Ballen Isles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ballen Isles is a residential community located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Its country club contains some of the most famous golf courses in Florida.
Contents |
[edit] Geographical Area
The subdivision is bordered on the north by PGA Boulevard, on the east by Military Trail, the south by Northlake Boulevard, and the west by Florida's Turnpike.
[edit] Entrances and main roads
The main road of Ballen Isles is Ballen Isles Drive. The road stretches between the north entrance on PGA Boulevard, and the south entrance on Northlake Boulevard. The east entrance on Military Trail connects to Ballen Isles Drive via Holly Drive. The Mitlitary Trail entrance connect to Ballen Isles at Gardenia Road not at Holly Drive.
[edit] Neighborhoods and communities
The original development of Ballen Isles contained only the neighborhoods of Coral Cay, Crystal Bay, St. George Estates, and St. James. The next round of development and expansion saw the neighborhoods of Windward Cove and Emerald Key. The subdivision is now fully developed, with other neighborhoods including Estates of St. Thomas, Estates of St. Martin, Laguna, Palm Bay Club, Sunseta Cove, Arbor Chase, Coconut Key, Grand Palm, Grand Pointe, Grand Key Estates, Bermuda Bay, (full list needed).
BallenIsles Neighborhoods: Coral Cay, St. George Estates, Crystal Bay, St. James Estates, Windward Cove, Emerald Key, Grand Isle, Estates of St. Thomas, Cocquina Club, Cayman Isle, Vintage Isle, Sunset Bay, Sunset Cove, Coconut Key, San Marita, Bermuda Lakes, Sunesta Cove, Laguna, Palm Bay Club, Arbor Chase, Sabal Pointe, Island Cove, Victoria Bay, Banyan Isle, Windsor Pointe, Orchid Cay, The Palms, Estates of St. Edward, Grand Key Estates, Grand Pointe Estates, Grand Palm, San Marco, The Estates of St. Martin,
[edit] Local schools
There are no schools located within the subdivision's boundaries. The subdivision is served by schools in the Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter area.
[edit] High schools
- Palm Beach Gardens High School
- Dwyer High School
- Suncoast High School
- Alexander Dreyfoos School of the Arts
[edit] Middle schools
- Duncan Middle School
- Howell Watkins Middle School
- Bak Middle School of the Arts
[edit] Elementary schools
- Timber Trace Elementary School
[edit] Golf Courses
Ballen Isles is home to three 18-hole golf courses. The courses were originally commissioned by Palm Beach Gardens patron John D. MacArthur as the home of the Professional Golfers Association. The courses have hosted the World Cup Championship, PGA Championship, PGA Senior's Championship, and have been qualifying grounds for many golf legends on the PGA tour. The North and East courses were designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee, and the South course, recently redesigned by Gene Bates Golf Design, are reserved strictly for members and their guests.
[edit] Country club and tennis center
The country club at Ballen Isles is considered to be world class, though dated compared to recent counterparts in newer subdivisions. The club spans 72,000 square feet in the Grand Clubhouse complex, including a bar and grill room, private dining room, men's and women's locker rooms, card rooms, golf pro shop, and meeting rooms.
The nearby Tennis and Fitness Center, now separated from the clubhouse, has a 23-court tennis complex with viewing promenade, tennis pro shop, large swimming pool with sun/lounge deck, restaurant service, indoor fitness center with aerobics room, private massage rooms, saunas, and men's and women's locker rooms.
Both complexes are restricted to members and their guests, however both are commonly used by professional athletes in their fields for both practice and competition.
[edit] Other recreation
The tennis center at Ballen Isles features a full service gym, as well as some rudimentary spa and wellness facilities, however the spa facilities are lacking in comparison to the PGA National Spa facility nearby. The subdivision has several small playgrounds located in the southern half of development, as well as an outdoor exercise facility near the south gate with several circuit stretch stations and a running track. The tennis center has a swimming pool and hot tubs, while the clubhouse has a pool table in the men's locker room, and card room for women's bridge. Outside the development, the PGA park is near the south gate, and has soccer and track fields for public use. The Palm Beach Gardens Municipal Building park is located near the east gate and has baseball fields for public use as well as playground facilities, outdoor stretch stations, swimming pool, and a running track.
Ballen Isles is located within walking distance of the PGA Commons shopping and dining area and within a five minute drive from Downtown at the Gardens and the Gardens Mall shopping areas. To the north, the Abacoa shopping district is within 10 minutes drive. Legacy Place will soon be opening up nearby as well.
[edit] Notable residents
- Adele Siegler, co-founder of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University
- Venus Williams, professional tennis player
- Serena Williams, professional tennis player
- Bruce Fleisher, professional golf player
[edit] Average home prices
Home prices vary by neighborhood, but range from $275,000 to over $3 million at official sale. In resale, homes have sold for over $5 million. Home prices have been decreasing recently due to competition from neighboring Mirasol and Old Palm, both offering homes in similar to slightly higher price ranges.
