White Elephant Palm Beach

The White Elephant Palm Beach opened in 1924 as the Bradley Park Hotel, which was a prestige destination in the roaring 1920s for aristocrats and the newly rich alike. The hotel was designated a historic landmark in 1980, so its restoration needed to satisfy the historic criteria of Florida’s Palm Beach Landmarks Preservation Commission as well as the National Park Service, both of which have purview over the property. Designers avoided the temptation to replicate the old hotel, instead celebrating its history while introducing a new aesthetic to Palm Beach. Owned by New England Development, the 32-key hotel reopened in 2020 with 13 rooms and 19 spacious suites. Effortlessly refined, the reimagined property is residential in scale and feel, with inviting indoor and outdoor environments that are true to its heritage while contemporary in feel. The hotel’s center courtyard forms the social and architectural center of the property. The courtyard was enlarged to extend beyond its original footprint with a new outdoor pool located at the front of the hotel. Elements introduced by designers include a new stucco finish and soft-white paint color that creates modern contrast with the black trim. Historic railings and balconies were preserved and strengthened to today’s building codes. True to its Mediterranean roots, the building’s façade and arches are heavily draped in bougainvillea and a manicured hedge—a Palm Beach signature—is placed along the street front for both privacy and local context. From the gracious lobby areas to each spacious suite, rich finishes and distinctive textural patterns are layered against a palette of soft neutrals. A museum-quality collection of original art adds energy and authenticity to the guest experience. Artists like Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, Jennifer Bartlett, Joel Shapiro, and Christopher Le Brun can be found everywhere, even in corridors and guest bathrooms. Sprinkled throughout the hotel are one-of-a kind custom design details and furniture pieces that add a sense of playfulness while supporting the high-level service promise. The resulting laid-back, easy style lovingly honors its historic setting while introducing a new design voice suited for today’s sophisticated global guest.