CityPlace West Palm Beach: Complete Neighborhood Guide

CityPlace West Palm Beach is the 72-acre mixed-use development at 700 S Rosemary Ave that transformed downtown West Palm Beach when it opened in 2000. Many residents and realtors still call it CityPlace. The official name has changed twice since then. The development was rebranded Rosemary Square in 2019, then renamed again to The Square in 2022 following confusion and community pushback. Whatever name you use, the destination is the same: the largest and most significant retail, dining, entertainment, and residential district in downtown West Palm Beach. If you are buying or renting near CityPlace, understanding this district is essential.

The Naming History: CityPlace, Rosemary Square, The Square

The original CityPlace name came from the project's launch in 2000. Related Companies, the major New York-based developer, acquired the property and rebranded it Rosemary Square in 2019. The rebrand was unpopular locally. Residents who had called it CityPlace for nearly two decades did not adapt easily to the new name. By 2022, Related Companies changed course and renamed it again to The Square.

In practice, all three names are still in use. Real estate listings, local media, and longtime residents frequently refer to CityPlace regardless of the official branding. Realtors in West Palm Beach use all three interchangeably. When a listing says "walking distance to CityPlace" or "steps from The Square," it refers to the same 72-acre development. If you encounter any of the three names in your search, they point to the same location.

What CityPlace Actually Is

CityPlace is a Mediterranean-inspired urban mixed-use district covering 72 acres in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Architect Jeremiah Eck designed the project. The original vision was a walkable urban neighborhood with retail, dining, entertainment, residential, and hotel uses integrated into a pedestrian-friendly street grid.

The retail component includes approximately 80-plus shops and restaurants. Publix GreenWise Market serves the residential population. Macy's anchors one end. Sur La Table and other specialty retailers fill the street-level spaces. The AMC CityPlace 20 movie theater is one of the largest in the area. The Harriet Himmel Theater provides a dedicated venue for performances and private events.

Outdoor plazas, fountains, and green space run through the development. The outdoor areas host public events throughout the year including concerts, festivals, and seasonal programming. The design prioritizes pedestrian movement in a way that most Florida suburban developments do not. This walkability is a meaningful differentiator for the buyers and renters who choose properties within or adjacent to the district.

Restaurants and Dining at CityPlace

CityPlace has a diverse dining mix running from casual lunch spots to full-service dinner restaurants. The restaurant lineup has evolved since the original 2000 opening, with turnover reflecting both COVID impacts and the broader restaurant market. As of 2026, the dining options within the district cover most meal types and price points.

The Publix GreenWise anchors daily grocery needs for residential units nearby. For residents who want to cook at home, having a high-quality grocery store within walking distance is a practical advantage. Downtown West Palm Beach lacks grocery options in many blocks, making CityPlace's Publix a meaningful amenity for the surrounding condo buildings.

Clematis Street, four blocks north, complements CityPlace with a different character. Clematis is more nightlife and bar-oriented. CityPlace runs more family and dining focused. Together they serve the full range of downtown lifestyle needs.

Residential Properties Near CityPlace

Multiple condominium towers sit within or directly adjacent to CityPlace. Plaza at the Square is the most directly integrated, with condos above the retail district. Units there range from approximately $400,000 to $1.5 million depending on size and floor.

The Edge, at 300 S Australian Ave, is five minutes on foot from CityPlace. It is the newest luxury condo tower in downtown WPB, completed in 2021, with prices from $400,000 to over $2 million. Several other condo buildings in the downtown WPB grid fall within a 10-minute walk of CityPlace including properties along Okeechobee Boulevard and Quadrille Boulevard.

For buyers seeking urban walkability, the blocks surrounding CityPlace represent the most walkable micro-market in Palm Beach County. You can get groceries, go to a movie, have dinner, and reach the Brightline station without getting in a car. That level of walkability is rare in South Florida and drives real premium pricing for nearby properties. Learn more about downtown West Palm Beach through the City of West Palm Beach website.

CityPlace and the Brightline Effect

The West Palm Beach Brightline station sits approximately five minutes on foot from CityPlace. That connection fundamentally changed the calculus for buyers evaluating downtown WPB. Before Brightline, the case for downtown WPB rested on local amenities and the Palm Beach County employment market. After Brightline, the case expanded to include the entire South Florida corridor.

Miami is 90 minutes on Brightline from West Palm Beach. Fort Lauderdale is 40 minutes. For professionals who need to be in Miami or Fort Lauderdale regularly but prefer to live in West Palm Beach, Brightline makes the commute practical. Buyers who would never have considered West Palm Beach as a primary residence five years ago now see it as a legitimate option precisely because of this rail connection.

The Brightline Orlando extension means West Palm Beach residents can also reach Orlando in approximately three hours without driving I-95 or the Turnpike. Disney, Universal, and Orlando's airport are all Brightline-accessible from CityPlace's back yard. That may seem like a minor benefit, but for families who travel to Orlando or professionals who fly through MCO, it adds real utility to the address.

Who Lives Near CityPlace

The residential population near CityPlace reflects the district's urban character. Young professionals working in West Palm Beach's financial services, healthcare, and government sectors are the core demographic. Remote workers who prioritize walkability over suburban space are a growing segment. Downsizers from Palm Beach County suburbs who want to trade yard maintenance for urban amenities have also been drawn to the area.

Buyers from the Northeast who want a Florida urban lifestyle rather than a golf community or beachfront condo represent another significant buyer type. New York and New Jersey buyers accustomed to urban living find downtown WPB near CityPlace is the closest thing to that lifestyle available in Palm Beach County. The scale is smaller, but the walkability, dining, and cultural amenities are present in a way that Jupiter or Boynton Beach simply cannot match.

First, these buyers typically value proximity to the Norton Museum of Art, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, and the waterfront promenade on Flagler Drive. All three are within easy reach from CityPlace. In addition, Palm Beach Island is five minutes by car across the bridge. Worth Avenue shopping and Palm Beach's beaches are accessible quickly without paying Palm Beach Island prices.

Real Estate Prices Near CityPlace in 2026

Properties within a 10-minute walk of CityPlace command a premium over comparable downtown WPB properties farther out. The premium is driven by the walkability score and the lifestyle access the location provides. Studio condos in the adjacent blocks start around $300,000. One-bedroom units run $400,000 to $650,000. Two-bedroom units range widely from $550,000 to $1.5 million depending on building, floor, and view.

Single-family homes do not exist directly in the CityPlace district, but the historic neighborhoods of El Cid and Grandview Heights are 10 to 15 minutes by car and offer single-family homes in the $600,000 to $2 million range. Northwood Village, WPB's arts district, is similarly priced and gentrifying steadily.

Rental demand near CityPlace is strong. One-bedroom units in buildings directly adjacent typically command $1,800 to $2,800 per month. Two-bedroom units rent for $2,500 to $4,000 per month depending on building quality and specific location. Vacancy rates for well-maintained units have been low because the rental demand consistently exceeds available supply in this micro-market.

2023-2026 Improvements at CityPlace

Related Companies has invested in the district since the 2022 rebrand to The Square. Restaurant recruitment has been ongoing. Outdoor programming has expanded. Physical improvements to the plazas and common areas have been implemented in phases.

The surrounding blocks have also seen development activity. New mixed-use projects have been approved and are in various stages of construction or planning. Downtown West Palm Beach in 2026 looks meaningfully different from downtown WPB in 2019. The transformation accelerated during and after COVID as remote workers and corporate relocations brought new residents and investment into the area.

However, not every storefront in CityPlace is filled. Retail vacancies have persisted in certain sections, reflecting the broader national trend of retail consolidation. The dining and entertainment components have fared better than the traditional retail. Future leasing will likely skew toward experiential tenants and food and beverage rather than apparel and general retail.

CityPlace vs. Clematis Street

Clematis Street runs four blocks north of CityPlace and represents downtown WPB's other major commercial corridor. The two strips serve different functions. Clematis is bar and nightlife focused with a more bohemian character and lower price points. CityPlace is retail, family dining, and entertainment focused with a more polished character and higher price points.

For buyers and renters evaluating specific blocks in downtown WPB, the distinction matters. Properties along Clematis attract a younger, nightlife-oriented renter. Properties near CityPlace attract buyers and renters who want grocery access, family dining, and the movie theater. Neither is objectively better. The right answer depends on the lifestyle the buyer or renter is seeking.

Buying Near CityPlace With Pure Equity Realty

Pure Equity Realty represents buyers and sellers throughout downtown West Palm Beach, including all properties near CityPlace, The Square, and the Brightline corridor. Our 1 percent listing fee saves sellers meaningful money. On a $700,000 condo sale, the difference between our fee and a traditional 3 percent listing commission is $14,000. On a $1.2 million unit, the savings are $24,000.

For buyers, we provide full buyer representation at no cost to you. Browse current listings across Florida at our Florida homes directory. Call us at (561) 835-5400 to discuss specific properties near CityPlace or anywhere in Palm Beach County.

What to Know Before Buying Near CityPlace

First, understand the specific building you are buying into. The condo associations near CityPlace vary significantly in financial health, reserve levels, and management quality. Older buildings from the early 2000s may have deferred maintenance issues that newer buyers don't immediately see.

Also, noise is a factor on certain blocks. The entertainment district generates foot traffic and ambient noise, particularly on weekends. Units on lower floors facing the retail district will experience more street noise than upper floors or units facing away from the main plaza. Ask specifically about this before committing to a unit.

In addition, parking arrangements matter in an urban location. Many buildings have assigned parking garages, but some do not. If you own a car, confirm your parking situation before closing.

Finally, review the condo documents for any short-term rental restrictions. Some buildings near CityPlace permit Airbnb-style rentals. Others prohibit them entirely. If rental income is part of your purchase rationale, verify this before buying.

CityPlace, The Square, Rosemary Square, whatever you call it, remains the defining destination of downtown West Palm Beach real estate. The blocks around it have appreciated substantially since 2000 and continue to attract buyers who want an urban Florida lifestyle.

For personalized guidance on buying or selling in South Florida, contact the team at Pure Equity Realty. We serve Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, St. Lucie, and Highlands counties with expert representation and a 1% listing fee.