Annual Walking Tour: The Reef

Annual Walking Tour

April 8, 2022 6pm to 8pm

The Reef

Thank you The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach wishes to thank The Reef Board members who organized this Walking Tour for the Preservation Foundation to highlight Palm Beach’s midcentury architecture.

A note of appreciation is extended to the homeowners who have graciously opened their homes for the tour.

The Reef A Landmark Address 2275 South Ocean Boulevard Palm Beach, Florida Date of Construction 1972-1974 Original Owner Palm Beach Reef Development Company Architect Clifford Eugene ‘Gene’ Lawerence

Architect Gene Lawrence surveying the construction of The Reef.

About The Reef Condominium was designed in the Modern architectural style by prominent Palm Beach architect Eugene Lawrence in 1972, and constructed from 1972 to 1974. The design and site plan take advantage of the location; along the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Phipps Ocean Park to the north, and Lake Worth to the east. Three buildings are designed in a U-shape around the central swimming pool that leads to the ocean, and the seven town houses across South Ocean Boulevard face west toward the Intracoastal Waterway.

Lawrence’s all white Modern design for The Reef’s oceanfront buildings is characterized by the play of vertical and horizontal elements. Modern sloping buttresses rise toward the sky and are traversed by cantilevered horizontal balconies. The buttresses taper as they rise and meet the roofline with subtle curves.

The Atrium Building features the main entrance, which is a large rectangular cantilevered overhang that is supported by rectangular posts. It shelters stairs that lead to the lobby, and circular planters are located on each side of the exterior stairs. A large opening with windows is centrally located on the west facade to provide light into the lobby. An outdoor atrium with plants and a reflecting pool graces the interior of the building.

The lower level of the three buildings feature pool cabanas, storage areas and garages. The condominium units are located on the upper three floors.

The sloping buttresses and cantilevered balconies reflect the gracefulness of Lawrence’s design.

Across South Ocean Boulevard are seven townhouses which feature views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Ibis Isle. Each townhouse features a garden to the west and carport to the east. The townhouse roofs are angled and feature clerestory windows to the east.

The Reef was the first building south of Sloan’s Curve to achieve the Town of Palm Beach Landmarks Preservation status. The Reef was constructed roughly halfway through the building boom on the south end of Palm Beach, when more than fifty condominiums were constructed in three decades. Even though codes at the time allowed five story residential structures, The Reef was designed and built as a three story structure. This smaller scale makes a more intimate living environment for the residents who call The Reef home.

The Reef’s location via the Palm Beach Property Appraiser

Example of one of the Townhouses on the west side of A1A.

Apartments open for view 205 North This feminine pied-a-terre is designed with furniture sourced from around the world, in neutral tones to showcase the art. Works are primarily emerging female artists, including a very large commissioned piece by Ashley Andrews in the dining space. Brooklyn based artist Wendy White and West Palm Beach born Rachel Rossin are also represented in the collection, with Rossin’s unique hologram art in the entrance. A pink heard sculpture by Adam Parker Smith welcomes visitors to the terrace. The owner has her own pantone pink color and it is provides pops of color throughout the space, which compliments the art.

The unit was completely renovated several years ago, and the 80 foot wraparound terrace extends the living space outdoors. The terrace includes several different seating areas, with the north side benefiting from the greenery of Phipps Ocean Park. This 18 acre park will soon receive a major renovation thanks to the work of the Preservation Foundation.

204 Atrium This eclectic oasis contains art and period furnishings covering every decade from the 50’s to the present, from every corner of the world. The owner looked for pieces throughout North America, Europe, and southeast Asia. Her dedication to finding perfect pieces meant that she searched through some 3,000 bars before she selected the one that graces the foyer. It’s an Italian mid-century bar that came from Switzerland. Other items include a Tommy Parzinger armoire and a hanging track cabinet from the 1970s. Lighting fixtures include works by Lindsay Adelman.

The art collection includes a newly acquired Alexander Liberman steel sculpture from 1982 that showcases the views of the ocean, a Paul Jenkins painting entitled “Host of Leo” that provides color in the entrance, and two Richard Serra etchings evoke the ocean. A 1960s Pedro Friedeberg hand chair is both art and furniture, as are many of the other furnishings in this ocean and south facing unit.

104 North A ‘time capsule’ is how the noted designer/owner of this southwest facing condo describes his home. He left many of the original touches in place when he renovated in 2021, including the pecky cypress walls and terra cotta floors. The previous owner left behind some pieces which were incorporated into the new design, including a leaf motif floor lamp by Tommasso Barbi and a chrome Skyscraper lamp by Curtis Jeré. The look was completed with furnishing acquired through many trips to antique row along Dixie Highway.

A sectional was reupholstered in white and scattered through the corner apartment, with colorful accents coming from bright fabrics and works of art. These include six Sol Le Witt works that hang in the living space and bedroom. Colorful plates near the entrance were a wedding gift from the artist Sean Mellyn.

101/108 North Easy ocean living with the sensibility of a home and the convenience of a condo. That’s what appealed to the owners of this combined unit, which they remodeled in 2014 with the help of New York designer Stewart Silverman.

Every room invites the outdoors in, and the large entertainment area is often filled with family and friends. The open kitchen is designed to maximize the views, and a gentle blue is used throughout to reflect the ocean. The large wraparound lanai lives like a house on the ocean as it sweeps around to the pool.

The owners’ desire is to ensure it’s a happy place, and the art and furnishings reflect that. The large blue buddha on the side of the apartment was purchased at the last Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary Art Fair. Bright red doors reflect the owners’ interest in Feng Shui, a nod to the concept that red keeps the evil spirits out. One feature visitors won’t see is the red line that runs under the flooring around the perimeter of the apartment, based on the same principle.

Vintage image of The Reef from the ocean from Architect Gene Lawrence.

Pool Deck Pool Cabanas

Surrounding the Reef’s pool are the owner’s Pool Cabanas. Each cabana is decorated according to the owners taste. Enjoy viewing these cabanas as you walk around the pool deck and experience the ocean breeze.

About the Architect Gene Lawrence Clifford Eugene “Gene” Lawrence, Jr. was a talented, acclaimed and prolific Palm Beach architect with many premier residential and commercial buildings spanning the time period from the 1960s to 2013.

A native of North Florida, Gene Lawrence graduated cum laude from the University of Florida’s College of Architecture and Fine Arts in 1957 and then served in the Navy’s Civil Engineering Corps before coming to Palm Beach. After moving to Palm Beach he worked with various architectural and engineering firms in Florida before opening his private practice, The Lawrence Group Architects, in 1965 in an office at 205 Worth Avenue. He continued working in that building for 47 years until his retirement in 2013.

Thousands of condominium homes in Palm Beach are in buildings designed

by Lawrence. In addition to The Reef, his work includes the residential buildings at Sloan’s Curve, the Sun and Surf, L’Ermitage of Palm Beach, Parc Regent, Sutton Place, Ambassador South, The Cove, The Regency of Palm Beach, Il Lugano and the Bellaria. Lawrence’s firm also redesigned the Palm Beach Biltmore as part of the former hotel’s conversion into luxury condominiums.

The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach is dedicated to preserving the architectural and cultural heritage and the unique scenic quality of the Town of Palm Beach. Through advocacy initiatives, educational programs, architectural resources, and cultural events, the Foundation’s goal is to encourage the community to learn about and save the historic sites that truly make Palm Beach special.

Over the past 40 years, the Preservation Foundation has undertaken numerous projects throughout the island that protect the heritage and enhance the beauty of Palm Beach.

Millions of dollars have been raised to restore historic resources like Sea Gull Cottage, Town Hall, and Bradley Park. Projects such as Pan’s Garden have fostered a deeper appreciation for the island’s botanical heritage. Along with special exhibitions and publications that advance scholarship in the history of Palm Beach, the Preservation Foundation offers educational programs that serve 6,000 students annually.

561.832.0731 | www.palmbeachpreservation.org