The New Boardroom: Mastering the "Third Place" Economy in South Florida

By Drew Saporito | Broker Associate

In the old paradigm of business, power was concentrated in corner offices and downtown skyscrapers. If you wanted proximity to the deal flow, you needed physical proximity to the headquarters.

Welcome to 2026 in South Florida. The paradigm has shifted.

As the financial titans of "Wall Street South" establish themselves in West Palm Beach, and their executives curate their sanctuaries in Jupiter, a new question emerges: Where does the actual business happen?

It’s no longer happening under fluorescent lights. It’s happening in the "Third Place."

Defining the "Third Place" Economy

Sociologists define the "First Place" as your home and the "Second Place" as your work. The "Third Place" is where community is built—the cafe, the pub, the park.

But in the high-frequency environment of the Palm Beaches, the Third Place has been elevated into an economic necessity. It is the private club, the deep-water marina, the apex golf course. These are not just venues for leisure; they are curated ecosystems of influence.

For the newly arrived executive or investor, gaining access to the right Third Place is faster than building a decade of local relationships from scratch. Your membership is your accelerator.

The Urban Catalyst: West Palm's New Vision

We are seeing this trend manifest powerfully in downtown West Palm Beach. The recent announcement of Stephen Ross’s ultra-exclusive waterfront private club near One Flagler is proof of concept.

This isn’t just another amenity. It’s a calculated piece of infrastructure designed for the new guard of global capital. It creates a vortex where the individuals driving the city’s growth can collide, connect, and collaborate away from the public eye. It is the new town square for the 1%.

The Jupiter Counterpart: Fairways and Waterways

If West Palm Beach is the urban hub of connection, Jupiter is where the connection deepens.

When the titans of industry drive north to their homes, their Third Places shift from glass towers to nature-immersive experiences. In Jupiter, the new boardroom looks like this:

1. The Apex Golf Communities Places like The Bear’s Club in Jupiter are not merely about playing 18 holes. They are about who you are playing with. Four hours on the course provides a level of vetting and rapport-building that a hundred Zoom calls could never replicate. The membership roster here reads like a Who's Who of global business, sports, and finance.

2. The Marina as a Meeting Space In neighborhoods like Admirals Cove, the marina is the social nervous system. Business is discussed casually on the aft deck of a Viking before a weekend run to the Bahamas. The shared passion for the water creates an instant bond, turning neighbors into potential partners.

Access is the New Currency

In this market, real estate and lifestyle are inextricable. You aren't just buying a home; you are buying into a proximity to these powerful Third Places.

The value of an estate in Jupiter isn't just in its square footage; it's in its ability to grant you access to the networks that matter. When we evaluate a property, we must ask: Does this home facilitate the connections that will expand your life and your portfolio?

The deal flow is out there. It’s just not in the office. It’s waiting for you at the club.

Are you positioned where the real conversations are happening? Let’s align your real estate strategy with your networking goals.

Expand your circle. Elevate your life.

Drew Saporito Broker Associate Jupiter | West Palm Beach