Ten years ago, if you asked someone about Pompano Beach, Florida, they might’ve shrugged and said, “Isn’t that just a quiet retirement town?”
Fast forward to today, and that once-sleepy seaside community has turned into one of South Florida’s fastest-growing luxury destinations—buzzing with new development, swanky residences, and upscale dining.
What sparked the transformation? Surprisingly, the opening of a Whole Foods was one of the earliest signs that Pompano Beach was about to get a serious glow-up.
How a Grocery Store Predicted a Property Boom
Local realtor and longtime resident Roxanne Hall says she noticed the tide turning when Whole Foods first opened in the area over a decade ago.
“They do their research,” she said. “When they show up, you know something’s about to change.”
And she was right. Slowly at first, then rapidly after the pandemic, homebuyers from across North America began flocking to the area.
Between 2000 and 2023, Pompano Beach’s population surged from 70,000 to over 113,000.
But it wasn’t just retirees moving in anymore—the demographic started to skew younger, livelier, and wealthier.
What’s a Branded Residence and Why Are They Everywhere?
One of the biggest signs of Pompano’s luxury evolution? The arrival of branded residences.
These are high-end homes attached to well-known hotel chains like the W Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, and Waldorf Astoria.
They combine upscale design, beachfront locations, and five-star hotel amenities—all wrapped up in a polished, recognizable brand.
Isaac Toledano, founder of the BH Group, was one of the first developers to believe in Pompano’s potential.
“Ten years ago, if you told someone there’d be branded residences here, they would’ve laughed,” he said.
But today, he’s behind the W Pompano Beach Hotel and Residences, which has become one of the city’s standout landmarks.
When South Florida Got Too Packed, Buyers Looked North
With Miami and Fort Lauderdale becoming more congested and far pricier, Pompano Beach suddenly looked like the next smart bet.
It’s only about an hour north of Miami and just 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale, but with far more space to breathe—and build.
“To us, it was the obvious move,” said Toledano. “The city is investing in itself, updating infrastructure, and supporting new development.”
Buyers Are Getting More for Less in Pompano Beach
Real estate agents say one of the biggest attractions is the pricing.
In Miami, luxury developments can cost up to $2,000 per square foot.
In Pompano? You’re looking at around $1,200 to $1,500, and often for properties closer to the water with better views.
Hall noted that the price point is what first drew in buyers.
“If you go south, it’s much more expensive and way more crowded.
Pompano gave people more value and space.”
Pandemic Property Frenzy Sent Prices and Emotions Soaring
During the pandemic, Hall said the market exploded. “It was honestly a nightmare,” she admitted.
“People were overbidding, crying, and we couldn’t find enough homes.
Everything was selling fast and for a lot more money.”
While that frenzied pace has cooled somewhat, demand remains high—especially for newer condos that offer amenities like pools, fitness centers, and easy beach access.
Luxury, Convenience, and That Five-Star Feeling
Branded residences offer buyers more than just a place to live.
“You’re not just buying a home,” Toledano explained.
“You’re buying into a brand—and everything that comes with it.”
Think sprawling pool decks, high-end dining, fitness studios, and 24/7 concierge service.
Buyers love the convenience and the polish of these developments.
“You don’t have to worry about repairs, there are no surprise assessments—it’s all taken care of,” said Hall.
And because the buildings are new, they avoid the structural inspection issues plaguing older condos in places like Miami.
Surfside Collapse Changed How People Buy Condos
After the tragic Surfside condo collapse in 2021, Florida passed new laws requiring structural inspections and higher financial reserves for older condo buildings.
That’s made older properties more expensive and riskier to own.
“Now, buyers are steering clear of anything over 40 years old,” said Hall.
“They want something newer—ideally 10 years old or less.
And those are in short supply.”
It’s Not Just for Retirees Anymore
Once known as a haven for retirees, Pompano Beach is becoming more age-diverse.
Hall describes a scene where 20- and 30-somethings are now sitting side-by-side with Boomers at the local restaurants.
“It’s a real mix now,” she said. “We’ve got younger people moving here permanently or buying vacation homes.
It’s not just snowbirds anymore.”
The City Itself Is Investing Billions in the Future
The local government isn’t just watching from the sidelines—it’s spending big.
Over $2 billion has gone into beautifying the city: new green spaces, renovated piers, better shopping, dining, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Even longtime locals like Hall are embracing the changes.
“We’ve got three miles of beautiful sandy beaches, 18 dive wrecks, and a gorgeous pier with restaurants.
It’s a boating town. It’s a beach town. It’s a town that’s finally being seen.”
Pompano Beach Is No Longer Just a Hidden Gem
What was once an overlooked pocket of Florida is now booming with opportunity, luxury, and livability.
With big-name brands, big investments, and a growing community of diverse residents, Pompano Beach has officially arrived.
And if the rising prices, the glitzy developments, and the crowd of new residents are any indication—it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Ten years ago, if you asked someone about Pompano Beach, Florida, they might’ve shrugged and said, “Isn’t that just a quiet retirement town?”
Fast forward to today, and that once-sleepy seaside community has turned into one of South Florida’s fastest-growing luxury destinations—buzzing with new development, swanky residences, and upscale dining.
What sparked the transformation? Surprisingly, the opening of a Whole Foods was one of the earliest signs that Pompano Beach was about to get a serious glow-up.
How a Grocery Store Predicted a Property Boom
Local realtor and longtime resident Roxanne Hall says she noticed the tide turning when Whole Foods first opened in the area over a decade ago.
“They do their research,” she said. “When they show up, you know something’s about to change.”
And she was right. Slowly at first, then rapidly after the pandemic, homebuyers from across North America began flocking to the area.
Between 2000 and 2023, Pompano Beach’s population surged from 70,000 to over 113,000.
But it wasn’t just retirees moving in anymore—the demographic started to skew younger, livelier, and wealthier.
What’s a Branded Residence and Why Are They Everywhere?
One of the biggest signs of Pompano’s luxury evolution? The arrival of branded residences.
These are high-end homes attached to well-known hotel chains like the W Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, and Waldorf Astoria.
They combine upscale design, beachfront locations, and five-star hotel amenities—all wrapped up in a polished, recognizable brand.
Isaac Toledano, founder of the BH Group, was one of the first developers to believe in Pompano’s potential.
“Ten years ago, if you told someone there’d be branded residences here, they would’ve laughed,” he said.
But today, he’s behind the W Pompano Beach Hotel and Residences, which has become one of the city’s standout landmarks.
When South Florida Got Too Packed, Buyers Looked North
With Miami and Fort Lauderdale becoming more congested and far pricier, Pompano Beach suddenly looked like the next smart bet.
It’s only about an hour north of Miami and just 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale, but with far more space to breathe—and build.
“To us, it was the obvious move,” said Toledano. “The city is investing in itself, updating infrastructure, and supporting new development.”
Buyers Are Getting More for Less in Pompano Beach
Real estate agents say one of the biggest attractions is the pricing.
In Miami, luxury developments can cost up to $2,000 per square foot.
In Pompano? You’re looking at around $1,200 to $1,500, and often for properties closer to the water with better views.
Hall noted that the price point is what first drew in buyers.
“If you go south, it’s much more expensive and way more crowded.
Pompano gave people more value and space.”
Pandemic Property Frenzy Sent Prices and Emotions Soaring
During the pandemic, Hall said the market exploded. “It was honestly a nightmare,” she admitted.
“People were overbidding, crying, and we couldn’t find enough homes.
Everything was selling fast and for a lot more money.”
While that frenzied pace has cooled somewhat, demand remains high—especially for newer condos that offer amenities like pools, fitness centers, and easy beach access.
Luxury, Convenience, and That Five-Star Feeling
Branded residences offer buyers more than just a place to live.
“You’re not just buying a home,” Toledano explained.
“You’re buying into a brand—and everything that comes with it.”
Think sprawling pool decks, high-end dining, fitness studios, and 24/7 concierge service.
Buyers love the convenience and the polish of these developments.
“You don’t have to worry about repairs, there are no surprise assessments—it’s all taken care of,” said Hall.
And because the buildings are new, they avoid the structural inspection issues plaguing older condos in places like Miami.
Surfside Collapse Changed How People Buy Condos
After the tragic Surfside condo collapse in 2021, Florida passed new laws requiring structural inspections and higher financial reserves for older condo buildings.
That’s made older properties more expensive and riskier to own.
“Now, buyers are steering clear of anything over 40 years old,” said Hall.
“They want something newer—ideally 10 years old or less.
And those are in short supply.”
It’s Not Just for Retirees Anymore
Once known as a haven for retirees, Pompano Beach is becoming more age-diverse.
Hall describes a scene where 20- and 30-somethings are now sitting side-by-side with Boomers at the local restaurants.
“It’s a real mix now,” she said. “We’ve got younger people moving here permanently or buying vacation homes. It’s not just snowbirds anymore.”
The City Itself Is Investing Billions in the Future
The local government isn’t just watching from the sidelines—it’s spending big.
Over $2 billion has gone into beautifying the city: new green spaces, renovated piers, better shopping, dining, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Even longtime locals like Hall are embracing the changes.
“We’ve got three miles of beautiful sandy beaches, 18 dive wrecks, and a gorgeous pier with restaurants.
It’s a boating town. It’s a beach town. It’s a town that’s finally being seen.”
Pompano Beach Is No Longer Just a Hidden Gem
What was once an overlooked pocket of Florida is now booming with opportunity, luxury, and livability.
With big-name brands, big investments, and a growing community of diverse residents, Pompano Beach has officially arrived.
And if the rising prices, the glitzy developments, and the crowd of new residents are any indication—it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
