Testa Family Project Information:

The municipal government of Palm Beach is unique in that it governs utilizing “town-serving” principles. In other words, commercial businesses are deemed important in the Town of Palm Beach because they are vital to have available for Town residents. Any “chains” or widely branded businesses must go through a “special exception” process with the Town. This balanced approach has been the cornerstone of the Town’s early success and world-wide reputation that draws residents and visitors alike to Palm Beach. Today, many pioneer businesses are gone that were operated by multi-generational families during the 1900s – but Testa’s is one of a small number remaining. 

The Testa family’s history in Palm Beach began in 1921, nearly a century ago. The family’s roots were established when it opened one of the first businesses on “main street” – a soda fountain.

Today, the Royal Poinciana Way block (and several nearby) are pockets of inconsistent zoning and a small sea of surface parking lots. Previous residences and businesses that once brought considerable foot traffic onto "main street" have been torn down.

What Happened?

Amid national economic challenges and world wars, a 1929 plan for this village area was never realized. It was a plan developed by citizens and even adopted by the Town Council. The original vision – small garden areas, open seating for refuge and enjoyment, and fountains up and down the street – gave way to iterations of high-density approvals and tear-downs. Several changes to the zoning ordinance over the past 80 years has produced a variety of building hieghts and densities. Most cities and towns across America have redoubled their efforts to address and fix this common challenge, in order to stay economically competitive and produce a “sense of place” for their important community gathering areas.

The Testa parcel today includes a large restaurant in dire need of  aesthetic and code upgrades and updating. The parcel also includes a small alcove of shops constructed in the 1950's, a shuttered gas station and convenience store.

Everyone agrees there is a “sleepy effect” that has taken hold in the Royal Poinciana Way district. This is fiscally evidenced by less and less foot traffic combined with business losses and tenant turnover. The Town has encouraged ideas and input about revitalizing this area – it even hired a special consultant some years back.

The current inconsistent treatment of buildings and densities in this commercial area does not encourage capital improvements. Thus, the degradation of buildings is clearly evident in recent decades, coupled with a lack of significant maintenance or improvement projects on this and surrounding blocks.

What Can Be Done?

The Testa family put forward a plan in 2006 that would return a vibrant neighborhood feel to the area and drive up pedestrian traffic, seeking the long-term economic viability of the entire area. They have been encouraged by the community support to continue forward to pursue a project that will help the district. Town leaders and stakeholders spent much of the past two years revisiting plans and making a long series of adjustments. The Testa family’s plan now incorporates all of that feedback and the result is now filed with the Town. The project also includes several costly but important recommendations received at the “Art of the Town” series, which highlighted successful village-style, quality-of-life community design.

The plan features connectivity between properties in the area – a hallmark of successful, sustainable “village” projects. Essentially, the revised plan includes many of the features in the 1929 Garden Club of Palm Beach plan that are today found throughout the island – but not found along Royal Poinciana Way: the use of colonnades, display windows, fountains, public areas and open seating.

Royal Palm Way is one of two main gateways into Palm Beach … and it is informally referred to as “Banker’s Row,” a long stretch of tall concrete buildings housing financial headquarters and corporate offices. It is time for Palm Beach’s other gateway – Royal Poinciana Way – to be as viable and attractive as it once was, as “main street.”