Discover the Rapid Growth of Florida’s Hidden Gem: The Enclave with Unmatched ‘Sizzle Factor

Just a short drive, about 20 minutes south of the renowned Mar-a-Lago in Florida, lies a thriving area where lavish multi-million-dollar homes are seemingly flying off the market. This flourishing enclave is none other than Manalapan, located in the heart of Palm Beach County.

Manalapan, with its small population of just 353 residents, has become a haven for the elite, counting among its inhabitants names like billionaire CEO Larry Ellison and Fox News personality Sean Hannity. Notably, music legend Billy Joel once owned property here, which he sold for a staggering $42.6 million in 2024.

The real estate landscape in Manalapan is striking, with the median home price standing at an impressive $2 million. The town’s per capita income is $231,730, which is significantly higher than the averages for the county, state, and nation, as reported by Census data.

According to real estate specialists speaking with the Daily Mail, Manalapan distinguishes itself as a unique Intracoastal town. It boasts expansive properties and a level of privacy not found on Palm Beach Island, making it particularly appealing to affluent buyers.

John Boyd, a principal at the Boyd Company, which provides location advisory services to clients in Manalapan, highlights the town’s distinctive allure. He describes it as possessing a “sizzle factor” that draws in a select, exclusive clientele eager to be part of this prestigious community.

‘It really kind of defies gravity. It applies to just a very specific type of buyer with respect to net worth, and people who value privacy,’ Boyd explained. 

He added that having the Palm Beach County zip code is a status symbol and one of the most ‘prestigious’ in the country. 

Manalapan, pictured, is a small exclusive town south of Palm Beach and Mar-a-Lago that has a zip code coveted by the world’s ultra-wealthy 

Manalapan, pictured, offers waterfront living. There are fewer than 400 residents, and homes average $2 million 

Palm Beach has earned the nickname of ‘Wall Street South’ in recent years for its booming business division and Manalapan has often been called ‘Palm Beach’s wealthy little sister.’

John Boyd told the Daily Mail that Palm Beach has become ‘Wall Street South’ due to a booming business industry 

Over 140 companies have relocated or opened offices in Palm Beach in the past five years, seeing more than 13,000 new jobs and over $1 billion in capital investments, according to the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. 

The county is the fourth-fastest-growing wealth hub in the world, with a staggering 112 percent increase in the number of millionaires over the past decade. 

High-profile names like Goldman Sachs and BlackRock have expanded into the area, driving real estate activity and motivating high-income earners to make Palm Beach County their primary residence rather than a second vacation home. 

Boyd said his clientele has expressed interest in relocating their businesses to Florida because of the business-friendly tax climate.

Industry opportunity in West Palm Beach has spilled over into neighboring cities like Manalapan. 

Nick Malinosky, a realtor with Douglas Elliman, called Manalapan’s evolution over the last few years ‘remarkable.’ 

‘What used to be a relatively quiet, under-the-radar pocket of Palm Beach County has turned into one of the most sought-after ultra-luxury enclaves in the country. The biggest shift we’ve seen is the caliber of buyer, it’s no longer just seasonal residents or second-home owners,’ he told the Daily Mail. 

The above home is a recent listing in Manalapan that sold for $15.5 million. The residence spanned just under two acres, with 150ft of oceanfront access between the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean 

The mansion pictured above was recently listed for $285 million in Manalapan, the highest-priced new build in the US  

‘We’re working with ultra-high-net-worth individuals who are very intentional about privacy, security, and scale, and Manalapan delivers on all three in a way that very few places can.’

Realtor Madison Collum told the Daily Mail that wealthy buyers can purchase larger lots in Manalapan in comparison to Palm Beach

Chad Carroll, president of the real estate firm, The Carroll Group, echoed a similar sentiment, telling the Daily Mail that listings in the area have skyrocketed within the last 10 years. 

He recalled selling a house in Manalapan a decade ago for around $28 million, adding that the listing is now worth over $60 million. 

Not only does Manalapan offer exclusivity and direct access to business innovation in West Palm Beach, but it is also uniquely situated for Intracoastal access. 

Real estate experts told the Daily Mail that wealthy buyers have access to larger waterfront compounds than in other towns in the county. 

Madison Collum, a realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty, said that $100 million might only buy half an acre to an acre on Palm Beach Island, whereas buyers can purchase a two-acre lot at the same price point in Manalapan. 

Collum recently sold a home on Ocean Blvd for $15.5 million. The residence spanned just under two acres, with 150ft of oceanfront access between the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean. 

The listing included seven bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a bar, a wine room, an additional guest house, a heated private pool, a gym, a private movie theatre, and a private dock.  

The mansion is four acres and 55,000sq ft and features a shooting range, bowling alley, car museum, golf simulator room, padel court, spa and gym

Malinosky, the realtor who sold the home pictured, told the Daily Mail that his clients are choosing Manalapan over Palm Beach because of the town’s lifestyle 

Manalapan offers wealthy buyers a level of privacy that Palm Beach does not have. The town is also on the Intracoastal Waterway 

Chad Carroll, pictured above, told the Daily Mail that listings in the area have skyrocketed within the last 10 years 

Malinosky also shared listing photos of his recent sale in Manalapan, which was the highest-priced new build in the US. 

The listing was recently on the market for $285 million, breaking the record for the area’s most expensive sale.

The listing on S Ocean Blvd is four acres and 55,000sq ft, featuring a shooting range, bowling alley, car museum, golf simulator room, padel court, spa and gym. Stewart Satter, the former mayor of Manalapan and developer, owned the property. 

Malinosky told the Daily Mail that his clients are choosing Manalapan over Palm Beach because of the town’s lifestyle. 

‘Palm Beach has always been about proximity, Worth Avenue, the social scene, the clubs. Manalapan is more about exclusivity and control,’ he explained.

‘You have these rare ocean-to-Intracoastal properties where buyers can create true compound-style living, often with private docks on one side and beach access on the other. 

‘That level of dual-water frontage is incredibly hard to replicate, and it’s become a major driver of demand.’ 

Unlike Manalapan’s neighbors in Palm Beach County, the town is primarily residential and is not buzzing with a lively social scene or full of bars and restaurants. 

Mansions in Manalapan offer ‘true compound-style’ living for the ultra-wealthy, like the mansion pictured above 

Manalapan is uniquely situated on the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, offering prime waterfront views 

The most significant obstacle to Manalapan’s growth is its limited inventory however empty lots of land like this one are selling for eye-watering prices. This lot sold for $105 million this month

Nick Malinosky told the Daily Mail that dual waterfront views are driving demand in Manalapan 

Collum noted that due to the caliber of residents’ wealth, most of them have house staff who will do their shopping and household chores. 

The most significant obstacle to Manalapan’s growth is the limited inventory. 

The town is only 2.4 square miles and there is limited empty lots.

However when space is available then it is worth a pretty penny. A vacant oceanfront space sold for a massive $105 million this month. 

Comprised of two adjacent lake-to-ocean lots at 1120 South Ocean Blvd with 342ft on the ocean it was bought by an anonymous buyer who reportedly intends to build a dream home on the land.