-story private members club, is officially underway at 100 NE First Ave., Boca Raton, with completion expected in April 2028. The project is led by general partner Steven Newman and developer Scott Kerner, with investor backing.
Designed by HDA Architects Boca Raton, it will offer members-only amenities that include a restaurant, supper club, rooftop pool deck with a bar and grill, speakeasy, library, private dining rooms, wellness spa, fitness club, eight guest rooms and a card room.
***
The Delray Beach Housing Authority hosted a meet-and-greet with Delray Beach Chief of Police Darrell Hunter and his executive team to strengthen collaboration and communication. They discussed the Housing Authority’s operations and how the police can support its mission and improve resident safety.
***
The nonprofit Institute for Regional Conservation held an ecological restoration event at Red Reef Park in Boca Raton on Jan. 24. More than 50 volunteers participated. Another was held Feb. 7 at Atlantic Dunes Park in Delray Beach.
More events are planned. The Institute, with the city of Boca Raton’s Office of Sustainability and volunteers, will install native plants on the beach dunes along Red Reef Park and
South Beach Park through September. To volunteer, contact Liz Dutra at ldutra@regionalconservation.org, or visit the Institute’s website regionalconservation.org and click on the events tab for info about upcoming events.
Christine Davis writes business news and can be reached at cdavis9797@gmail.com.
Comments