By Judy Carmack Bross
Julie Harron and Michelle Kubala posing at a beautiful home on the Lake Trail in Palm Beach
“South Florida is not just a destination—it’s a lifestyle. From Palm Beach to Miami, you find an unparalleled blend of sophistication, opportunity, and year-round sunshine, making it the perfect place to live, work, and play.”—Julie Harron
Julie Harron with Jessica Lagrange: Where Chicago meets Palm Beach! Fabulous parties on the North end of the Island for these Chicagoans
Dazzling Chicagoans Julie Harron and Michelle Kubala send the first of a monthly series of picture postcards from Palm Beach—and other South Florida locations to entice us to visit during a Chicago winter. We will learn the latest about what is going on as well as why it is such a great place to be entrepreneurs and non-profit supporters such as our correspondents. Not to mention exercise in the great outdoors.
Beautiful lake trail, perfect for a walk
Julie told us:
“Palm Beach exudes timeless elegance, with its pristine beaches, premier golf courses, exclusive clubs, and luxurious oceanfront estates, all complemented by a vibrant social scene and world-class dining. Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale offer a more relaxed, waterfront lifestyle with deep-sea yachting and an emerging arts district, while Miami pulses with international energy—boasting top-tier dining, vibrant nightlife, and a booming financial hub that’s attracting global investors.
Julie Harron, standing, Michelle Kubala and Laura Mitchell love Monday Trivia Night at the Colony Hotel
“Eataly is coming to CityPlace in West Palm Beach next year. West Palm Beach has been named the #1 trending destination in the U.S. for 2025. Palm House, Palm Beach’s first new hotel in over four years opened its doors. Milos to debut in West Palm Beach this month! Mary Lou’s opened up too – great cocktail bar. We love Harry’s in West Palm Beach.”
At Elizabeth Cole’s Salveo event for the Palm Beach Retreat
Harron attended a wellness retreat in Palm Beach led by Chicago innovator Elizabeth Cole, author of “Nurture and Thrive”, who founded Salveo in 2015. The Salveo Sisterhood emphases not only nutrition and exercise but how to best connect with ourselves and others.
Fabulous Farmers Market in West Palm Beach every Saturday morning
“As the season approaches, there’s no better place to be. Exclusive galas, polo matches, and Art Basel Miami Beach set the stage for a winter filled with luxury, culture, and connection. Whether you’re drawn to the historic charm of The Breakers, the lively energy of South Beach, or the serene beauty of the Everglades, South Florida offers something for everyone. Now more than ever, people are realizing that South Florida isn’t just a place to visit—it’s a place to thrive.
Don’t favor just one racquet sport outdoors, try pickleball, padel, and tennis.”
Julie Harron and Rebecca Besser cheering on the pickleball pros
APP Humana Tournament at the new The Fort facility in Fort Lauderdale
The FORT, located in Fort Lauderdale, offers year-round pickleball tournaments and events for professional and amateur pickleball players, celebrating and encouraging the fastest growing sport in the USA. Chicagoans Charlie and Rebecca Besser are the majority owners of the APP TOUR (The Association of Pickleball Players), which is the oldest and only sanctioned professional and amateur TOUR. The APP TOUR holds 16 elite professional/amateur tournaments around the USA. ESPN and CBS are the APP TOUR’s media partners. APP TOUR events typically draw between 1500 and 2000 players.
The FORT was created by Ft Lauderdale based developers, Brad Tuchman, Jeff Richman and Rich Campillo, who invited the APP TOUR to establish its national headquarters and training center at The Fort. The APP has taken an equity interest in The Fort.
“Pickleball has exploded because it is a truly gender and age neutral sport that creates a wonderful sense of community. The sport is easy to learn and players get better every time they play. It’s just a lot of fun and it’s fun to watch the pros!
The average age of a pickle baller is 34! The largest cohorts are 55+, 30 to 50 and the fastest growing segment is 17-34,” Rebecca Besser told us.
Watch for a Classic Chicago feature on the Besses and APP soon.
Renderings of The Fort (43 courts!)
Padel with beautiful Florida sunsets!
Julie Harron loves to play Padel outdoors at Padel Club in West Palm Beach, FL
Delray Tennis Open – Feb 7-16, 2025, Miami Tennis Open March 16-30, 2025: They wouldn’t miss it!”
Harron emphasised the many opportunities to get involved in service organizations and their events including WINGS in Miami which for 40 years has worked to break the cycle of domestic violence. Harron and Kubala were there for its inaugural luncheon recently.
The inaugural WINGS luncheon took place at the historic Miami Woman’s Club. Julie Harron, Alicia Cervera Lamadrid, Denise Brown, Rebecca Darr
Metris Bates-Coley, Rebecca Darr, Denise Brown, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, and Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindigall, Miami-Dade County School Board Member
“For those looking to relocate, South Florida presents a business-friendly environment with no state income tax, world-class real estate, and a thriving social and cultural scene. Now more than ever, people are choosing to make this their home—not just for the season, but for the endless possibilities it offers year-round.”
Harron and Alicia Cervera Lamadrid at the 1428 Brickell groundbreaking. One of the over 90 highrise buildings now under development
Alicia Cervera, Julie Harron, and Jennifer Keller at the 1428 Brickell Groundbreaking. One of the over 90 high-rise buildings currently under development.
A real estate executive with Jameson Sotheby’s in Chicago and Cervera in Palm Beach and Miami. Harron spoke about the South Florida real estate market:
Many new developments in West Palm Beach. Mr. C Residences Opening Party and need to check out The Berkeley and South Flagler House!
The 1428 Brickell Development team. One of the over 90 high-rise buildings currently under development.
“The Southeast Florida real estate market, spanning from Palm Beach to Miami, is experiencing significant growth and transformation. In Palm Beach County, single-family home sales have increased by 6.5% year-over-year, with median sale prices rising by 7.3%. In West Palm Beach alone, there are two dozen projects with nearly seven thousand units planned or under construction. including Mr C. Residences, The Berkeley, and South Flagler House. Miami is experiencing a significant construction boom, with over 90 high-rise buildings currently under development.
Harron and Kubala shared the following events and we can’t wait to get more South Florida picture postcards next month.
Events they are excited for:
Delray Tennis Open – Feb 7-16, 2025
Miami Boat Show Feb 12-16, 2025
Palm Beach Fashion Week March 7- March 18, 2025
Miami Tennis Open March 16-30, 2025
Palm Beach Boat Show March 19-23, 2025
Formula 1 Miami – May 2-4, 2025
Art Basel – Dec 5-7, 2025
